I had a lot of fun this weekend on the Calgary Artists’ Studio Tour. It ran Friday-Sunday and I was able to visit with over 20 different artists in two days and have a long list of others to visit in future. The majority are painters and photographers, but there were also mind blowing sculptors, jewellers, potters, puzzle makers, and even a performance artist.
On Saturday @henry.rempel.9 and I visited Sparrow Art Space, NVRLND Studios, and Laughing Sparrow. Most memorable for me was photographer Milena Vásquez. (Pics 1,2,3)
Sunday, I wandered with a friend through the superb quality art, large and small, from the renowned artists at 500 Collective and Shedpoint.
I’m quite fond of landscapes,, but some of the more eclectic art resonated, like the wooden puzzles created by Jason Robillard at StumpCraft (6115 3 Street SE, Bay D2). https://www.stumpcraft.com/
Jason pays artists for the rights to create puzzles from their images. We enjoyed touring the onsite manufacturing facility to see the process start to finish. Afterwards, we shopped the puzzle selections on display in the store. Of note was an image by Pierre Lamielle, who illustrated and co-authored a cookbook with Julie Van Rosenthal titled “Alice Eats: A Wonderland Cookbook.”
Puzzle sizes vary and the quality is superb. The diverse shapes of the pieces means these puzzles are more challenging, but the hidden surprises are fun and satisfying. (Pic 4,5,6,7)
Another favorite from Sunday is abstract painter Mary Jo Lough at Shedpoint who is “harnessing chaos” with her art. Her work “is a visual representation of her experience as a neurodivergent individual with ADHD.” (Pics 8,9,10) https://www.mjlfineart.com/
I hope you’ll follow any or all of the artists from the tour and support them by purchasing their work.
#beautyeveryday #grateful #calgaryartistsstudiotour