Social Painting evenings are finally
 here,

just in time for the holiday cheer!!!!

The Art Gallery of Lambeth is proud to be the first gallery in London to introduce step-by-step social painting nights for adults, children, and families. A night out on the town in London is often a movie and a dinner, bowling, or the same old night scene.  Why not try something new and totally different?  The Art Gallery of Lambeth is now offering this new and inspirational programme where you will not only enjoy a night of culture and fun, but you will also get to take home a personal piece of art YOU created under the instruction of one of our professional artists!

The Step-by-Step paintings and session dates will be available online at www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/art_programs/stepbystep  There are a variety of themes and styles of painting to choose from on our calender.  Some specialty themes include;

 Painting and Wine Pairing where we ‘paint a picture that suits the wine’;

 ‘Date Night Special’ where you and your date paint individual canvases that, when finished, combine to make the piece of art;

 ‘Family Painting’ where the entire family collaborates to create the painting which will most certainly become a symbol of togetherness when hung in your home.  

 The Kids step-by-step instruction will focus on the enjoyment of painting, creativity, and fun while learning painting techniques.   Some of the adult evening painting sessions also permit parents to bring their children, aged nine and above, to enjoy a night of bonding, creating, and painting alongside their parent. 

The Art Gallery has made it easy to participate for even the busiest family.  There is no long term commitment, you just sign up at least one day in advance, show up on the day that is convenient for you, and enjoy!  You can come back many times and learn various techniques and styles at your convenience.  The sessions are two to three hours in length and the painting is completed and ready for hanging by the end of the evening. 

This experience is also made easy for any pocket book.  A fun filled night of art instruction, materials and a new piece of art to hang in your home, the price is right starting at twenty dollars per session.

Gift Certificates are available and a perfect Christmas gift for any aspiring artist on your list.

We  wish you a creative holiday season,

Art Gallery of Lambeth,

Vivian Tserotas & Brenda Colley

Introducing Anita Wood

We are please to welcome our newest Resident Artist, Anita Wood, to the Art Gallery of Lambeth. Anita will be joining our little group of Artists starting November and for the 2013 year.

Although art was always a big part of her life, Anita's career was not that of an artist, but in accounting and teaching computer applications. This was an easy and natural career and allowed Anita time to pursue her interest in art as well.

After she sold her accounting practice she was able to devote all of her time to her true passion of art. She has studied with many great artists like Zolton Szabo, Arleta Pech, Roland Roycraft and Nita Engle. This, Anita believes, is the reason she has been able to truyly enjoy her art journey and find her voice.

After dabbling with several meduims, Anita decided that she needed to be more focused. For several years she was truly a "Transparent Watercolour Artist"

In Anita's own words:

"Throughout my journey, my art and my heart have grown. Now I find the beautiful challenges in Acrylics and Mixed Media along with my love of traditional transparent watercolour. I am not sure when painting took over my life, but I know that every day feels like I have just begun!"

Anita now teaches as a big part of her art career. She enjoys teaching workshops and weekly classes. She teaches in both Florida and Southern Ontario.

Anita has had the honour to have had solo shows and to have won several awards in juried art shows. She also has paintings in private collections throughout Canada, part of the US, Ireland and France.

It’s Christmas in November

Time has flown and the Gallery has grown in reputation and spirit. The Art Gallery of Lambeth is hosting their 3^rd annual Christmas Show and Sale this Friday November 16^th from 7-10pm. The little gallery, so neatly tucked away in the Westminster Plaza off Main Street in Lambeth, has become well known for their high quality art collections and their community endeavors. This November the Gallery’s art show and sale will be part of some larger festivities that same evening.

