Art for literacy, Tyendinaga Library

Ten artists and artisans exhibited there work for the day last Sunday and $400 was raised to help children learn to read, as well as artists making their own sales.

Participating artists were Cynthia Guthrie, who as art co-ordinater for the library also planned and organised the event, Suzanne Cavers with her expressionist abstracts, Rita Woodburne who draws beautiful cats and horses, Ann Buckley with her rug hooking and very fine weaving, Catherine McDonald with her "real"precious stones jewellry, Joyce-Empey Smith- terrific watercolours and myself amongst others. I think most of us sold at least one or two items.

Lots of people with bags seemed to be leaving the area where Ann was stationed! Vases of fresh lilacs were on every table and visitors enjoyed free home made cookies and tea or coffee.

Cynthia, Ann and I are also involved in a show along with internationally acclaimed sculptor Paul Sheir, at the Tweed Heritage Centre starting next week. The opening is on June 4th at 6-8 p.m. Free goodies! Unfortunately this clashes with a big show in Belleville Library ("Portals") so we may not have a large attendance. Come if you can. If you don't mind a half hour drive up to Tweed, why not take in both shows?

Quinte Arts Council Expressions Show

The Quinte Arts Council Expressions show was a great success. I went to the opening along with at least 100 other people. Good thing it was held at the John M. Parrott gallery as the previous location behind Capers Restaurant in Belleville would not have had room for half the people.

Congratulations to Virginia Dixon for her painting entitled "Birdie" and to Andrew Innes from Picton who entered a "sculpture" made with layers of Perspex entitled "Waiting and Wondering". They both won jurors' choice awards.

I was surprised to win the Ontario Crafts Council award with my entry "White Water" which is made entirely out of felted exotic fibres such as llama and cashmere.

Above is a picture of it. As a prize I get a year's free professional membership to the OCC, which comes with lots of perks.

Try to see the show. It is on till the end of May. There are lots of wonderful exhibits and the John M. Parrott gallery is also home to a travelling show put on by the Ontario Crafts Council which is also well worth a visit.