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Paintings, music come together in student art exhibit

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The walls are singing at Lynnwood Arts in Simcoe.  

The gallery is lined with 130 paintings created by Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board students from Grades 2 to 12. 

This is an exhibit that’s a feast for the eyes – and the ears. 

Each student was assigned a Canadian song and asked to interpret it through their artwork. 

The paintings are labelled with QR codes that link it to the corresponding song on Spotify or another audio streaming provider. Viewers are encouraged to bring their headphones and devices to the gallery to take a look – and listen. 

“On opening night, I saw people dancing and talking,” said Chris Rait, an arts consultant with the school board who curated the exhibit. “People didn’t want to leave. 

“Songs bring back memories for people of so many things: their first dance, their first concert. It becomes a talking point. It creates this conversation in the gallery room I don’t think happens with other art shows.” 

Rait said he spent significant time selecting a wide range of Canadian songs so he wouldn’t get “100 people doing Call Me Maybe” (a huge pop hit for Mission, B.C.’s Carly Rae Jepsen in 2012). 

Among the genres he picked are old Maritime folk, pop, rock, heavy metal, kids’ music, even Christmas tunes.

Mike McDonald, director of education for the Catholic school board, who is known to be a musicophile, provided Rait with a long list of his personal selections.  

“I wanted music from different eras and genres,” said Rait. “I asked my mom and dad for suggestions (one of their choices was Paul Anka’s 1960 hit Puppy Love). It became a thing in the staff room. Teachers would start shouting out songs.” 

Rait assigned songs to three students known for their artistic abilities at each of the board’s schools and they were provided the same supplies: an acrylic paint set, a 10-by-10 canvas, and brushes.  

All identically framed, Rait said there is a cohesiveness to the exhibit despite the works’ vastly different subjects and styles. Among them are landscape and abstract pieces, portraits and animation. 

“Every time I walk into the room, I see something new,” said Rait.  

Rachel Guddemi, a Grade 12 student at St. John’s College, chose the song Always by Canadian R&B singer Daniel Caesar to inspire her painting.  

“His song reminded me about loneliness, maybe breakups, someone rejected,” she said. “I painted a guy on a bench downtown. It’s raining and he’s all alone. It’s black and white, which makes everything more sad.” 

Kayla Blackwell, a Grade 7 student at St. Gabriel’s Elementary in Brantford, got her paintbrush moving to Crabbuckit by the harmonious Canadian folk/country trio Good Lovelies. 

“I figure skate to the song,” said Kayla, who painted a vivid beach scene featuring a large red crab. “I like it because it has an old feel to it. It’s very energetic and makes me feel happy.” 

Members of the Good Lovelies aren’t just subjects but among several Canadian singer/songwriters who also submitted their work to the exhibit. The others are Lawrence Gowan, who painted a footprint to accompany one of his best-known pop songs, 1985’s (You’re A) Strange Animal, when the singer was known by just his surname; children’s entertainer Fred Penner. whose painting accompanies the classic kids’ tune The Cat Came Back; and local folk musician and visual artist Ian Bell. 

Some Catholic board staff also contributed, including Anne-Marie Duwyn-Zylstra, whose mournful portrait of a woman accompanies Burton Cummings’ These Eyes. 

“I love how it incorporates Canadian musical talent with the students’ artistic talents,” said Duwyn-Zylstra said of the exhibit. “It’s a really cool concept – listening to a song as you see it.” 

These Walls Can Sing will be on exhibit at Lynnwood Arts, 21 Lynnwood Ave. in Simcoe, throughout January. Then the paintings will be auctioned with proceeds going to the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul.  

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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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