THE MARKHAM GROUP OF ARTISTS NEWSLETTER | JULY 2020
"Creativity is Intelligence having fun" Albert Einstein
RECENT ACTIVITIES + UPCOMING EVENTS
PLEIN AIR: Weekly Sessions Continue Next session Thursday July 16th, Stouffville
Even with July 9th being one of the hottest days of the year, eight hardy Plein Air artists braved the heat to sketch and paint at Milne Dam. It was quite amazing how many people were out walking and cycling along the path over the dam and fishing in the pond. It was a day for mostly sketching as we didn’t stay too long, leaving around 11:30. Edward has suggested we meet at 9 am during this hot weather. So please take note of our change of time.
On July 16th I will meet you in Stouffville at the GO station parking lot at Edward and Rupert Streets behind the Schell Country Depot. Stouffville has many heritage houses to paint and the streets are well shaded with big old trees. There are original buildings on Main Street, Second, Rupert, and if you go south off Main Street on O’Brien. Please feel free to include friends and family as our Plein Air meetings are open to all, members and non-members. See you on Thursday!
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PEERING IN: Bi-Weekly Zoom Peer Critique Next critique Wednesday July 22 @ 7:30pm
Every other Wednesday night artists are invited to join in the Peer Zoom critique. They will share art that they’ve been working on and will get supportive and constructive feedback! Let us know you plan to attend by the Sunday before and submit your one painting to Lynn Ross at rossld@me.comby the Monday before the critique (late artists will be added to the next critique in the following two weeks.)
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WINDOWS OPEN: Juried Virtual Art Show in August
OPEN CALL for all Toronto and GTA artists For the first time in MGA history, we are hosting a juried show this summer that is open to ALL artists in Toronto and the GTA. The show will be featured on our website’s online gallery and promoted on our Instagram and Facebook sites. Submissions must be original drawing, painting, printmaking or mixed media created within the last two years. We’re honoured to have juror Suzanne Metz to select the show pieces and award winners. Over $500 in prizes. A Call for Entry will be sent out very soon with more details.
OPEN CALL FOR ENTRY:July 20 SUBMISSION DATES: August 7-14, 2020 JURYING:August 15-19; accepted artists will be notified by email August 21 SHOW DATES: August 22 – Sept. 25, 2020 REGISTRATION FEE (2 pieces): $20 members; $25 non-members
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MORGAN POOL MOSAIC: we're almost there!
The mosaic artwork for Morgan Pool is in the final stages of production, and is looking fantabulous! Finishing touches are being applied and panels assembled together this week while waiting for the custom frame to arrive. The newly renovated facility will be opened around end of July, subject to construction progress. At this stage, only the pool will be available to the public and no opening ceremony is scheduled but hopefully we can all celebrate the anniversary of this wonderful project together next summer. The talented participants are all owed big hugs and pats on the back.
Plaque inscription: The Markham Group of Artists, in collaboration with the Markham Village Conservancy, present “COMING UP ROSES” to the City of Markham to mark the opening of the reconstructed Morgan Park and Pool Building. This mosaic commemorates the efforts of the Markham Horticultural Society’s 1924 planting of the Markham Rose Garden which was eventually home to 1000+ species of roses that drew tourists from far and wide. The Morgan Park Pool was built on the site of the Rose Garden in 1957 by the Markham Lions’ Club. The artwork was completed during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the summer of 2020, a challenging feat due to its collaborative nature. It was created by twenty members of the MGA who wove their various styles and experience into a cohesive image. The piece celebrates the contribution of the past to the prosperity of the future.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE:Visual Arts Finalists
On July 1st, the Varley announced the Visual Arts finalists of the Markham Creates Community Challenge. 77 individual applications were received from all over the City and beyond. Congratulations to Celeste Cameron, Philippa Hajdu, Linda K. Picerno, Carter Tam and Suki Zhang who will receive feedback and mentoring from artist John Abrams, Varley Curator Anik Glaude and Director Niamh O’Laoghaire.
The MGA is generously offering a free 2020/21 membership to each of the five winners, one of which has already been with the group for several years —
Philippa was born in England moving to Canada with her parents at age 11. After graduating with honours from the drawing and painting department at OCAD she continued to study drawing in Montreal at Ecole des Beaux Arts. and sculpture in London with Anthony Caro at St Martin’s School of Art. She is a photo based mixed media artist, focusing mainly on the figure generally working in a series. Currently acrylic collage is her medium of choice.
She is a member of the Society of York Region Artists, the Markham Group of Artists , Georgina Art Centre and CARFAC Ontario. She has shown widely throughout the Greater Toronto area. Her work can be seen in both group and solo shows throughout North America and the U. K.
About her winning submissions, Philippa writes "As soon as we became locked down in March, I began a series of paintings via Zoom with the co-operation of model Steve Pietrzyk. I do one each week during a 3 hour session. Prior to the session I collage on a background /underpainting using papers collected over the years. I love texture and colour and working from the figure."
ONLINE OFFERINGS
Perspective Drawing Course Watch and follow along with Aaron Blaise as he teaches you perspective drawing. Aaron demonstrates in real time his approach to one point perspective drawing, 2 point, 3 point and more. He explains basic and advanced drawing techniques.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Aaron has nearly 30 years of professional art experience. He was hired by Walt Disney in 1989 and spent 21+ years helping create films such as: “The Lion King”, “Pocahontas”, “Mulan” and more. You can follow Aaron and see more of his art on Instagram. You can also see videos of his work on YouTube or follow him on Facebook.