The Art Gallery of Lambeth is co-hosting the second annual ‘Light Up Lambeth’ celebration in partnership the Lambeth Community Association, Jaydancin and the sponsorship of the Lambeth businesses. The family friendly events all take place on the premises where both the Art Gallery and Jaydancin are situated. Vivian Tserotas and Brenda Colley, the Art Gallery of Lambeth owners, have teamed up with Geoff Faul from the Lambeth Community Association to help organize an event that will be promoting the spirit of community, family, giving and, of course, Christmas.

At the Art Gallery you will enjoy an art show and sale which includes thirty five of the London area’s finest artists. The show features art of all different mediums including painting, textiles, photography, mixed media, and sculpture. The gift boutique is stocked with handcrafted jewellery, one of kind glass work, note cards, and much more. Enjoy a beverage and snacks while you gaze upon the art and listen to the live music.

 

Watch Lambeth light up when the Lambeth street lights and Christmas lights are ignited and then enjoy the crisp night air with hot chocolate, caroling, and a visit from the old man himself, Santa Claus!
Jaydancin is celebrating the Christmas cheer with their doors open event where you will find handmade natural and organic cosmetics and soaps. Come in and warm up with some of their very own warm and delicious beverages.

The “Light up Lambeth” event will take place in the Westminster plaza on Main Street in Lambeth. Both The Art Gallery of Lambeth and Jaydancin are established there. The event is free but please consider bringing a gift of non-perishable food, which will be distributed to families in need at the Southdale Chaplaincy.

The event is to take place this Friday November 16^th starting at 6:30 pm. The Art Gallery of Lambeth’s opening reception for the Christmas in November show will be open until 10pm.

The event is located at 2454 Main Street in the Westminster Plaza right in Lambeth.

Everyone is welcome to come celebrate Christmas with the Art Gallery of Lambeth, Jaydancin, and the community of Lambeth in our beautiful little village. See you there!

"Opal Hills" - Connected Arts' Project

PhiLiP s. SchMidT, JUDY ROSS & HIGHLANDER STUDIOS TEAM UP TO CREATE A 'CONNECTED ARTS' TRANSCENDENCE

PhiLiP s. SchMidT's 'connected arts' vision was borne out of his immersion in the twin worlds of the Woodstock Camera Club and the St. Thomas-Elgin Artists Guild.

 

 

 He began to realize how important it is for ALL artisans, including:

• Photographers
• Painters
• Sculptors
• Musicians
• Poets & Storytellers
• Multi-Media Specialists

To stand side by side in a culture that has become increasingly toxic to the arts & to the humanities.

One magical summer's day, Philip & his wife Jackie hiked into the Opal Hills of Jasper National Park. His photograph of the sweeping expanse of verdant green at the top of the treeline remains one of his favourites.

Fellow Art Gallery of Lambeth resident artist JUDY ROSS took up the challenge to interpret Philip's Opal Hills image.....

Utilizing not just one, but two different artistic mediums:

• A riveting acrylic painting into which she mixed "at least 25 shades of green"

• A customized necklace that she adroitly strung together with - wait for it - opal beads.

In Judy's own words:

"I was compelled to paint 'Opal Hills'. I was drawn in by its vastness and grandeur, as captured 'at the top' so magnificently by Philip. Although erosion is evident in areas, nature ultimately wins out and the lushness rebounds in all its splendour.

"My jeweled artwork consists primarily of natural green opals, together with multi-gemstones & glass, to bring together the final connection of our images."

And then, the crowning touch:

TED McLAUCHLIN of Highlander Studios in Woodstock employed his incomparable framing wizardry to consolidate & frame these individual components:

• Philip's photograph
• Judy's acrylic painting
• Judy's necklace

Into a single striking transcendent piece.

Philip, Judy & Ted wish to thank Vivian Tserotas & Brenda Colley, the gracious curators of the Art Gallery of Lambeth, for so enthusiastically embracing this unique 'connected arts' vision.....

And providing such a beautiful venue in which to showcase it.

