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Crunch time coming for Coast Art Crawl – Coast Reporter

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The organizers of the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl face the biggest decision in the event’s decade-long history: Do they hope for a continuing flattening of B.C.’s pandemic curve and proceed with the Art Crawl this October, or call it off? 

The Coast Cultural Alliance (CCA), the non-profit group that organizes the lucrative Coast-wide project, has sought opinions on the matter from 265 vendors involved in last year’s Art Crawl. The CCA asked them to fill out a five-question, multiple-choice survey and submit it by May 30. 

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A key question was, “At this time, how do you feel about participating in the 2020 Art Crawl?” Possible answers included, “definite yes, but not in my own home,” “definite yes in my studio/home working with October Provincial Health Guidelines,” “definite no,” and “maybe.” 

Linda Williams, the CCA board member who takes the lead on the Art Crawl, told Coast Reporter that most replies were yet to come in and, while there were many positive responses, the interim results were inconclusive. Williams added that there were several suggestions as to how to make the Art Crawl work and keep everyone safe, so she remains positive the Oct. 23 to 25 event might happen. 

Williams said the traditional July 15 deadline for vendors to sign up and pay fees could be extended another few weeks to provide as much time as possible for an informed decision. Reminders are usually sent out to vendors in June. “But if we have enough [survey responses] that are ‘definitely no,’ we won’t put that call out,” Williams said. 

Purple Banners, seen from Langdale to Lund, signal that artists are at work and their creations are for sale. – RIK JESPERSEN PHOTO

Calling off the event would be another blow to hundreds of local artists, already suffering from a lack of studio visits due to ongoing concern about the spread of COVID-19. Last year’s Art Crawl generated more than $450,000 in direct sales. And, like the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts and the Rogue Arts Festival, both held in August and both cancelled this year, the Art Crawl attracts many off-Coast visitors who spend on accommodation, food and other goods and attractions. The absence of that spending would be felt across much of the Coast economy. 

The CCA board has another task to complete before the Art Crawl decision is made – completing the 2020-21 Purple Banner brochure and map. The online and hard-copy guides are an effective marketing tool for arts studios and galleries from Langdale to Lund. The banners – purple flags emblazoned with a white eye-icon – can hang off participating businesses year-round. “Wherever you see a Purple Banner, the arts are at work. In many cases, but not always, the banner is an invitation to drop in,” the CCA says in its publicity. Unlike the Art Crawl, vendors’ information in the guide can specify that would-be visitors must call ahead, so studio owners can specify a time and prepare for visits, important in this time of plague. 

Williams noted that, while the Art Crawl is a hugely important, three-day event, the Purple Banner Guide is in distribution, and paying potential dividends, for 12 months. “If artists and vendors definitely don’t want to go into the Art Crawl, the Purple Guide is another opportunity for them,” Williams said. About 20,000 brochures are printed every year. The deadline for inclusion is usually May, but that also has been extended for one month. You can lean more about the Purple Banner program at the CCA’s website, suncoastarts.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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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.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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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.

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