Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture Fine Art and Fine Craft Show

 Pottery and Wool Sculptures

 Clay Sculpture, oil portrait and wool rug hooking ( from Wales!)

 Handmade Bagpipes and Chanters

 Pottery

 Forge Iron Great Blue Heron and Oil Painting

 

One of the great joys of this year for me has to be the creation of the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture's Fine Art and Fine Craft Show.

I dare you to say that 10x really fast!!

When I decided to return to school to get my BSc in Environmental Science alot of my friends were more than slightly confused. They had known my love for art and I had always said I would go to Art school if given the chance. Many felt that a creative mind could not coexist with a scientific mind. I began to meet fellow classmates and teachers and talk with them (I am a gabber!) I learned of the hidden depth of creative talent lurking within the schools population. I wanted to show off that talent to prove to my friends that scientific minds are very creative ones. I thought having an art show would be a really great idea and approached the head librarian almost 2 years ago.

It has taken that long to make this kernel of an idea sprout into a lovely show. 

It was set up for students, staff, alumni and faculty. I learned alot of things during an incredibly steep learning curve but I would do it all over again. I learned that the general public is scared to go to an art show. They fear that it will cost them money, that someone will judge them harshly and that they will not have the mental capability of understanding the emotional angst an artist felt during the creation of their piece.

Mental angst? Really? Is that what art has become? If so, then we as artists have a lot to answer for. Like it or love it our motto was "No drama, come enjoy and  participate". For many of the artists it was the first time they ever showed their work in a public forum. For many more it was a chance to come and enjoy an adult version of show and tell. Opening night was a wonderful experience full of excited participants and pleasantly surprised spectators. Whether they were admirers or artists, after our show closed up, the interest in repeating the event was piqued. Those who missed out on the first show are now interested in participating in the next show.

And that's what it really is all about isn't it? 

Feeling like you are part of something. Here is hoping the next one is even more successful.