Children gain access to our artists and their techniques
Art lovers and enthusiasts are attending workshops, classes and viewing demonstrations at the Masterworks Foundation of Bermuda Art this week.
The event, in the West Gallery, started yesterday and runs until Saturday and is open to the public.
Masterworks education coordinator Carrie Zenti explained that the Arts for All will feature a selection of the Island’s artists and craftsmen, along with visiting artists from abroad who will be on hand to share their techniques.
“Often artists work in isolation and the public only gets to see finished work, they don’t realise all that is involved in creating art. This is a chance to see works in progress and to chat with the artists directly and learn more about their different techniques.”
The schedule varies daily and will include fibre artists such as the Bermuda Quilters’ Guild and the Bermuda Guild of Stitchery who have several members attending with their traditional works in progress.
“Shawn Place will be working on sewing elaborate Gombey costumes - sharing a unique glimpse of Gombey culture,” she said.
“Peggy Couper is attending with her basket weaving materials to share tips about this rare craft. Kendra Earls is the only jeweller attending and will be presenting her work with a wide variety of gems and stones.
“Michael Cacy will be on hand with his airbrush equipment and the public will be able to give it a go under his guidance. Frank Dublin will bring his latest pastels to share with the public as well as giving a workshop during the Arts for All event.
“Trevor Todd with be sharing his photos along with artwork influenced by his travels to Australia. Mixed media artists Will Collieson and Jason Harris will be attending with their artwork.
“Milton Hill with his cedar work will be on hand each day. John Legere gave a silkscreen demo outside yesterday. Visiting artist, Greg Macavoy, from New York is working on creating a new installation of a cement sculpture in the front gardens of the Masterworks property.
“Painters can be found inside or outside with their respective works in progress including Al Seymour, Noel Simmons, Melinda Braathan, Frances Furbert and Otto Trott.” Demonstrations are open to the public daily during the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free.
Director of The Masterworks Foundation Tom Butterfield pointed out that this is the second annual Arts for All event at the year’s end.
“It looks likely to become an ‘institution’,” he said.
“The point and purpose of Arts for All is multifaceted. In the short period of finding our home permanently in The Botanical Gardens we noticed that there are many families that are looking for something to do besides jumping up and down on a fun castle.
“In some instances it gives the creative children an opportunity for outlet — in other cases it brings parents and children together in the spirit of mentorship.
“The programme reaches as wide a cross section of the Bermudian fabric as possible. Inevitably for most classes there is a waiting list.
It is a glorious problem to
Enthusiasts learn from our artists and craftsmen
<@$p>[<]v2.05[>][<]e1[>][AT]bodyindent:have for the ensuing years. We just wish we could do Arts for All everyday throughout the year - Bermuda would then be truly another world.”Free art workshops for all ages are either taught by local artists or visiting artists.“Frank Dublin, Vaughn and Amy Evans, and Vernon Clarke, or visiting artists, which include Tom Cooke, Steve Kenny, and Linda Wilde,” said Mrs. Zenti.“Each brings their unique perspective and art experience to the community. This event is only possible because these fine instructors and artists have volunteered their time during this busy holiday season along with numerous volunteers.“The workshops are for teaching art techniques, but it is so much more than that it gives an opportunity for self-expression, social interaction and builds self-confidence through creative achievement.“It is a joy to witness the creative process in children and adults who attend the workshops. We expect to see over 100 students throughout the four days of classes. “Workshops for children filled within an hour of beginning registration and those for teens and adults followed in the next few days.”She added: “Students will be creating a treasure box and getting out in the gardens for a treasure scavenger hunt.“The afternoon will be a monoprinting workshop with husband and wife duo Vaughn and Amy Evans who will investigate various printing techniques. Other offerings continue in the week. Life Drawing with Vernon Clarke, Pastel Drawing with Frank Dublin, Cartoon Illustration with Tom Cooke who worked for Sesame Street and The Muppets, Linda Wilde with Botanical Illustrations is coming in from California, and mural painting with Steve Kenny, an airbrush artist from Toronto.” Mrs. Zenti added that she realised that they could not accommodate all the interest in the free workshops for children, so we also planned the Family Arts Day on Saturday between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will include art activities for children of all ages who are accompanied by an adult.“This event will be in the Rose Garden next to Camden, rain or shine,” said Mrs. Zenti. “Registration is not necessary for families, but groups please enquire. Children can get involved with a selection of creative endeavours such as painting a miniature canvas or foam creations.“Families can check out a toolbox full of drawing materials and go off and discover the gardens on their own and bring back their artwork to display. “Steve Kenny will be on hand with his airbrush working on finishing touches of a mural created with kids earlier in the week. Portrait easels with drawing tools will be set up for kids to be able to draw portraits of their family members.”Masterworks is already planning a repeat of Arts for All next April scheduled around school holidays. Caroline Barlow and Richard Tait, who set the initial footprint for such a programme in 2005, will teach the workshops then. For more information [<]f”Wingdings-Regular”[>]([<]f$[>] 236-2950.