The 'Opal Hills' piece is currently being offered for sale as part of the Art Gallery of Lambeth's 'Christmas in November' show, which runs until January 5, 2013.

www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/represented/resident_artists/schmidt.html

www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/represented/resident_artists/ross.html

https://www.facebook.com/highlanderstudio

Judy Ross

What Escaping means to me –

Escaping is not to run from but to embrace reality, either by physically being in a special place or to be transported to that place in your mind where there is peace, solitude and renewing of spirit, to return refreshed. This space can be via travel, where my camera is a constant companion, absorbed in a painting, or simply snuggled up in a chair with a good book to read or composing a poem in a quiet moment. One of my recent art pieces actually involves incorporating one of my poems and photographs together to show one of my interpretations of "Escaping".

written by:
Judy Ross Resident Artist

Art Gallery of Lambeth

Marianne Morris

For me, music is the ultimate escape. It sets the tone, influences the mood... changing the soundtrack can change everything. My "Escape" paintings are a series of musicians, playing alone or in a group, interpretive but not portraits. I try to reflect how picking up an instrument can make you lose yourself... how the music, the musician and the instrument are each a part of the same whole.
Each canvas starts with a photograph and a piece of music. The backgrounds are painted intuitively, the soundtrack providing the inspiration. I use whatever tool strikes me in the moment: sometimes paint is applied with a brush, but often it is my hands, a kitchen utensil, or a pastel used to create the marks. The photograph is used for reference as the musician emerges from the background, final touches adding the details to the figure. I choose a title reflective of the initial musical inspiration.

written by:

Marianne Morris

Resident Artist • Art Gallery of Lambeth

Gayle Yanch

For this show I have been working on images from a trip I  made to Canyon Lake Ontario. I have selected a few images of my trip that I hope to use to create a collection of works. Since working on these pieces it has ispired me to create more landscapes, work in mixed media and smaller sizes. I have always loved working with pen & ink and watercolor so I decided to combine the 2 styles and just enjoy the moment, refrain from too much detail and scale down the size. I use Windsor Newton 140lb. cold press watercolor paper, rapidograph refillable pens, and watercolor paints.  After I have cut the paper to the approx. size I tape it to a board and wet the board down with clean water. This process allows to rid of the sizing put on the paper and stretches the paper to help with buckling if I use too many washes. After the paper dries I transfer my rough sketch onto the paper and begin with any washes needed and then with my pen & ink. As long as I have my ideas together I have no fear of what happens when I start on the paper.

You have asked what does "Escape" mean to me? To me it is my time away into my little world of art. It is my time I am able to relax, be at piece and just let my mind wonder. Whether it be out photographing reference material for a project someday, sketching ideas for the next piece of artwork or just dabbling away at my drafting table it is my time for relaxing and tuning out the world around me. 

written by:

Gayle Yanch

Resident Artist • Art Gallery of Lambeth

Melissa Kempf

“Escaping The Current” 

Connected Arts Project 
                    by
Philip Schmidt & Melissa Kempf

In this project the Harlequin duck escapes its surroundings as shown in Philip Schmidt’s photograph through a three dimensional reflection in soapstone by Melissa Kempf.  This Connected Arts Project explores the similarities between 2D and 3D visual art with their use of fundamental elements such as colour, line, texture.  It exemplifies how two artists see one subject so uniquely individual.  For Kempf “Escaping The Current” not only represents the action of the subject matter, but also that of the artists.  Both have created a piece in very different medium with an emphasis on exploring the connection from one work to another.  One element draws on the other, side by side. Schmidt’s Harlequin ducks rest safely from the rushing waters around them.  Stone like and confident in their own actions.  Contrastingly, Kempf’s duck depicts the weaker and more vulnerable side.  One in which the subject’s surroundings have nearly taken over.  In her work some areas are un-definable as to what is the current and what is not.  Special thank you to John Novak for the creation of the stand which units the two works of art.

