by Gillian Crowley –
Enjoy a week-long celebration of the visual arts that includes the Sidney Fine Art Show, ArtSea Fall Studio Tour and new community engagement activities throughout the week of October 13 to 22.
Sidney Fine Art Show
The 2017 Sidney Fine Art Show is a first-class juried art show for serious artists, patrons and appreciators of the arts. Started in 2003, it now attracts more than 6,000 art lovers who come to admire the variety and quality of the approximately 400 art pieces on display. Each year close to $100,000 goes to the artists for the art sold during the show. All funds raised by The Sidney Fine Art Show are used by the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula (now ArtSea) to support its diverse programs. At Bodine Hall, Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney. October 13 to 14: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Meet the Artists 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. October 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ArtSea Fall Studio Tour
Appreciate autumn’s beauty as you follow the ArtSea Fall Studio Tour. This is a self-guided tour of approximately 28 venues featuring some 65 artists within Sidney and North and Central Saanich. New artwork and techniques will be featured by the artists. A brochure and location map lays out the tour where visitors are welcomed into the studios of participating artists to watch them at work. Pick up the map from ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park, the Sidney Information Centre, various coffee shops and McTavish Academy of Art. Or download it from https://cacsp.com/artsea-fall-studio-tour-2017-online-form. October 21 and 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Fun Art Activities for Everyone
The ArtSea Festival organizers want all ages to get involved in the artistic process this year. Here’s what’s happening
October 13 to 20:
- Community mural at Panorama Recreation Centre – draw your impression of “Life Here” on the Saanich Peninsula outline.
- Coffee shop art at Brentwood Bay Village Empourium, Fresh Cup Roastery Café, Melinda’s Biscotti, Serious Coffee and Georgia Café: create your own masterpiece on a blank postcard – drawings, poetry, etc. – and post it on the café wall.
- Pop-up origami for all ages in the Mary Winspear Centre’s lobby – learn how to create boats folded from paper. All origami displayed at IslandBlue during the Studio Tour.
The Odd Couple Revisited
The Peninsula Players presents “The Odd Couple,” a well-known comedy by Neil Simon. This time genders are reversed. In this contemporary update, Florence Unger and Olive Madison are the female version of “The Odd Couple.” Instead of the poker party that begins the original, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. The Pidgeon sisters have been replaced by the two Constanzuela brothers. Enjoy an outing of fun and laughter! October 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and October 22 at 2 p.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney.
Unforgettable – A Tribute to Natalie Cole
End October with an exciting concert featuring Maria Manna with the 17-piece orchestra Lust Life Jazz Band and special guest duet performance with Duncan Meiklejohn (The Midnights R&B Band and The Chris Millington Big Band). Maria will share stories of Natalie’s touring days as told to her by Natalie’s touring pianist, Josh Nelson. A high energy show covering many of Natalie’s original compositions. Mary Winspear Centre, October 26 at 7:30 p.m.
