Franklin Beecham, Visual Artist » markham

Letter to Markham electoral candidates

Franklin Beecham, Visual Artist, Markham, Canada — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:39:32 +0000

Hello,

As you are a candidate in the 2010 Markham Municipal Elections, I would like to know where you stand regarding the Culture and Leisure of the Town of Markham, specifically regarding the Arts Culture sector.

Are you aware that the Arts Culture sector does not have a home base of its own?

From my own experience in the Arts sector, I know that there is a huge growing community dedicated to the Arts in Markham, yet funding is generally channeled towards other Culture and Leisure facilities and the Arts are all but ignored.

Let’s get down to basics: If you look on any particular wall in your home or office, you may see hanging there, a photograph or a painting or print. You may even have some sculpted art. Your child or someone you know is taking piano lessons or dance classes. You may have eaten breakfast cereal this morning from a bowl made by a local potter. You might even have a book of poetry sitting on your bedside table. These are all art forms that are created each and every day by Markham citizens.

The Arts play an integral part in the culture and heritage of any community, yet it seems to be all but forgotten because governments do not provide enough to nurture and foster the Arts.

Are you going to take the lead by helping to provide for the Arts in Markham?

When you think of the community expansions in Markham, are you going to consider implementing facilities for to the Arts as has been done with sports facilities and baseball diamonds, along with your infrastructure plans?

The Town of Markham desperately needs an Arts Centre now. It needs a facility where Arts administrators can promote the Town of Markham as an important Canadian Arts hub. It needs rehearsal space for performing artists to hone their craft and expose it to the community. It needs publicly accessible art space for the next generation of “Group of Seven” artists to show the country that there is an expanding arts movement in Markham that the Town can be proud to have supported.

I would like to know what your plans are for the Arts in Markham.

Sincerely yours,

Franklin Beecham, Visual Artist and resident of Markham

The Show just goes on…

Franklin Beecham, Visual Artist, Markham, Canada — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:28:34 +0000

Many thanks to all who came to the Art Show’s opening reception. It was the happenin’ place to be in Markham! Remember though that the Art Show goes through to December 6. Lots of great art for the holidays. Robyn created the “Artaments” tree with miniature canvases created by the artists — with proceeds going to the Centre for Dreams charity.

November Art Show

Franklin Beecham, Visual Artist, Markham, Canada — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:13:29 +0000

Looking forward to the upcoming November Markham Art Show, which runs from November 28 to December 6, 2009 at 74 Main Street in Markham. I’ll be painting some new artworks.

Keep watching this blog as more info will be coming.

Life is buzzing behind-the-scenes at the Markham Arts Council

Franklin Beecham, Visual Artist, Markham, Canada — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:32:13 +0000

First off, congratulations to Robyn on attaining her position of Marketing Coordinator at the Markham Arts Council. I know Judi will benefit greatly from your many talents. Already, you have made an impression with your creativity at the Markham Arts Council booth, bringing more members to the Arts Council. The way the booth is set up was very inviting to visitors, as was the sketch easel. The teen volunteers were also a great help. Well done!

at the Thornhill Village Festival

at Applefest in the Markham Museum

Other things in the works are the upcoming events with the Markham Teen Arts Council. They have a new executive that is as creative and energetic as the last. They garnered funding from the Trillium Foundation and are having t-shirts made up showing their new logo. A new event to be held in October is the literary showcase, WordUp! Check out their website for more info. Also watch for the 24-Hour Video Challenge and the Music & Lyrics Contest (now named “Xpression”).

The Markham Arts Council has been holding seminars lately to enhance knowledge of the business part of being an artist. An interesting session was led by members of the Ontario Arts Council, explaining grants for artists. We have a couple of contests for Photography and Poetry; and two upcoming events, the November Art Show and the 2010 Mackie Awards. Also our big fundraiser, Arts & Tarts – a Royal Tea. I’ll explain later.

Our art-loving friends Ric and Catherine are now the owners of another abstract painting of mine, “Yellow & Red” and also one of Rhiana’s oil paintings, “Locomotion“. Nicky too, sold one of his photos recently to an avid buyer. Way to go Nicky! I also have a mixed-media painting (The Pond) that’s been chosen for the Chairman’s Dinner for the Arts, a benefit for the York Region Arts Council. Rhiana has two pieces in the same event.

Its been a busy month or so lately and it doesn’t look like its going to let up.