The Markham Art Collective rolls on and continues to build the membership – expanding throughout the GTA. Obviously there are artists and supporters out there who see a need. The “Debut” art and photography exhibit at the Markham Theatre was a success. I say success because it’s always a sign of a success when there are sales of artwork, but it was an even greater success because of the nature of the event being the first ever exhibit presented by the Markham Art Collective.

Several of our members have had stunning exhibits lately: Ana Jurpik and Johanna Meharg showed at the Columbus Centre. Josée Savaria for one at the Southlake Gallery. Rhiana Sneyd had amazing sales at the Toronto Artist Project. Vera Walton, Sue Foerster and The Richmond Hill Group of Artists exhibited at the Markham Theatre. My son, Nick Beecham and his Markham Teen Arts Council are presenting their art exhibit at the McKay Art Centre in Unionville this week. Check it out if you’re in the neighbourhood. Katja Van Den Enden will be at the Southlake Gallery – March 18 to April 28. The local art world is buzzing.

For more information on the Markham Art Collective’s members and their events, go to www.markhamartcollective.com.

Returning on May 9 is the Varley Fine Art Auction. Yours truly was invited to participate again this year. What a privilege to support the Varley Art Gallery. Johanna and Ana will be there too. I’ll post more info as it comes to light.

I haven’t had much time to paint lately and don’t foresee much action until after Easter. Administrating the Markham Art Collective’s web and social media initiatives have taken much time. As has selling our house in Unionville. However, I was inspired by the diverse techniques and styles at the Toronto Artist Project. I noticed much use of resins and textures. Interesting uses of ‘found objects’. Rhiana was one of a handful of artists chosen by Sony Canada to produce a video that was shown during the event. I’m looking forward for some time to squeeze out some paint tubes and wet a canvas or two.

Let me know what’s been happening with you.

The display is showing at the Markham Theatre upper and lower lobby gallery (171 Town Center Blvd, Markham), and runs from December 28 through to January 30. Doors open from 11am to 6pm. Admission to the gallery is free. Parking is also free!

Many thanks to a great crew of volunteers who helped make this event possible, including Robyn, Ana and Vera. Thanks to the many supporters and promoters of the Markham Art Collective. We appreciate being recognized for what we are doing for the visual artists in Markham and York Region. Thank you to the Markham Theatre, Dyan Broderick, Kim Michele, Linda Walesch, York Region Arts Council, Things To Do in York Region, Guiding Star and Easel Rentals.

Thanks also to the participating artists and photographers – your work certainly shines on the walls of the gallery. We look forward to meeting you at the Artist Reception on Saturday, January 14 from 2pm to 5pm.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the art pieces, please go to the Theatre Box Office for information.

On behalf of my family, I’d like to wish you and yours, a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

The Markham Art Collective is continuing its steady momentum of supporting the art world. Being as visible as possible is the aim of self promotion in the competitive world of the arts.

We recently visited the Stouffville Studio Tour and met some interesting and friendly artists, some of whom signed on to our free Art Directory. Next stop was the Markham48 Studio Tour. Again new friends were made which led to me writing a review on a great artist service: Easel Rentals. During this time I went full steam into SEO (search engine optimization) mode and got the Markham Art Collective into high Google rankings. Through the use of Twitter, we garnered several ‘followers’, then came the Facebook Page and on to LinkedIn, where I created a discussion group.

Being endorsed by respected arts contacts such as Nancy Bodi, Executive Director of the York Region Arts Council, Helen Walter of Wilson Street Studios and many others goes to show that the time was ripe for a new player in the local art scene. I explained to Judi McIntyre, Chair of the York Region Arts Council, that we weren’t about to step on anyone’s toes. Instead, we are here to support artists with our virtual resource. And it’s working tremendously. Artists are posing questions and getting easy responses.

