Hey! David here again. Thanks for subscribing, and welcome back to The Corner! Each month, we’ll bring you the latest updates on what’s happening at the gallery, along with highlights from the vibrant arts scene in Haliburton County and the big wide world. Whether it’s upcoming exhibitions, local events, or noteworthy trends in the artscape, we’ve got you cornered. I mean, covered.
So, let’s be honest, you heard about the first round of Reveal everywhere, didn’t you? Couldn’t get people to stop talking about it long enough to interject with “nice day isn’t it?” or “wow, Foodland was busy this weekend”, could you?
Well, join us this Saturday and you can become that very same hot air balloon that you were trying to evacuate instead! Harvey Walker, Kelly Whyte, Dave Rolfe and Zoey Zoric will razzle and dazzle. They’ve promised.
On an altogether different note, I’m feeling like we’re moving quickly into productive season. Is that what you’re feeling? Summer is for BBQs, dog-petting, lakeside mind-meetings and conserving energy for fear of visibly perspiring. Fall is for sweaters, slow-downs and refocusing the aims. Winter is for getting it done, quietly. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m excited to be feeling the distant rumblings of creativity showing up on the horizon again. It’s rolling in. I hope you feel it, too.
Also, I’m reading a massive book right now and I feel like it’s wordiness is wearing off on me a bit too much. I’ve deleted almost as much as I’ve written in this newsletter. I need an editor. Sorry!
Big love, all.
David Partridge Curator Corner Gallery, Haliburton
INSIDE THIS MONTH
unPROMPTed
Artist of the Month
In the Highlands This Month
Work of the Month
Get Interested!
Go Ahead, Inspire Me
unPROMPTed!
I give you a word, you give me a work.
New work, old work, doesn’t matter. Tie it into the word and get included in the next newsletter.
This month, your word is Tried. I’ve tried to make this an enjoyable newsletter. You can decide if I’ve achieved any level of success in that. But don’t tell me about it unless you submit a piece. Then, I’m all ears.
Check out the entries from last month below for the word Rehearsed.
Rehearsed: Deborah Reed
I feel that any of my expression has to be somewhat rehearsed. I’m aware I need to simplify for everyone’s comprehension. Whenever we were extra-exuberant during meals, my mother used to edit her children by requesting ‘no long speeches at the table’. I realize now that we were learning about freedom within frameworks. Some rehearsal is responsible and shrewd. My personal process is happier with a pause or two for overview, planning and reflection. A chaotic painting might sometimes better represent me, but my tidier left brain still wants the security of controls for safety and satisfaction.
Rehearsed: Alex Isbister
Rehearsed.
Again the word seems to break down in my eye, the same way “Capacity” did last month.
To be rehearsed suggests that the subject has already been hearsed. Rehearse leads me to hearse, rehearsal to hearsal, rehearsed to hearsed.
On the one hand it’s just play with syllables. On the other there lurks a terrible notion that the point of rehearsal is to save what otherwise would seem dead and to bring it possibly back to life.
Wait. No, it’s more that it means to re-deadify it, box it up again.
A song is rehearsed, a play is rehearsed, a speech is rehearsed.
Whatever was written or spoken or imagined at some past moment, now has to be re-enlivened to save it from the deadness of being produced yet again.
We say “rehearsed”. Maybe a better notion would be “rebirthed”, “rebirthal”.
Alex O’Connor used the phrase, “trodden ground” to mean territory we’ve already covered and now risks the fate of becoming irrelevant or boring.
Normally I think of rehearsal as meaning the improvement of something, the smoothing out of rough bits to make a production more reliably entertaining.
There is a problem with that, for me, in that I think it is usually rawness that is engaging, not performative cleanliness. It may be that the re-hearsal would be more engaging than the finished product, reveal more of the intimacy of the original making.
Of course I get engaged in music, in theatre, in movies, in productions. But radio has always draws me in as well, unre-hearsed, new voice its single channel.
The point of rehearsal is to enliven. The risk is that it deadens.
Who knew?
A notion of “de-hearsal” comes to me and “enhearsal” and “unhearsal”. Each brings imagery of how we manage death but the “dehearsal” one brings imagery of what we normally thing of as “rehearsal”. Dehearsal is the bringing out of its box of stagnation, of death, to be re-enlivened, “rebirthed”.
