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.

My role within my local arts community has changed to one on the sidelines and with that a look at what direction I wish to take with my art. My core explorations will always be enhanced as my art matures and I’ll always be influenced by my environment. With all that in mind I decided to rework my website a little, adding more social media tools in order to harness the power of the search engines. Having a history in seo, I have been fortunate to have my web presence ranked high. One way to do this is to use social media applications to encourage users to visit more often and to entice communication. The new look site is barely different from a month ago except for the social media enhancements and the addition of a few new paintings.

The Markham Art Show is currently underway, and usually at this time of year I am scrambling to make up new stock for the show, but I decided that after the success of my December show, “The Colour of Art”, I would take a break and focus on developing a new series for an upcoming June show at the McKay Gallery in Unionville. I was recently invited to submit a painting for the annual, but prestigious Varley Art Auction. Not wanting to send in old work, I created a brand new piece just for this event.

New changes have also affected the Markham Arts Council and York Region Arts Council. Judi McIntyre, long time Executive Director has retired from the MAC and was recently elected to the Chair position of the YRAC Board of Directors. Judi had previously sat on the Board representing the interests of Markham, and chairs the Arts Exposed Conference coming up in April (as previously written about). Hopefully Judi will use her experience as an arts organizer to motivate the region’s arts sector in a forward direction.

Congratulations to Samantha Rodin on her election to the YRAC Board of Directors. Sam exudes an energetic positive attitude towards the development and sustainability of visual arts. Her youth is a valuable asset to the region’s arts sector and her voice will be heard, I’m sure! Sam is currently displaying her art at the Markham Art Show in the Markville Mall.

In the meantime, I am happy to have met the new Executive Director of the MAC, Helen Argiro. Helen brings with her a progressive attitude that will I’m sure, propel the MAC’s arts initiatives into a new and positive level. I believe that between Helen, Robyn and (I hope) a forward-thinking Board, the MAC will continue to uphold its leadership in the Region’s arts community.

The artists and art groups of the region must also change old attitudes to their development in the culture sector. I have long-since watched the apathy towards involvement by some of my peers. Too many bench-warmers and not enough players. Forget the politics of art and move forward by encouraging a younger and more diverse demographic to grow. I believe that the region’s arts groups need to agree on a systematic program of display and performance that will put them on the larger map. We are only small-time artists if we have no support from our member organizations. Changes need to happen now.

It’s almost spring: let’s put our heads together and start some strategic developing.

Click here to read more info.

It is a fascinating exhibit of avant-garde works from this little-known Canadian institution, enveloping visual, literary and performing arts.

A must-see for artists and art lovers.