The Youth Art Show at the Lakeshore Branch of the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library is always one of the highlights of the annual Innisfil Studio Tour.
It's a celebration of local artists and artisans, supported and organized by the Innisfil Arts, Culture and Heritage Council.
Students at both Nantyr Shores Secondary School in Alcona and Banting Memorial High School in Alliston submitted original works in oil, watercolor, mixed media, photography, pen and pencil.
Jay Goodman, a Grade 12 student at Nantyr Shores, exhibited a graphite pencil drawing inspired by “Keanu Reeves, and particularly his role in (the movie) John Wick.”
It took Goodman two weeks to work complete his piece, which was on display with dozens of other works by high school students, showing a range and a virtuosity far beyond their years.
Elsewhere, artists opened their home studios to the public – like fine artists Liam Jones, Jamie Hardie and Jeanette Luchese and woodworker Dave Woodrow – or participated in group shows at the Knock School Heritage Site, the Innisfil Town Hall, and in Cookstown, at the old Masonic Hall on Queen Street.
That’s where members of the South Simcoe Palette Club set up their exhibit, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the club.
“Sixty years ago, the first show was held here (in the Masonic Hall),” said Eileen Cooper, painter and jewelry artist.
It was local artist Jessie Monkman who established the club, bringing together talented amateurs from across South Simcoe, to paint together, learn and share.
One of the founding members of the South Simcoe Palette Club was Cookstown resident Ruth Draper, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The exhibit at the Masonic Hall included works by both Draper and Monkman, on display in the foyer – and a whole wall of artwork, priced at $60, in honour of the 60th anniversary.
At the Knock School, artists and artisans included Marcia Godbout, whose sensitive coloured pencil portraits have been delighting collectors; dichroic glass jewellery artist Deeni DeMedeiros, wood-turner Anastasia Cheetham, and Kimberly Evans-Milak, potter and mixed-media artist, shared the space and welcomed visitors.
The town hall housed a number of exhibitors, including R. Murray Haist – pyrographer, artist, poet and author; Tina Lund, with her whimsical 3-D illustrations, and the Kleio Jewellery of Heather LaDouceur.
Haist was not only selling prints and natural cloth bags imprinted with his work, he signed copies of his first book, Tuoyawon – a book that had been accepted by the Peel Region school board, “which has really honoured me.”
The longtime participant in the tour was delighted to be back, this year at the town hall.
Waving at the extensive open hallway, Haist said, “I’d like to see this space filled with artists next year.”
The Innisfil Studio Tour continues on Sunday until 5 p.m. Admission at every stop is free. Meet the artists, and purchase unique and one-of-a-kind gifts and artwork.
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