Froid'Art puts Kingston artists on ice - Queen's Journal | Canada News Media
Connect with us

Art

Froid'Art puts Kingston artists on ice – Queen's Journal

Published

 on


If you walk downtown this month, you might notice a series of ice-encased paintings have cropped up in local businesses’ storefronts.

Jan. 17 marks the first day of Froid’Art, an event that David Dossett, owner of Martello Alley in downtown Kingston, has been organizing for the past six years.

The outdoor ice exhibit consists of 21 paintings—made on plexiglass—that are individually encased in 300-pound ice enclosures and scattered throughout Kingston. The frozen art is painted mostly by artists who show their work at Martello gallery and can be found in front of Trailhead, Tara Natural Foods, and NORTHSIDE Espresso + Kitchen, to name a few. The point of the show is to be a walking art exhibit that people can follow along with. The event will continue until Kingston’s below-freezing temperatures give way to warmer weather.

The exhibit—inspired by his wife, who enjoys taking walks downtown—is meant to bring color to what Dossett refers to as the gray “Limestone City.” But what Dossett enjoys most about the event is, quite simply, the people.

“I love to see the faces of the people when they’ve discovered [the paintings],” Dossett said in a phone interview with The Journal. “It’s amazing how you can make such a big impact with such a simple idea.”

People have come from other provinces to see the ice displays—and for good reason. The event’s popularity has stretched far beyond just Kingston. The city of Lacombe, Alberta, is even hosting their very own Froid’Art-inspired ice sculpture exhibit this year, showcasing high school students’ art.

You can’t get the full effect of the exhibit without seeing it in person. Froid’Art is meant to be an immersive experience, encouraging its viewers to get their blood flowing and interact with Kingston’s historic downtown and local businesses, while also bringing some color to the streets.

“When you see [the art] up close, you think, ‘Oh my god it’s just amazing,’” said Dossett.

While online photos certainly don’t do the sculptures justice, they’re a viable option if you live outside of Kingston and still want to join in on the fun. Photos can be found on the Martello Alley Facebook page or Instagram account.

Despite the event’s popularity, there are still people living in Kingston who haven’t heard of Froid’Art. That’s why Dossett wants people who attend to invite their friends and share the event as much as possible. He wants everyone to have a chance to enjoy it.

The gallery owner wants to spread more awareness of the event among students in particular.

“A lot of Queen’s students, you know how busy they are, they’re studying and then they’ll go to the pub. But they may not see [the paintings] because of everything they’re focusing on.”

One appeal for students is that it’s free to attend, and it’s right downtown—minimal travel necessary. Martello Alley’s Facebook page offers a downloadable map of the various locations, or you can stop by the alley in person for a physical copy. The map lists the location of each piece, along with its name and artist. With the map in hand, people can take a self-guided walking tour of the exhibit to admire the work.

By night, the sculptures are lit up. The combination of the lights and the snow is, according to Dossett, the best part.

“That’s probably the best thing, when you see them, all lit up at night. It’s indescribable,” he said

Describing the first ice-encased art they ever put up, Dossett explained, “We moved it over, covered it in snow, and turned on the lights, and it was like magic.” 

Let’s block ads! (Why?)



Source link

Continue Reading

Art

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

Published

 on


[unable to retrieve full-text content]

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



Source link

Continue Reading

Art

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

Published

 on

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.

Source link

Continue Reading

Art

Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

Published

 on

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.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version