I stopped in to see the kids' art class at the King Township Museum on Saturday morning. The topic was 'bead buddies." I didn't know what to expect, but found the instructor explaining how to make animal shapes using different coloured beads in a pattern. One little girl named Julie Ann was working intently, making a little bunny. I asked if the bunny had a name. Silly me. Of course it had. "Sally," she told me.
Sally and Julie Ann became close friends as soon as the last bead was in place and the last knot was tied. Sally was going home with Julie Ann and her new home would be a perch on top of a much-loved back pack. As I watched Julie Ann interact with her creation, I was struck by the strong bond between kids and art. They embrace it in a personal way that few adults can. They concentrate with their whole being. For them art is work, not play. They are learning several skills all at once: hand-eye co-ordination, the colour spectrum, geometry and, above all, self-expression.
I have often observed my 2 year-old grandaughter at her easel. She clenches the marker or the paint brush tightly in her fist, and she screws her face up in a look of determination that adults only exhibit at a betting table with high stakes. She focuses entirely on the paper as she makes lines, circles, and dots, creating a design that only she can identify. She grabs the brown marker. "Oh brown!! she squeals. "I didn't use brown for a long time!" She whips off the top and makes huge brown spirals in the centre of her page.
How glorious it would be if only adults had that much enthusiasm fot the brown things in life.
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Monday, 12 May 2014
Mellow Yellow
The weather tells us it's spring and if you want to be assured, you should visit the Mellow Yellow exhibit at the King museum.
As you walk in the door you will be transported to sunset beaches and gently rolling waves. Footprints along the shore lead you to a restful Muskoka chair and a glass of wine.
In another room, bright tulips and sunflowers shout summer. Fluffy dandelions wave gently in a field of grasses. Meadows of wheat call out for a picnic lunch.Summer is definitely in the air.
A young girl visiting the exhibit decides to try her hand at re-creating a sunset beach. She gleefully mixes gobs of yellow and orange and smears the result generously on to the paper. She adds a lake of purple and blue at the bottom and seems pleased with the result. She plans to return another day to try another summer sketch.
As you walk in the door you will be transported to sunset beaches and gently rolling waves. Footprints along the shore lead you to a restful Muskoka chair and a glass of wine.
In another room, bright tulips and sunflowers shout summer. Fluffy dandelions wave gently in a field of grasses. Meadows of wheat call out for a picnic lunch.Summer is definitely in the air.
A young girl visiting the exhibit decides to try her hand at re-creating a sunset beach. She gleefully mixes gobs of yellow and orange and smears the result generously on to the paper. She adds a lake of purple and blue at the bottom and seems pleased with the result. She plans to return another day to try another summer sketch.
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Behind the Scenes
Dear ASK Friends;
Well you may not have seen much publicity about ASK events recently, but, behind the scenes, there are dozens of staff and volunteers, scampering around like energizer bunnies, planning interesting things for you to do this Spring, Summer and Fall.
First up we have our annual Studio Tour, April 26-27. This is an opportunity for you to travel around King Township on a Lovely Sunny Weekend. You get to visit artists in their own home studios and talk to them in person about their work. Often they provide water or coffee, although no comments please about any dirty dishes you may notice in their sinks!
Next is another evening in our Travel Diary series, Wednesday April 30. This is a unique night of conversation at the Nobleton Library with a university student, Montana Mortimer, who recently went on a Queen's University exchange for 5 months. During that time she travelled around her home base of Australia, and in her free time she skipped over to neighbouring New Zealand and Southeast Asia, for some travelling and photographing there.
On May 3rd we have the opening of our 3rd art show at the King Museum, "Mellow Yellow." This show will be on display Tuesdays through Saturdays until June 10th. Come and see how our artists interpret that bright sunny colour. If you visit on opening day, you'll have a chance to meet the artists themselves. AND there will be refreshments.
In your mailbox on June 3rd you will find the summer issue of King MOSAiC. The cover may shock you, and the contents will entertain, inform, and educate. Inside the magazine you will find your ASK Festival King brochure. Read it and discover lots of interesting workshops, and unique tours and events to keep you busy every day from July 10 to July 24.
Ah but we are not done! On September 14th we'll hold the Schomberg Street Gallery. The entire Main Street of Schomberg will be closed off and artists' booths will line the curbs.
And Finally - in October we have an AMAZING event for you to enter. We can't say much yet, but get those cars tuned up and ready!
Hope to see you soon at one of our many events. And now I have run out of space.
Sue
Well you may not have seen much publicity about ASK events recently, but, behind the scenes, there are dozens of staff and volunteers, scampering around like energizer bunnies, planning interesting things for you to do this Spring, Summer and Fall.
First up we have our annual Studio Tour, April 26-27. This is an opportunity for you to travel around King Township on a Lovely Sunny Weekend. You get to visit artists in their own home studios and talk to them in person about their work. Often they provide water or coffee, although no comments please about any dirty dishes you may notice in their sinks!
Next is another evening in our Travel Diary series, Wednesday April 30. This is a unique night of conversation at the Nobleton Library with a university student, Montana Mortimer, who recently went on a Queen's University exchange for 5 months. During that time she travelled around her home base of Australia, and in her free time she skipped over to neighbouring New Zealand and Southeast Asia, for some travelling and photographing there.
