Art
'Vodka for butter': The art of bartering for food in snow-covered St. John's – National Post
By Prajwala Dixit
Before grocery stores reopened in snow-covered St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, locals took to the age-old, yet ingenious way of surviving — bartering.
Faced with shuttered stores for four days and a state of emergency there was little else people could do.
When Andie Bulman, a chef and caterer with the Artist Cafe, wanted to make some blueberry crumble, she put a post on Facebook asking for butter and brown sugar, in exchange for top-quality tonic water. However, exchanging alcohol seemed to garner the most success.
“I’ve been doing dry January, so I mostly used my booze as leverage,” Bulman said. “I traded vodka for butter, gin for butter, rum for butter.”
Bulman wasn’t alone. Many people in the provincial capital region of nearly 180,000 were caught off guard by the storm that virtually shut down the city. That’s why there were massive queues to get into stores when they finally reopened. Even with the city advising people to buy enough food for 48 hours – some were too daunted to wait in line and others, by the time they made it to the stores, found some shelves practically empty.
Hence the bartering done in person and through social media may continue. Cigarettes, beer, and chips quickly became storm currency during the past few days.
Lea Mary Movelle posted to a Facebook group making an earnest request for toilet paper in exchange for alcohol.
“We’ve been lucky enough that it’s the only thing we’ve run low on, and the community quickly rallied to get us several rolls,” she said. “Most people didn’t even want our booze! The offer is still good though.”
It’s really important to make sure that everyone is taken care of
With plenty of alcohol and weed exchanging hands, some expect there could be a mini baby boom in nine months time. However, contraceptives were also bartered for, so that may not come to pass.
A post by Kathryn Burke on Facebook about bartering led to a seemingly timely save. When she learned a wheelchair-bound woman living in a senior’s complex was running low on her diabetic pills, she set out to help. Several phone calls and social media messages later, a bag of chocolates, veggies and sausages were delivered to assist her out until she could get her pills.
What many have realized is how precarious island living can be – especially if supplies aren’t available.
It didn’t take long for Steph Power who is part of the St. John’s food-sharing co-op Stone Soup to realize people in her neighbourhood were looking for goods. Baby formula, over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol and Advil, and menstrual supplies were all in demand. And, of course, so was food – namely milk and eggs.
A resident shovels snow in St. John’s on Jan. 19, 2020, following a major storm.
Aware that not everyone was comfortable asking for help publicly, the ad-hoc group, which formed during the state of emergency, put a bin full of non-perishables such as pasta, canned food and cereal out on a snowbank on the corner of Barter’s Hill and Cabot Street downtown with a sign that said: ‘Take some or leave some.’ The contents were quickly snapped up.
“I think in a time of crisis it’s really important to make sure that everyone is taken care of, regardless of if you know them or not,” Power said.
More bins have since popped up across the city becoming tangible displays of communal support and reminders of the insecurity of living on an island.
Meanwhile, about 450 troops continue to dig the city and region out.
Most businesses other than groceries stores in St. John’s were directed to remain closed on Tuesday, with exceptions for gas stations and some pharmacies. The city said it would allow the St. John’s International Airport to resume flights Wednesday at 5 a.m.
Some grocery stores will also open during the day again, enabling people to stock up on necessities and bartering goods until the state of emergency is lifted.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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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.
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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