Our biggest coup to date is Debut, our first invitational art and photography exhibit, which will run from December 28, 2011 to January 30, 2012. An assortment of 28 artists and photographers from all over York Region will have their creativity on display at the Markham Theatre’s upper and lower lobby galleries.

Many of these artists have never exhibited together before which will make the Artist Reception an active event and one not to miss. The Reception will be held on January 14 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and I encourage you to gather your friends and come and mingle with some hot creative talent. This event is generously sponsored by Dyan Broderick, Sales Representative from Sutton Group – Heritage Realty Inc Brokerage. We will be featuring special guest harpist, Kim Michele who will bring the ambiance to a comfortable level with her skillful playing.

A month or so old and the traffic to the website is consistent and stable, and with entries on social networks we are gathering new artists and interest on a daily basis. So when you have a moment, come and visit the website at www.markhamartcollective.com, you never know, there might be a source or a video that will help to make you get noticed.

see and be seen.

www.markhamartcollective.com

Markham Art Collective is the new, non-profit online visual art resource website
based in Unionville, Markham, Ontario.
This unique free service is in the continual process of compiling art resource information
not readily available elsewhere, with the help of local contributors’ experiences and sources.
The group’s mission is to provide supplemental information and resources for visual artists,
including online discussions in order to enhance the visual art experience.

Introducing markhamartcollective.com

Why you ask?

The visual art community needs a current local resource and voice, hence the development of this site. An ongoing entity, it will serve to supplement arts information not currently offered locally. Whether from the Markham, Unionville, Aurora, Thornhill and elsewhere in York Region, we will strive to keep the news up-to-date. There are many collective sites like this, but the difference is that most of the articles, blogs and news information is supplied by people like you.

What’s in it for you?

We invite you to list your name in the directory (for free) which will be linked to your website or blog. Linking on this site will also benefit your search engine strategy depending on how popular the site gets. Reciprocal links are welcome but not required. If you have an event you want to have posted, contact us and we’ll list it as soon as we can.

Visit the site and you’ll see categories including: Art Health, Event listings, Calls for submissions, a Blog, artist spotlight ‘On the Wall‘, Artist tips and tricks, Artist directory and interesting links.

The site will also be used as a sounding box for times when we need to voice our concerns. You may know that some artists and arts groups have asked political leaders (and prospects) questions on visual artist support. We will also advocate on your behalf. Dialogue takes two and we intend to keep asking for support.

If you wish to be included in the directory and/or have offerings of tips and resources, please don’t hesitate to contact us using the online form.

Feel free to visit the website at, www.markhamartcollective.com and yes, pass it on to your colleagues and artist friends. See and be seen.

With the potential cutbacks that have been debated over and over in Toronto, and by vague promises by MPP candidates, it is becoming more and more obvious that maverick attitudes need to be adjusted to save the arts industry. Sure, make cuts so that buses can run for the less fortunate, but don’t waste taxpayer’s time and money on frivolous spending?

Commercial construction developments are sprouting faster than a chia pet, yet vacant spaces in ‘older’ buildings grow just as quick. Who’s getting the tax break? Who paid for the infrastructure that leads to said building? What happens to that space? Can it be utilized by the arts sector or NFPs?

You know what it takes to put on a theatrical production, dance performance or concert, an art show or spoken word. Where is the support and space you need to rehearse, to learn, to exhibit?

If you belong to an arts organization, it’s time to get on their case and push for advocacy. What are they doing to support you the individual? You pay your dues. What are you getting for it? If your member organization is unable to provide an adequate answer, it’s going to be up to you to take a stand.

Do the same with politicians and community leaders until you are satisfied. Rise up and tell the leaders of society that the arts and culture sector is as important to the economy as raising taxes. Rally support from your peers. Use social media networks. Get the message across to as many as possible.

The character, Howard Beale’s signature catchphrase from the movie, Network said it all: “We’re as mad as hell, and we’re not going to take this anymore.”

All it takes is your voice. The time is now!