If you sometimes wonder what your neighbours, co-workers, or maybe that retired person down the block get up to in their spare time, you can now see for yourself during Donna Jo Massie’s Advanced Artists’ Watercolour Show at Studio 604 in Canmore.
The show, which runs March 22-30, will feature about 60 works painted by about 20 members of Massie’s advanced class. Better still, the event is also a fundraiser for the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation, as 25 per cent of sales will go to the group.
“In lieu of a commission, all the artists are donating to the hospital,” said Massie. “We’ll have landscapes, wildlife, still life, even a small works wall where everything will be under $100.
“All the paintings will be framed and ready for hanging with $200 about the top price.”
Massie’s advanced class meets Thursdays at St. Michael’s Anglican Church in Canmore to work on projects, critique each other’s work and continue the ongoing learning process of watercolour painting, framing, photographing the work, putting together resumes, pricing and other aspects of the artists’ life.
“We have seminars, demonstrations and discussions,” said Massie. “Some of these people have meeting here for several years because they want to learn more.
“They’ve gotten on board with me giving them more in-depth instruction. Some of the painters are retired, some are still working, but generally, nobody knows they’re here. This will showcase what they do.”
An opening reception for the show will be held March 21 from 7-9 p.m. at Studio 604 (604 Spring Creek Drive). The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Monday).
“Studio 604 is a beautiful space and the owners, Pat and Clark Sullivan, want to use it to raise funds and they let us use the space,” said Massie. “They’re helping us out by having us there.”
On most Thursday mornings, 15 to 20 of Massie’s students gather at the church to paint and expand their knowledge. “It’s a nice group and they’re on board with the fundraising aspect of this show. They’re all locals and they have this love for painting.
“People realize they’re not 20 anymore, but you can still paint, you can pick it up at any time. Really, it’s a celebration of learning at any age.”
All the works to be exhibited at Studio 604 went through a jury process by the artists themselves as a means of deciding on whose and how many works will be displayed in the show.
