Spring is in the air in the City of Barrie which can only mean one thing – it’s time for the Barrie Spring Art Tour!
The BSAT runs Apr. 29 and 30 and will see 36 artists represented in 13 locations throughout Barrie. This being the ninth year of the event has many in the booming Barrie art community buzzing. Kate Ramos is a local artist who also runs The Edge Gallery at 32 Dunlop Street West, one of the stops on the weekend’s tour. Ramos has been involved with the BSAT for all eight years as part organizer and says that the event draws in more than just art connoisseurs.
“The Spring Art Tour is really for everyone,” said Ramos. “We get folks who have heard about it, grabbed a coffee and just walk the area taking in some wonderful works by great local artists. I expect well over 200 people through the doors this weekend.”
Ramos works with acrylics and enjoys emphasizing texture in her work so anyone can experience it. The gallery owner has shared many of her works with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) due to the texture aspect and hopes everyone can have art touch them the way it touches her.
“I’ve had art in my life since basically birth,” said Ramos. “It is the way I communicate and the way I express myself. To see what the city of Barrie is doing with regards to art is thrilling. Even on the electrical boxes you’re seeing art painted on them to beautify them, it’s just lovely and makes me excited to see what they do next.”
Another local artist whose shop is a stop along the tour is Deb Grise. Grise has painted many known pieces and some of which are of scenes from right here in Barrie. With her gallery located daily in The Market at 41 Dunlop Street West, Grise is very honoured and excited to be involved for the first time with her own spot.
“I am so excited to be involved in this event,” said Grise. “I am very happy that my gallery will be seen but also that folks will be able to come down and see the location I’m in. The Market is such a neat little secret that we can’t wait to have people find out about. There is going to be a lot of great artsy-type things throughout the city this weekend and here too as I have a guest with me who does Muskoka pendants with each item including a Muskoka stone in it.”
Grise feels that one of the best things about this event is it really marks the kick-off to the arts season in Ontario and will hopefully get more people wanting to view or even create art. Fortunately for those looking to become the next big artist or just learn to draw, one of the stops on the tour is The Drawing House at 60 Mary Street. Specializing in art instruction is owner Marshall Geddes. Geddes hopes that once folks stop in they’ll see quality items and tools that are essential for artists to create proud pieces of work. The 24-year-old artist also can’t wait to show off what his classes and associates have been producing.
“There are going to be comic books up for viewing that kids have produced as well as art from all the faculty and other people who teach here,” said Geddes. “Some of my drawings will be out too for people to look at. It isn’t going to be like the other stops where you can purchase items for yourself, but rather more of what you can learn about this great world of art we love so much.”
For more information on the Spring Art Tour and a map of the stops to hit this weekend, check out the website.
