Art
‘Conception to completion in five days’; downtown Chatham, Ont. to be transformed with large art murals
Nine artists are coming to Chatham, Ont. this week to transform the look of the downtown.
“I’m sick and tired of having to leave my town to go find culture and art and large scale installations,” said artist Sarah Steele. “I think it’s time for our little small town to have something neat to happen”.
Steele took it upon herself to make that change and decided to create the C-K Can Jam which will see eight murals completed by the end of the week.
Inspired by the Track to the Mural Festival in 2022 in St. Thomas, and the Free for All Walls Festival in Windsor, Ont. Steele has brought in artists from North America and Australia to work in the downtown over the next five days.
One of those artists is Caesar Perez known as CZR PRZ from Chicago, Ill.
“I like coming out to traveling to different places and painting,” said Perez, an urban contemporary artist who will be spray painting a large wall at 168 King St W. “What I’m going to do, I’m really happy with. I’m painting a murder of crows, and Chatham is Crow City so it was inevitable”.
‘Star Child’ is a mural Caesar Perez aka ‘CZR PRZ’ painted in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (CZRPRZART/Instagram)
His work and the work of other artists are all within a short walking distance in the core.
“You’re seeing large scale pieces from conception to completion within five days,” said Steele.
“One of our biggest ones is the 65-foot fly tower at the Chatham Capital Theater. We have the Goldcoast building downtown. These are 300-square foot or more, large scale, beautifully done art pieces”.
Steele hopes that people come out and watch these artists at work during the course of the week.
With their close proximity Steele suggested it will be easy to walk with family or on a lunch break to see the talent of these artists.
The location of where nine artists will be painting eight murals at CK Can Jam in Chatham, Ont. from July 15-19, 2024 (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
Art can transform a community, and Perez has seen that first hand. He has worked on the Wynwood murals in Miami, Fla, and has watched the development in the area.
“Art should be inspiring,” said Perez, “I was at Wynwood, in Miami before it became huge. It is just a very popping neighborhood, but back in 2012, a bunch of us used to go out there, it was it was the absolute opposite. Now you see people walking at night in that area and with boutiques and coffee shops and that never happened before.”
Steele hopes to make this an annual event. “Maybe hit different townships, through Chatham-Kent, maybe have a summer of silos where we go and just do a whole bunch of silos every year,” said Steele. “I’m really excited for the future.”
![728x90x4](https://i.ibb.co/ZTzkrwT/728x90x4.jpg)
Art
Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Art
Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone
![](https://canadanewsmedia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Northern-Arts-Festival-2024-scrolling-banner-with-sponsors-for-website.jpg)
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
![728x90x4](https://i.ibb.co/ZTzkrwT/728x90x4.jpg)
Art
Ehiko: The Multidisciplinary Artist Shaping Decolonization Through Art
-
News24 hours ago
Air Canada pilots authorize strike for as soon as next month
-
News23 hours ago
Rail companies, union resume talks as lockout shuts down both major railways
-
Business9 hours ago
Canada moves to end rail shutdown quickly; CN, CPKC prepare to resume services
-
Sports20 hours ago
Penguins Acquire Rutger McGroarty from Jets in Exchange for Brayden Yager
-
News14 hours ago
Keegan Bradley goes from last man in to leading BMW Championship
-
News23 hours ago
Pickup truck hits and kills escaped horse in eastern P.E.I., police say
-
News24 hours ago
Home-sharing platform funded by N.S. government results in just 23 leases in a year
-
News24 hours ago
NATIONAL RAIL SHUT DOWN: SMALL BUSINESSES SAW IT COMING