Beyond the beaches

Wellington artists open their doors this weekend

In what has been described as a thriving community of creators, and a growing and flourishing one at that, the many artists and makers in the village of Wellington will fling open their doors this weekend. Eager to show their work after a forced break in the past year due to COVID-19, twelve local artists at 11 locations, plus two art galleries, will participate in the Wellington Art Walk this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (July 16, 17 and 18). While hours may vary slightly at individual locations, all will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The idea behind the self-guided art walk is an opportunity for the community to discover the many different artists and artisans in Wellington, all within just a couple of walkable blocks on and just beyond Main Street. A brochure is available at participating artist locations, as well as other locations throughout the village (Lakeshore Farms Market kiosk, SideStreet Gallery and the Drake Devonshire).

Acrylic painter Bill Hurst inside his tiny studio found at 17 MacDonald Street, is new to the Wellington Art Walk this year.

The one-of-a-kind offerings are beautiful, decorative, functional and superbly crafted; some are practical, others simply indulgent, but all are hand-crafted right here in Wellington. Think gift-giving, treat yourself, or just support a local artist because you chose to. While many of the participating artists are painters (oil, acrylic, watercolour, mixed media), this interesting group of Wellington artists also includes a clay artist, glass artists (of two very different kinds) and a textile artist among them. The two participating art galleries also offer a broad range of art pieces, including sculpture. “We have added more artists to the art walk this year and we have some that haven’t been featured before and are new to our group, so we encourage people to come out and see us,” says Laurie McRae, a participating fibre artist and oil painter. “This year, we have a nice blend of artists and artisans.”

McRae would like people, locals as well as visitors, to look beyond the beaches, and beyond just the downtown portion of Main Street and to take the time to walk a block or two further to explore what’s going on steps from downtown. The idea is to leave the car and to explore on foot what Wellington has to offer. McRae stresses there is a great density of friendly artists and artisans in close proximity, all worth a little exploration, especially after what can only be described as a very tough year for many, so she encourages folks to grab a coffee or a juice and begin the walk.

The Wellington Art Walk can of course be embarked in any order and there is no right or wrong starting place, but beginning at the far west end of Wellington at 17 MacDonald Street is acrylic painter Bill Hurst who joined the group last year. “I essentially concentrate on more urban landscape themes, but I’m starting to include people in that which is a logical extension,” says Hurst, who has an unusual painting style, one that is extraordinarily detailed. This retired architect also paints street scenes where he gets his inspiration from his travels, whether it’s Toronto, New York or Lisbon, but the County also shows up in his work, including the Millennium Trail. “Drawing buildings and street scenes are what I did for a living for a long, long time,” he says. Heading east, Dayna Law Art Gallery and Studio is at 358 Main Street; steps away at the corner of Consecon Street and Main Street is Renee Hiltz (333 Main Street). Heading up Consecon Street is Laurie McRae at Eilean Donan Studio at 66 Consecon Street, and Margaret McFetridge of Bloomin’ Barn Studio is located at 71 Consecon Street.

Second Avenue has Armstrong Glassworks with glass blower Mark Armstrong (326 Second Avenue) and almost next door is Pamela Carter Studio on 52 West Street. While Wellington Pottery is no more and is not participating in the walk this year, for those who follow David Drown’s work, David Drown Pottery has a small selection of work available at Armstrong Glassworks.

Continuing on Niles Street is Judy Taylor at the Spotted Zebra Studio (290 Niles Street) offering a unique selection of small gifts. “She has expanded and was doing alcohol ink tiles in glorious colours, but she is now creating paintings using the same medium,” explains McRae. “They are not just abstract tiles, they are impressionistic paintings and she is doing some incredible things with digital photography now.”

Two doors from Judy Taylor at 282 Niles Street are Michelle Kosoy and Pierre Bouchard, Clay and Glass Studio. “Michelle is a potter and her pottery is very delicate and detailed, and Pierre Bouchard is a glass artist but it is fused glass, it is not blown glass like Mark Armstrong,” McRae explains. “Pierre’s work is highly decorative, but very interesting as he takes pieces of glass and puts it in very high temperature in a kiln, and the glass fuses together and the parts become a single unit.” Kosoy says they have both done this for 30 years. “Pierre is a glass artist, but he does not blow glass; he does everything but, such as fusing, casting, sandblasting,” adds Kosoy.

From Niles Street, heading down Wharf Street you come to Sybil Frank Gallery (305 Main Street) and heading east, you will find SideStreet Gallery (264 Main Street). “Sybil Frank Gallery is thrilled to be joining the amazing artisans in Wellington for this year’s Wellington Art Walk,” said owner Craig Alexander. “Due to the challenges we all faced this year, Sybil Frank has decided this year’s new collection will boast vibrant, colourful, happy pieces so people can experience a lot of happy,” Alexander said. Continuing a little further east is Joanna McFarland Garden Gallery and Studio at 233 Main Street. Carol Gander of Beach Street Studio is the farthest location to the east at 22 Beach Street.

Each participating artist location is identified by a bright green bicycle positioned outside their property signalling they are part of the art walk. With artist studios closed for much of the last 16 months, and interaction with the public limited or non-existent during that time, local artists are eager to welcome the public back to their studios and creative spaces and appreciate any support from their community, as well as those just passing through. “We would like to put last year behind us, and now that 77 per cent of County residents are vaccinated, we are all feeling much more comfortable,” McRae says. “We we are not abandoning safety protocols, as full protocols will be in place, but we feel a little more comfortable greeting the public.”