On Friday, Sept. 27th, we participated in Culture Days by offering an Open House at the KSOA! This was an opportunity for anyone to come in, look around, and participate if they wished in some art creation: printmaking, acrylic painting, and some art fun for kids.
Our fall term has started up, and we have lots of registrations with lots of classes running. If you missed signing up, there's still a chance to jump in, as some of the classes have a "Pick 5" or single session option.
We've submitted two grant applications to the Community Foundation of Kingston and Area, one for a program called "Emotional Well-Being Through Art Creation", and one for a new school management software program. Wish us luck!
Paint the Town! 2019 was a big success. Even the weather cooperated! We had over 50 artists of all ages and experience, enjoying painting and sketching outside in Barriefield Village. Watch for news about an exhibition of works "done or begun" during the Sept. 6, 7, 8 weekend, in the Window Art Gallery in January.
Show & Tell: the art of story telling. Our joint fund raiser with the MRKH conference was held on June 15th. Enthusiastic participants listened to some or all of our eight life story tellers, who were accompanied by the artist and art work inspired by their stories. Thanks to the story tellers and artists, and to the many volunteers who made this a success! Special thanks to Ashley Clark, who approached the KSOA with this project, and who spearheaded it so ably. Some copies of the companion book are still available in the KSOA office for $20.
Art workshops for Autism Ontario (Kingston). We were very pleased to be able to offer five evening art workshops for clients of Autism Ontario (Kingston). The participants had a great time exploring different ways of making art in our big front studio.
Beyond Classrooms, April 29 to May 3. This was our second time participating in the Beyond Classrooms program. We hosted teacher Shelley Glenn-Hawley's Grade 4 class from Welborne Avenue Public School. During the week, the children learned about three art forms (watercolours, sculpture, and printmaking) and also learned about how to present their work in their own exhibition. Many thanks to several KSOA volunteers for making this a richly creative week for the kids! Special thanks to Ken Fuller for producing this photographic summary of the week.
Alternative Practicum for Queen's B.Ed. student. We were pleased to be able to provide a 3-week alternative practicum for a Queen's B.Ed. student this spring. Khadijah Jabari coordinated a gallery visit for the class that was coming to the KSOA for the Beyond Classrooms week, observed several of the KSOA instructors in class, and helped to design activities for this year's Summer Art Camps.
2018
VICTORIAN TEA & ART GRAB When Nora Forman’s children donated 67 of their mother’s paintings to the Kingston School of Art, WAG gallery director Marsha Gormley and long-time art school supporter Gaylan Fitsell came up with a terrific way to showcase Nora’s artwork and at the same time support the school. Inspired by the imagery with an old-world feel, of nature and a few black labs, an idea was born.
Sixty people came and enjoyed a traditional Victorian afternoon tea, and grabbed a piece of art at the same time! As one attendee said, A Victorian Tea: a wonderful event, executed with elegance, purpose, laughter, and joyfulness. An 'Art Grab': ensuring that a lifetime of work found its way to new homes, blessed with the memories surrounding the day it was acquired. Thank you! When asked about how she felt about the event, Gaylan admitted that she became emotional when she considered that the event was a way to support and carry on the legacy of another woman artist. Nora’s paintings were made over the course of three decades. “It was a symbiotic encounter. We all benefitted.”
Our first JURIED EXHIBITION & SALE held in July, was received with great success! Thank you to all who participated: Community Sponsors, Artist's submitting their works and Gallery patrons alike. There hadn't been a juried show in Kingston since 2015. For more details about this wonderful event click on KSOA BLOG in the main menu and go to, "THE JURY IS IN: A SUCCESSFUL BLEND OF STYLES, MEDIA AND SKILL" ... a review of the Exhibition written by our very own blogger, Ulrike Bender.
Beyond Classrooms
In early 2018, the KSOA hosted a Grade 3/4 class for a week of art creation as part of the Beyond Classrooms program. The kids had a great time, as you'll see in the following slide show, courtesy of Ken Fuller.