Oh. I kind of like that. I may try to use “dehearsal” in conversation, see how it flies.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH: IAN VARNEY
Ian understands humanity in ways I never will. As a Family Physician for 38 years, he helped people get better (or stay better). And now, as an artist of more than 20 years, he helps people see better. Cool, right?
I’m fascinated by his work. It’s, at once, chaotic and calming. Get up close with it and you may lose all sense of what it is. Stand back and the whole things comes together instantly. And beautifully.
And maybe that’s what it’s like with people. Maybe take a step back and you can appreciate the whole. Big lessons, Ian. Jeepers.
As a sidebar: Last winter I asked all of the gallery’s artists why they make art and his answer was my favourite: “a) It’s fun…and b) I’m addicted.”
HERE! Corner Gallery: Reveal Part 2. This Saturday, September 6th. 11-3. You read about the first one in last month’s newsletter, the top of this newsletter, and again in the article below, but I’m pumped about it, so here it is again! Live, in-house painting event! Watch four of our artists go head-to-head as they each create their own unique interpretation of a surprise image. What’s great about attending isn’t the non-existent rivalry or spectacle, it’s getting to see the work reveal itself throughout the day. Or, better yet, snagging one of them to take home. There are snacks and coffees, too, which honestly, is reason enough. See you here.
Rails End – En Plein Air Haliburton: Sept 19 to Nov 8. Hot dog! What’s better than seeing art that was actually made in your own backyard? NOTHING. Good. Rails End has asked for submissions of plein air paintings done this year in Haliburton County, and you over-achievers have delivered. I’m not surprised, you guys rule. What does it mean for us as viewers? It means we get to enjoy the top 20 pieces in the gallery this fall. Can’t wait to see it.
Guided Tours of the Sculpture Forest: Every Tuesday in July and August at 10 a.m. you can gather at the kiosk in the Fleming College parking lot and join a guided tour of the forest. Wear comfortable walking shoes or regret not to have. Tours are held rain or shine and can take up to 2 hours. Tours are free but donations are greatly appreciated.
Artist Talks at HSAD: Every Wednesday from 4:45 to 6pm. Get inspired by thought-provoking presentations from instructors, alumni, and guest speakers. Free and open to all, these weekly sessions bring insight into the creative process and contemporary practice. It’s also in the coolest building in the county. So, you know. Just go.
Don’t see your event here? No problem! Email me next time, silly.
WORK OF THE MONTH:
Untitled by Dave Rolfe
It’s no surprise to anyone that I love all the artists here in the gallery, but I have a very particular soft spot for Dave. The first time we met, he and I bonded over being staunch introverts. We talked for quite a while about it. Maybe long enough to realize we weren’t quite as staunch as we had thought. I told him about Coffee + Canvas, knowing he would enjoy it. He told me, under no circumstance, would he be attending. He is, after all, an introvert, remember. Well, he came that same week, and I don’t think he has missed a single one since. We love him. His work is phenomenal, and you’ll have to come in to see it. He’s on Instagram, but he’s not giving the goods away just yet. Like a true introvert.
I know…it’s challenging to find the right piece for your home. What looks great in the gallery might not look so good at home. The colour, the size, the subject matter, the style; it all needs to be taken into account, and that can be a lot.
Well, that’s where I come in!
I’d be delighted to stop by with a selection of paintings for you to look at – as well as ideas about other artworks we have access to that might be perfect. We can discuss what works for you, and why. Think of it like your own personal art shopper.
There’s no obligation to buy anything – and people say I’m very relaxed and friendly. I just love the art that we have here in the gallery and want to share it.
Respond to this email and let’s chat!
GET INTERESTED!
Do you ever meet somebody and know within a couple of minutes of speaking with them that they ‘get it’? It’s rare, right? And sometimes, you think they do, and then find out that maybe YOU didn’t ‘get it’. Oof! Terrible. Well, not to worry, in this case. Emily gets it. She has completely understood what I’ve been trying to do at the gallery since day one, and I’m always so relieved to see her write-ups on our events. She nails it. Tired of trying to de-code my babble? I don’t blame you. Read Emily’s article here, instead.
12-2pm! There’s a seat for you. Maybe. It’s getting pretty crowded. Bring comfortable crocs just in case.
GO AHEAD, INSPIRE ME
Stop wearing down your soul and wear down your pencil instead, folks! I’m rooting for you.
