Inverness County “Show Off Students” – In 10 years…
May 5 – May 26
The Centre’s annual student exhibition will be themed “In 10 years…” as we mark the 10th anniversary of The Inverness County Centre for the Arts. All students from Inverness county are invited to participate. The suggested theme is to provoke youth on how they see the future in any aspect through any art from, whether it be visual, written, digital, craft or so forth. The exhibition’s objective is to celebrate student artwork.
The Celtic Quilt Guild
May 31 – June 23
Over 26 quilt artists from the region will display their textile exhibition in the Centre’s inner and outer galleries. The Guild is composed of both professional and community artists.
Members’ Show – Hands Dancing
June 28 – July 28
An annual unjuried member artist show of both professional and community artists. There is a great variety in art and skill involved in this ‘crowd favorite’. An Art Auction on July 26 near the end of the exhibition period will include works from the Hands Dancing exhibition. All proceeds will go to support the Inverness County Centre for the Arts.
Cape Breton Youth Artists – Under 30
August 2 – August 25
The next generation of Cape Breton Artists under 30 years old will come together and perhaps even come home for this exhibition. The artists’ mediums include paintings, pottery, photography, and quilting. Exhibiting artists are: Gillian Lake-Thompson, Corey Katz, Sarah Cheetham, Stephen Rankin, Laura Walzak, Julien AuCoin, Kelsey Watson, Gwendolyn Aker, Adara MacDonald, Caitlyn Eisenhaur, Haley MacPhee and Amanda MacInnis.
Steven Rhude – Finding Nova Scotia
August 30 – September 29
A valued artist for over twenty years, he has steadily pursued his vision of vernacular imagery with an imposing strategy. Set in unconventional situations, Steven employs familiar coastal icons such as the maritime dory and lighthouse, to elbow his way into the viewers’ mental space. Once there, these objects seem isolated by the long shadow of urbanism, suggesting casualties of coastal life. Although based on real places, Rhude considers the settings in his paintings as ficticious – intended to evoke a cultural or political perspective. Aided by his use of realism and the modernist canon, Steven’s imagery can leave one wondering what the protagonist’s strengths really are and whether the object viewed has more than just utilitarian characteristics. Along with humor, a narative is present in Steven’s work and questions remain in the viewer’s mind like the residue of a ghostly presence.
Ingrid Sanborn – The Eastern Edge: Cape Breton and Massachusetts
August 30 – September 29
For Ingrid Sanborn, pastels and sumi-e are her favored mediums of expression using nature as her inspiration. Sumi-e is a Japanese word meaning “ink picture”. Both the Chinese and Japanese are orginators and masters of this ancient art form. She calls her work Americam Sumi-e because she does not try to copy oriental style work, flowers, bamboo, etc. Ingrid lives on the American east coast through the winter and our island throughout the summer.
Firehouse Ironworks – Fire & Iron: Art from the Forge
October 4 – October 27
Grant Harverstock said, “Whenever you’re passionate about what you do, it evolves into art.” That’s just what’s happening at his Firehouse Ironworks shop in Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia. Firehouse Ironworks specializes in the fabrication and training of heritage craft blacksmithing. From crafting eel spears for Mi’kmaq fishermen to pot racks, wine racks and hat racks- the pieces are utilitarian and beautiful. Grant Haverstock and his esteemed colleague John Mason will showcase their work along with students’ pieces that John, a fourth generation metal crafter, has been instructing at the Firehouse.
The Colourblind Collective – Show #1
October 4 – October 27
This group of Inverness County artists have been painting together for a number of years. They meet weekly during the winter to paint and discuss art, often joined by visiting artists. Although these artists have all shown before, this will be their first time exhibiting as a group. Artists of the Colourblind Collective include: Colonel MacLellan, Terry MacDonald, Dave MacGregor, AJ. AuCoin, Virginia McCoy and Tom Ryan.