2012 Spring Studio Tour

Click for Downloadable PDF Map

Artists and locations - printable map, click here.

Click for the PDF listing of 2012 Participating Artists

Debbie Dell ~ www.fusedglasscustomhardware.ca
Iwona Dufaj ~ www.rogart.com
Edward Falkenberg ~ www.falkenberg.ca
Alpheus Jones ~ www.alpheusjones.com
Deanna Jones ~ deanna-jones-art.tumblr.com
Hanneke Koonstra ~ www.hannekekoonstrafineart.com
Ana Paula Leandro ~ ana-paula-leandro.tumblr.com/
Geordie Lishman ~ www.geordielishman.com
Kim Lowes ~ www.kimlowes.ca
Judith Matthews ~ www.judithmatthewsartist.com
Mike McGowan ~ www.mcgowanart.com
Yvonne Meissner ~ www.ymeissner.com
Catherine Mills ~ www.catherinemillsartist.com
Gillian Newland ~ www.gilliannewland.com
Guida Pirita ~ guida-pirita.tumblr.com/
Gordon Reidt ~ gordon-reidt.tumblr.com/
Heather Salzman ~ heather-salzman.tumblr.com
Lianne Snow ~ lianne-snow.tumblr.com/
Gerd Untermann ~ www.gerdart.com

Guide to the In-town Durham West Studio Tour

This year’s edition of the Durham West Arts Centre Spring Studio Tour showcases some of West Durham’s most creative individuals along with some special guest artists. If you haven’t come across a brochure you can print off a map and artist list from this site. To help plan your tour you can also find links to the artist’s sites to see more artworks, just click on the big Studio Tour ad above.

This free self guided tour gives you the opportunity to view works by 20 artists from many artistic disciplines. If you begin at the Durham West Arts Centre’s Pottery Studio at the Pickering Recreation Centre at 1867 Valley Farm Road you can see our display and pick up brochures that will help you plan your tour itinerary. While at our facility don’t miss the beautiful ceramic creations by sisters Guida Pirita and Ana-Paula Leandro. They are knowlegeable instructors and can answer questions about our pottery classes as well. Also enjoy the inventive abstract paintings of guest artist Mike McGowan.

Location number 3 just east of Brock Road near the end of Finch Ave. is the home of stone carver Gordon Reidt. Working with a variety of different stone which may be millions of years old, he animates the material and brings forth some of nature’s grandest creatures through his laborious technique. This stop features three very special guests including artist/illustrator Gillian Newland whose published work has been seen in the Globe and Mail, McLean’s and at the National Gallery. (Gillian will be present on Sunday only.) With a dealer in Switzerland, this is a much easier way to view the exotic insects and other inventive paintings and prints by Catherine Mills and the glass works by Heather Salzman are sure to delight.

Toward the west at #2 you will find painter Judith Matthews whose works reflect her Trinidadian roots and present day take on the Canadian landscape. Further south in the Frenchman’s Bay area, tour addition Alpheus Jones at 849 Sanok Dr., will be showing oil paintings that also reflect his Caribbean background. No matter where he is inspired his aim is consistent, “The overall objective is to capture a moment in time and to impart to the viewer a sense of place.”

In the same neighbourhood as Alpheus you’ll find Iwona Dufaj and her contemporary take on surrealism. Iwona explores the world of the subconscious and dreams but these psychological sojourns always engage the emotions whether she is exploring the romantic or the mechanical.

Speaking of mechanical, where else can you turn a crank and have a winged syhinx or a giant metal owl come to life? Geordie Lishman lives in the stone house built by his great great grandfather in the middle of a subdivision on Westney Road in Ajax (#5). It is here that he practices and teaches his “anvil arts”. This year Geordie is joined by two Oshawa artists who take their work to creative extremes. Lianne Snow “upcycles” the detritus of modern life into items of funky elegance. Whether jewellery, sculpture or wearable art Lianne finds inspiration in the most unusual places. Don’t miss her chainmail dress made entirely of pop tabs! She truly has earned the nickname the Recycling Queen. The fused glasswork of Debbie Dell will bring even more colour to this stop as you will find that Debbie’s skill at working glass under extreme heat always produces beautiful work whether functional or purely fanciful.

From Geordie’s it’s a good place to head north to the country part of the tour with stops in Greenwood and Claremont. Go to the link above entitled “Guide to the Rural Route Artists” on home page to help plan your way to discovery and inspiration as you enjoy the countryside. Make sure to watch for our distinctive signs to help in finding that something special.

Please note that we have two local galleries that hope you find time to drop in along the way. The Silverstone Gallery at 617 Liverpool Rd. S. near the lake (letter D in brochure) and Cultural Expressions at 62 Old Kingston Rd. in Pickering Village (letter E in brochure). Both locations offer a wide selection of artwork from local artists and artisans.

Durham West Studio Tour – Guide to the Rural Route Artists

Whether you start the tour from Uxbridge, Port Perry or Ajax and Pickering, this year’s edition of the Durham West Studio Tour offers you a wonderful way to enjoy the countryside and meet and visit some of the most colourful characters and their equally colourful artworks.

Take for instance Gerd Untermann and his beautiful to the touch large—scale wood carvings. You may even discover a huge 20’ metal work behind his house. Gerd’s property is on Sideline 22 just west of Brock Rd. on Concession 8 near Claremont.

A little to the east of the village on Sideline 8 is the home and studio of sculptor Edward Falkenberg. Edward’s work can be seen at embassies and universities, but here is your chance to be where it begins. Take a stroll through his property to see site—specific works on your way to his studio building and then back to the gallery space where smaller wood and mixed media pieces will be on display. Special guest artist David B. Gillespie will be showing his serigraphs (screen prints) along with other selected works on the wall space. David’s unique technique was developed in the Maritimes and you’ll see work from both his Maritime and Ontario bodies of work.

Nearby Claremont tucked in the trees just off Westney Road is another stop with a Maritime connection. Yvonne Meissner, originally from Newfoundland works on canvas and wood building up paint in layers with additives to help create tactile abstract works. Yvonne states: “I now spend every summer in Pouch Cove NL., and have a house near the ocean. The area is a great source of inspiration for my artwork. I love being surrounded by water, trees and the rugged coast line.”

Further up Brock Road and east on Uxbridge—Pickering Townline Road will bring you to the place where award—winning photographer Kim Lowes lives and works. His long time quest has, over the years, taken him to destinations throughout the world where he has photographed many species of birds, wildlife and special cultural events. His goal is to create images that stir viewers into seeing the beauty that is around us and to encourage people to assist in the enhancement and protection of the natural world. His digital photography is a must-see.

The northern most stop on the tour will bring you to Hanneke Koonstra’s home on Albright Road east off Brock Road just south of Coppin’s Corners. Hanneke came to Canada as a young girl from the Netherlands and it shows in her beautiful florals. Her paintings are frequently of flowers cut from her garden on her rural property on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Hanneke states, "I find inspiration everywhere: the shadows on my peonies, the scenery around Uxbridge, images from my trips to Europe, throughout Canada and to the USA.” Hanneke’s studio will be transformed into a gallery where her acrylic and watercolour paintings along with prints will be available to view and purchase.

Another stop that must not be missed is the pottery studio of Deanna Jones in the village of Greenwood. You are bound to find a new piece when you see her delightful work from teapots to bird feeders to one-of-a-kind creations.

These are just the rural stops on the tour. One must not miss the incredible variety of work to be discovered in Ajax and Pickering. When on tour watch for the directional signs posted.