One subject, two artists - Two expressions of art, One Connected Arts Project.

written by:
Melissa Kempf
Resident Artist
 Art Gallery of Lambeth

PhiLiP s. SchMidT

My 'connected arts' vision was borne out of an immersion in the twin worlds of camera clubs & artists' guilds. I began to realize how important it is for photographers, painters, sculptors, musicians & poets to stand united in a culture that has become increasingly toxic to the arts & the humanities. The theme of the autumn showcase of the associate members of the Art Gallery of Lambeth is 'Escape'. The gallery's curators couldn't have chosen a more appropriate title. My talented artisan colleagues wish to rekindle a sense of wonder in the lives of those who come into contact with their artworks, & thus provide an 'escape' from the soul-deadening contrivance that surrounds us. An oasis of beauty in the desert of our media-drenched culture, if you will. Award-winning sculptor Melissa Kempf has conspired with me to take my 'connected arts' vision to another level: The integration of my outdoor photography & Melissa's sculpting. Melissa has chosen my image of harlequin ducks that I captured in Jasper National Park to express this three-dimensional 'connected arts' imaginativeness.

---

John Novak of John Novak Photography, himself a sculptor, will be lending his presentation expertise to this project. The end result will be a single transcendent artwork combining my stretched canvas photograph & Melissa's interpretative sculpting on a special wooden stand that John is currently creating. I look forward with eagerness to the completion of this one-of-a-kind piece. And I'm grateful to the curators of the Art Gallery of Lambeth - Vivian Tserotas & Brenda Colley - for this unprecedented opportunity.

written by:
PhiLiP s. SchMidT
Resident Artist • Art Gallery of Lambeth

Escaping - Resident Artists' Interpretation

On September 25^th  2012, the Art Gallery of Lambeth’s resident artists will be exhibiting works from their show ‘ESCAPING’. The show will run until November the 3^rd, with the opening reception being October 5^th from 7-10 pm.

The word escape can mean anything from breaking free of captivity, avoiding situations and memories, to just taking a break.  The act of escaping can give temporary freedom from worry, care or unpleasantness.  At some point in all our lives we have experienced a need to escape. 

The resident artists of the Art Gallery of Lambeth have been given the freedom to interpret their meaning of escaping and to find ways of transferring thoughts into tangible elements through their medium.  The show is unique and each artist has worked on this collaborative show in their own studios. This paradox of working alone towards a common theme has left the expression ‘Escaping’ open for interpretation.  Each artist’s work promises to be a study in originality and individuality.

For St. Thomas painter and photographer Judy Ross, escaping is “…not to run from but to embrace reality, either by physically being in a special place or to be transported to that place in your mind where there is peace, solitude and renewing of spirit, to return refreshed”.  Her work celebrates the combination of photography and poetry.

For Mississauga artist Marianne Morris, escaping is a metaphysical transportation that occurs through music.  She has been working in a series of paintings that capture moments in time of musicians playing.

     “For me, music is the ultimate escape. It sets the tone, influences the mood... changing the soundtrack can change everything. My ‘Escape’ paintings are a series of musicians, playing alone or in a group, interpretive but not portraits. I try to reflect how picking up an instrument can make you lose yourself... how the music, the musician and the instrument are each a part of the same whole.”

In another series of interpretations, sculptor Melissa Kempf and photographer Philip Schmidt have teamed up to take ‘Escaping’ to another level. 

 Kempf draws her inspiration from Schmidt’s photograph ‘Harlequin Ducks’. She creates a response to his photograph with a soapstone carving entitled ‘Escaping the Current’.  Kempf focuses on the idea of escape through flight. 
    “In this work I bring forward the subject matter of a Harlequin duck outside of its surroundings shown in Schmidt's photograph and glorifying its attempt to escape with flight. I have focused on a contrast of action between Schmidt's work and mine whereby what is stationary in his work (ducks sitting on the rocks) has been created as the action in my work (a duck made of stone escaping the current of a river through flight.”

