The Durham West Arts Centre is a 'hub' organization working to establish links with artists, arts groups and arts lovers. We host exhibitions, activities and events at the Centre as attractors. We want to meet and talk to the groups and individuals who are willing to help build the infrastructure for a permanent arts centre in Ajax-Pickering.
He's an original piece of work
Falkenberg is one of a kind in conversation, art and life
May 26, 2004 - News Advertiser
By: David Stell, News Editor
Photo Credit: A.J. Groen
PICKERING - In summing up the many sides of Edward Falkenberg, one thought keeps coming to mind: the man is an original.
His ideas, his artwork, his community involvement and basically his life: all original. Take the concept for his art. He describes it as "designing negative space - seeing what is not there and making it visible." Wrap your mind around that concept if you can, but the only way to understand it is to see his remarkable work. From castles in the sky, to iron circles with lines taking your eye and imagination where they will, it's something to see.
Spending a little time with him at his rural home in north Pickering recently, he shared his home, some of his experiences as an artist, and how he came to Pickering more than 30 years ago. And lately when you talk to Mr. Falkenberg, the subject invariably comes around to the arts in west Durham.
But a conversation with the longtime artist is always original, too. Every piece of work, every question, leads to so many other stories. But, you won't mind the little side trips, they're all interesting.
The Durham West Arts Centre, where he is the board chairman, is his main focus in recent years. What is currently a modest little renovated house in Pickering Village, now serves as the home of a project Mr. Falkenberg has been involved with since the idea was first conceived. Now that the centre has funds and a temporary home, he's already looking forward to a day when it has a permanent building with even more space to offer the arts community. The conception of such a centre, remarkably, came from an off-the-cuff conversation with a fellow member of the arts community, historian John Sabean. Mr. Sabean was telling him one day of his need for a home for donations to the arts from estates and wills. Mr. Sabean asked where they could go and Mr. Falkenberg recalls telling him "where the people go. "We talked to Laura (Mr. Falkenberg's wife) and we came up with the idea for a theatre, teaching gallery. 'Let's go for a large centre' John said, 'you be the chairman,' and that's where it started from, that little nucleus." Mr. Falkenberg says shortly after that David Stone heard about it and was invited to join the committee. Together the group has worked hard toward making the dream a reality. They have a goal of a few short years for putting a shovel in the ground for a permanent facility. But the temporary facility is quickly becoming an active centre for artists of all stripes. And that ultimately is what Mr. Falkenberg wants - to see everyone take advantage of the opportunity.