Art Studio Tours
By Margaret Patricia Eaton
As nature paints her canvas scarlet and gold, turning the countryside into a panoramic gallery, what better time to
take a drive, visit studios and start Christmas shopping. You’ll find paintings, prints, pottery, photography, fibre art,
sculptures, carvings and fine art cards, created by over 75 artists. Pick up a studio tour map and enjoy.
Shediac Bay Studio Tour
September 16-17, 10 am to 5 pm; 30 studios from Chemin de la Brêche,
Barachois to Shediac Bridge; (Map available at: Shediac Information
Centre, 229 Main Street)
Everyone who drives into the Town of Shediac is captivated by ‘The Good Ol’
Days’, the 3-D mural on the side of the Shediac Lobster Shop, created by multi-
disciplinary, multi-talented artist Monette Léger. If this is any indication of the
level of creativity in the Shediac Bay area, you certainly should tour the studios
to see what else awaits you.
‘THE GOOD OL’ DAYS’ A 3-D MURAL BY MONETTE
LÉGER, SHEDIAC LOBSTER SHOP. PHOTO: M. P. EATON
Fundy Studio Tour
October 14-15, 10 am – 5 pm; 10 studios from Riverview to Waterside; (Map available at: Briggs Maples, Chocolate
River Station, 391 Coverdale Road, Riverview)
It would be difficult to find a handcrafted item more authentic to the region
than the hand-built pottery Judy Tait produces at the Albert County Clay
Company, 900 Albert Mines Road. Since retiring from the New Brunswick
College of Craft & Design, she and her husband Dave have perfected the skill
of refining local clay, which Judy uses to create a variety of items ranging from
Japanese tea bowls and pate dishes to large vases and stunning art pieces. Her
signature style incorporates imprints of dried flowers and leaves with glazing
applied either partially or as a highlight, allowing the natural terra cotta shade
of the clay to be seen.
SOME FUNDY STUDIO TOUR ARTISTS: (SEATED) JUDY TAIT, ALBERT COUNTY CLAY COMPANY; LINDA
MANTELL WATERSIDE WINERY; NICOLE MACDOUGALL, NICE ‘N’ NIFTY; WENDY JOHNSTON, WENDY
JOHNSTON POTTERY – ART EFFECTS FINE CRAFT GALLERY; (STANDING) ED MANTELL; NORM
BRADFORD, FARM LIFE STUDIO; CAROLE COLEMAN, TANSY LANE HERB FARM. PHOTO: M. P. EATON
Arts Across the Marsh
October 14-15, 10 am – 5 pm;20 studios from Middleton-Dorchester to Tidnish Bridge, N.S.. (Map available at:
Robert Lyon Graphics, 10 Weldon Street, Sackville)
If you’re searching for a moment of Zen-like peace and tranquility, along with
hot apple cider and ginger snaps, visit Donna Sharpe’s studio at 22 Harris Drive,
Sackville. Here you’ll find mixed media assemblages that are gemlike in their
perfection as they capture small but exquisite moments in nature with grace
and sometimes whimsy. Inspired by her time spent teaching in Japan, Donna is
“interested in combining elements of both Japanese and Western art, looking at
colour and composition in appreciation of the small but beautiful images we see
every day but take for granted.”
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK V (PAPER COLLAGED ON WOODEN BOXES, ACRYLIC, INK
AND COLOURED PENCIL) BY DONNA SHARPE, SACKVILLE. PHOTO: D. SHARPE
FALL/AUTOMNE 2017 PrimeTime
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