October Meeting 2024 - Guest Artist: Geoff Farnsworth

St. Catharines Art Association

We are extending this invitation to Existing SCAA members, but also to those who were previous members, who we hope to see again. There are also artists who we have come in contact with, who we occasionally send a "Welcome" note to as well. Often times our programming will have even broader interest to include those who identify themselves as Art Lovers and we enjoy their company.

The St. Catharines Art Association meets at the Trillium United Church , 415 Linwell Rd, St. Catharines - at 7 p.m. on every fourth Tuesday of the Association's 9 month schedule.

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Tuesday October 22, 2024 at 7 p.m. brings a return visit by one of the leading artists in the St. Catharines area, Geoff Farnsworth. Starting from an extensive background of learning experiences Geoff's career has grown to include over 60 Solo and selected Group Exhibitions. He has representation by 4 major Galleries and has been featured in many Reviews and Interviews. His paintings have been shown in New York City, Washington DC, Minneapolis, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Niagara Falls, Norway, Sweden, and Trinidad.

In his own words:
"My paintings explore a relationship between figurative and abstraction in order to meld unconscious probing and stylistic innovation with a meditative figural base. It is important to me that the paintings work well as collections of shape, colour, texture, and energy, while also building a compelling image. Working with people and objects from my personal world, I focus on maintaining a balance between plan and accident, known and unknown, restraint and exuberance. My figures look out as much into mindscape as landscape."

The opportunity to see and hear Geoff should not be missed.
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On Wednesday, October 2, 2024 the City of St. Catharines announced the 2024 Arts Awards nominees, recognizing some of the community's most talented creatives. As we noted in a previous newsletter, those outstanding artists will be honoured at a celebration on Nov. 3, 2024, at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

This year, 41 nominees were recognized across four categories: Arts in Education, Emerging Artist, Established Artist, and Making a Difference. . The Awards Ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. in FOPAC's Robertson Theatre. Included on the list were 10 SCAA members.

Nominees for the Arts in Education Award, presented to an individual, collective or organization committed to engaging residents through arts education activities include: Steven Azzopardi, Emma Barker (Boogie Nights!), Michael Bell, Laurie Boese, Jane Elliott, Christina Hartmann, Brenna McAllister, Niagara Youth Orchestra, Vanessa Parson-Robbs, Anne Reimer, and St. Catharines Public Library.

The Emerging Artist Award is presented to an emerging St. Catharines artist working in any discipline. Nominees include: Bradley Barnham, Taylor Bogaert, Cecilia Brink, Melissa Cammisuli, Joseph Gottli, Ric Langlois, Shelley Locke, Caitlyn MacInnis, Skye Rogers, Evan Sawatsky, Tamara Lynn Sutton, and Amber Lee Williams.

Nominees for the Established Artist Award, presented to a professional St. Catharines artist in any discipline who has received critical recognition for excellence in their art practice in St. Catharines and beyond, include: Matthias Bork, Lyndsey Casey, Paul Gosen, Preston Haskell, Brita Housez, Infinitely More (Allison Lynn and Gerald Flemming), Chandi Jayawardena, Cole Lewis, Rusty and Maja, Christopher Reilly, and David Rose.

Nominees for the Making a Difference Award, which recognizes a St. Catharines arts entrepreneur, arts administrator, arts organization, arts animator, or volunteer in the arts whose leadership and innovation have significantly contributed to the growth and development of arts and culture in St. Catharines, include: Natasha Bell, Bart Gazzola, Christina Hartmann, Deanna Jones, N'ora Kalb, Helen Michlik, Yvonne Niwahereza, and Brenda Sauder.

Tickets are free and can be reserved through the Arts Centre box office at stcatharines.ca/ArtsAwardsTickets starting on Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. We tried to get a block of tickets for distribution at our October 22nd meeting. They are not designated seating, but the maximum is 6 tickets, so we suggest that everyone make their way to the box office or use the online link.

For more information on the St. Catharines Arts Awards, visit stcatharines.ca/ArtsAwards
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Our newish Web Master, Mandy Luk-Tam, has done her own beautiful collage that features the 9 members nominated by SCAA for the noted Awards above. On the opening page of the SCAA website (stcatharinesart.com) when you scroll down you will find current events involving SCAA members. Click on "2024 St. Catharines Arts Awards Nominations and Ceremony" which brings up a webpage featuring the bios and photos of our 9 Award Nominees.

Thanks to Mandy for her creativity in reporting this and other events. Kudos Mandy !