Five creative, playful and talented artists are planning a unique exhibition of exceptional art for the Canada Day long weekend.
Five creative, playful and talented artists are planning a unique exhibition of exceptional art for the Canada Day long weekend.
Showing at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt from June 30 to July 2 will be Charly Mithrush, Lore Schmidts and Donna Stewart with guest artists Ginny Vail and Kate von Riesen.
Charly Mithrush’s encaustic work incorporates found materials, and her images explore water, sea and nests. Lore Schmidts uses a variety of mediums, styles and experiences to reflect and express his journey. Donna Stewart employs a unique method of using concrete for sculptures and wall art that takes a functional product to a whole new level.
Ginny Vail is an abstract painter and mixed media artist working mainly in acrylics and paper collage. Decoupage under glass is Vail’s most recent endeavour — her 3D vintage imagery has become popular (and provocative) home decor. Kate von Riesen brings together the earthy mediums of metal and kiln-formed glass. “We are beautiful dance partners,” said von Riesen.
On June 30 (5 to 9 p.m.), the artists will appear at a reception hosted by local realtor Gina Stockwell. A portion of the proceeds from the day’s sales will be donated to the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society for its Building Together initiative.
All five artists will be at the show for the full three days.
Small groups take the spotlight
On Sunday, June 18, members of the Sunshine Coast Community Orchestra Association will present a concert that features solos, duets and small ensembles of brass, woodwind, string and keyboard players.
A range of musical genres will be represented — including Baroque, Romantic, musical theatre and jazz.
The concert takes place at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Sechelt starting at 2:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.
Get jazzed in Roberts Creek
The Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival is set to kick off on Friday, June 16 with a performance by the 10-piece powerhouse band Soulstream at the Roberts Creek Community Hall.
The group’s repertoire encompasses groove masters like Herbie Hancock, Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Tower of Power, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Incognito, Stevie Wonder and Barry White.
Altogether, Soulstream has earned three Junos, one Grammy and five West Coast Musician of the Year nominations, and is described by Gibsons Jazz Festival organizers as a Vancouver funk/soul/jazz staple. Their approach includes extensive improvisation, both as individuals and as a collective.
Playing with Soulstream are some of Vancouver’s finest musicians. Tickets ($35) are available at One Flower One Leaf Gallery in Gibsons, Strait Music in Sechelt or from Eventbrite.com.
Soulstream is presented by the Sunshine Coast Jazz and Entertainment Society to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival and Beyond. The full lineup for this year’s festival (June 23 to 25) is available at coastjazz.com.
Choral delights served fresh every week
The A Cappella Strait and Choralations Children’s Choir sustained a month-long run of local choir performances with two concerts held last weekend, in Sechelt and Gibsons respectively, on June 2 and 3.
Director Janice Brunson assembled a program that highlighted cross-cultural exchange. The recital concluded with both choirs singing Past Life Melodies, which featured open-throated chant inspired by Australian Aboriginal songlines and overtone singing.
Coming up this weekend, the Suncoast Phoenix Community Choir spring concert takes place on two occasions: on June 9, at 7 p.m. at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Sechelt, and on June 10 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, Gibsons.
The Suncoast Phoenix concert’s theme is “Did You Hear” and will feature a mix of appealing music by the chorale, now marking its tenth year of existence. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $20.