Whatever escape means to you, there will be a piece of art that you can appreciate and connect with at the Gallery.

Come and celebrate the’ Escaping’ see you there!

Vivian Tserotas

Exciting News.....

Art GALLERY OF LAMBETH   the studio

Will be renovating again to expand the studio space. There are many great, new and exciting events that will be taking place at our gallery and we invite you to come and participate.

 

We have added some new programs to our studio this year.

 

parent and preschool program children 3-6.

Come out, have fun, bond with your child and create together. During the 6 week program you and your preschooler will create beautiful finished works of art to take home and display. Connect with other parents in a relaxed atmosphere where you do not have to clean up!!!!

 

Coming soon......

kids 9+ step by step painting

Go on line and pick a painting that you like, come in that evening for a 1-2 hour class and learn how to paint it step by step. Our qualified art instructors will lead your child on a step by step journey to a finished work of art while having fun and learning. The gallery will provide all the paint, and brushes and canvas. At the end of the evening your child will come home with and amazing piece of art to hang on the wall and be proud of.

Also Coming soon.....

adults step by step painting evenings

We supply all the painting materials needed to create a piece of art.
Just come in for a social evening of creating and fun. Enjoy painting along in a relaxed social setting and our experienced instructors will make you feel like Van Gogh! By the end of the evening you will have created a masterpiece to take home and display. This painting program is created for anyone who wants to learn how to paint or just wants to come and have a fun night out! We will have wine and snacks available on some nights to make it a real night out!!! Call the babysitters and get them lined up, you won't want to miss out on this!

 

 

 Also:

The Art Gallery of Lambeth will be hosting painting step by step events for

*Private Parties

*Bridal and Baby Showers

*Bachelorette Parties

*Corporate Events

*Girls Night out

*Birthday parties

 

All these events may be catered and tailored to your needs. Give us a call to help create a one of a kind event

Feature Artist - Christa Oglan

When she paints her landscapes, Christa Olgan has no boundaries such as trees and lakes. She captures a dream-esque feeling in her abstract strokes. She uses colours and texture to create a whimsical, magical world that the viewer is instantly drawn into. These ‘dreamscapes’, Christa hopes, will be points of departure for the viewer, as they are sent off into an inward, personal journey. 

Christa uses a wide range of colours, to depict this dreamlike world. She seems to stay away from the traditional landscape palette, and instead uses colours that work together in this eye-pleasing, magical way. 

Feature Artist - Geoff Christie

This month at the AGL our Canadian Landscapes exhibition showcases our Partner and Resident Artists' landscape inspired works.  The works ranges from the traditional representation to more abstract in style.  There is something for everyone .... a must see show for all.

This weeks feature artist is Geoff Christie, who was born and raised in Toronto Ontario and now resides in Strathroy, Ontario.

Geoff was enrolled in Central Technical High School's Art Department in 1964. One of his teachers was the War Artist, Charles Goldhamer who studied with Group of Seven member artist, Arthur Lismer.  Geoff left Central Tech before graduating, but he felt that he needed to continue to study and make art, and he attended a number of other art schools and open studios in Toronto over the late 1960s '70s and '80s.  Geoff regularly attended open studio sessions at the Toronto School of Art, and the Poor Alex Theatre where on most evenings there were pay-per-session studios and artists models-one need only drop a few dollars onto the model's platform and draw or paint, with or without instruction in the evenings or weekends.

 Geoff continued his formal art education in the Fine Art Diploma program at Fanshawe College, London Ontario. In the 1990's Geoff became very interested in painting en plein air, often scouring the rural area between London and Chatham for new painting sites, frequently in company of Brantford artist Keith Shearsby. 

Canadian Landscapes now at the AGL

We've got the new show up and everything looks amazing! We have a new batch of landscapes from our Resident artists on display. We took a few snaps to start up the blog... it looks much better in real life!

New Canadian Landscapes at AGL