Building community through arts

Local carver David Bruce Johnson is giving back to the area’s arts community by coordinating the Artists on Location event at the Creemore Festival of the Arts. The festival takes place during the first weekend in October.

“Creemore is conducive to being artistic,” said Johnson, whose wood and stone carvings of abstract shapes, and human and animal figures have been exhibited in Toronto, Vancouver and the U.S. “I have peace of mind here.”

But Johnson wasn’t always an artist. In fact, his career began in the armed forces. But after 35 years working for the federal government, Johnson felt he needed a change.

First, he took up wood carving full-time. Then, he and his wife, Tracey Kolowska, moved from their Ottawa home to Creemore seven years ago.

On October 5 and 6, from 10 am to 4 pm, you can meet Johnson and more than 40 other artists in the area at the Artists on Location event. Formerly the Fall Studio Tour, Artists on Location gives members of the public a chance to meet artists in their studios and see their work throughout Creemore. It’s one of many events taking place as part of the three-day Creemore Festival of the Arts, which begins on October 4.

According to Miriam Vince, one of the event organizers, the festival has something for everyone: music, dance, fine art, craft, literature, theatre and children’s programming. “It represents all of the different cultural and heritage interests of this community,” she said.

Have a drink at the Old Mill House Pub and view Nicolee A. Miller’s watercolour paintings and photography. Take a foray out to Country Road 9 to witness the creation of a chainsaw carving by Jim Leithead. Visit the horticultural garden to see an Roy Hickling’s installation and performance art by Ralph Hicks. See how a portrait is painted with a live demonstration by Sara Sniderhan at the
Mad & Noisy Gallery on Mill Street.

Check the Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society website, www.phahs.ca, for a list of artists and locations, closer to the date.