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.