On May 3rd we have the opening of our 3rd art show at the King Museum, "Mellow Yellow." This show will be on display Tuesdays through Saturdays until June 10th. Come and see how our artists interpret that bright sunny colour. If you visit on opening day, you'll have a chance to meet the artists themselves. AND there will be refreshments.
In your mailbox on June 3rd you will find the summer issue of King MOSAiC. The cover may shock you, and the contents will entertain, inform, and educate. Inside the magazine you will find your ASK Festival King brochure. Read it and discover lots of interesting workshops, and unique tours and events to keep you busy every day from July 10 to July 24.
Ah but we are not done! On September 14th we'll hold the Schomberg Street Gallery. The entire Main Street of Schomberg will be closed off and artists' booths will line the curbs.
And Finally - in October we have an AMAZING event for you to enter. We can't say much yet, but get those cars tuned up and ready!
Hope to see you soon at one of our many events. And now I have run out of space.
Sue
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Wake Up From Winter!
Dear Arts Friends;
If this ongoing damp, dreary weather is making you feel listless, and lethargic, don't take extra vitamins; go to the King Township Museum! Take in the Going Green Art show instead.
As you walk in the door, your mind will be awakened by the bright purple crocuses, brilliant red poppies, and glorious happy sunflowers. Your soul will be soothed as you gaze upon calm northern lakes and meandering river swollen with lush green reeds. Your feet will long to wander through sun-dappled woodland paths. You will envy the black bear as he lumbers along on rocks warmed by the sun. Your heart will be touched by the baby lambs chasing one another through green pastures, and the ducklings having their first swim. Your imagination will be awakened as you study the wooden bowls and vases hand carved from trees in our own backyards. Your funny bone will be tickled at the trio of bugs sporting furry eyebrows, scales, whiskers, and antennae.
Yes folks, it's time to put away those wooly socks and comforters. The very best of Ontario's changing seasons is upon us. Visit the Going Green art show at the Museum and Wake Up!
Sue
If this ongoing damp, dreary weather is making you feel listless, and lethargic, don't take extra vitamins; go to the King Township Museum! Take in the Going Green Art show instead.
As you walk in the door, your mind will be awakened by the bright purple crocuses, brilliant red poppies, and glorious happy sunflowers. Your soul will be soothed as you gaze upon calm northern lakes and meandering river swollen with lush green reeds. Your feet will long to wander through sun-dappled woodland paths. You will envy the black bear as he lumbers along on rocks warmed by the sun. Your heart will be touched by the baby lambs chasing one another through green pastures, and the ducklings having their first swim. Your imagination will be awakened as you study the wooden bowls and vases hand carved from trees in our own backyards. Your funny bone will be tickled at the trio of bugs sporting furry eyebrows, scales, whiskers, and antennae.
Yes folks, it's time to put away those wooly socks and comforters. The very best of Ontario's changing seasons is upon us. Visit the Going Green art show at the Museum and Wake Up!
Sue
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Delivering Art by Auto
This week's challenge was for our ASK volunteers to deliver our quarterly magazine, King MOSAiC, to post offices, businesses, coffee shops, libraries, and advertisers.
We encountered the expected obstacles of winter: icy driveways, slippery sidewalks, snow-covered signage, snow piles in parking spaces.
Often we would fight our way to the front door, knock loudly, and then find nobody home! It seems that many businesses: garden centres and patio restaurants for example, are seasonal in King, and their owners, like so many others, have gone away for the winter. Who could blame them really?
Other obstacles for our delivery persons are more tempting in nature. It is hard to leave copies of MOSAiC at a bakery without buying a little bite of biscotti, a butter tart, or maybe a chicken panini. One of the delivery routes takes the driver right past the Hwy 89 Outlet Mall! For heaven's sake, who could resist a little shopping for some bargain clothes?
Another problem for our drivers always is vague directions: "Go up the 7th concession to approximately the 5th driveway on the left, or maybe it is the 6th. Anyway, you will see the little red mailbox on the side of the driveway. (Unfortunately covered in snow). Another direction: "Leave them at Mr. Clean." ?? Turned out to be a laundromat!
But the most exciting delivery story comes from a new delivery person, out with a friend for a country drive on a sunny day. At their first stop the driver left the car door open, went to the front entrance with her copies of the magazine, and knocked loudly. She was greeted by 5, yes FIVE dogs, all yapping excitedly and racing towards her car. They hurled themselves inside the car, a new model with leather seats.The friend sat frozen in fear as the driver got them all out and shut the car door. Then the friend screamed out the window - there's still one left in the back!!
Our volunteer delivery drivers deserve a lot of credit for taking their personal time to deliver your copy of King MOSAiC. We hope you enjoy it!
Sue
PS - If you didn't get a copy, go to kingmosaic.ca and see our magazine online
We encountered the expected obstacles of winter: icy driveways, slippery sidewalks, snow-covered signage, snow piles in parking spaces.
Often we would fight our way to the front door, knock loudly, and then find nobody home! It seems that many businesses: garden centres and patio restaurants for example, are seasonal in King, and their owners, like so many others, have gone away for the winter. Who could blame them really?
Other obstacles for our delivery persons are more tempting in nature. It is hard to leave copies of MOSAiC at a bakery without buying a little bite of biscotti, a butter tart, or maybe a chicken panini. One of the delivery routes takes the driver right past the Hwy 89 Outlet Mall! For heaven's sake, who could resist a little shopping for some bargain clothes?
Another problem for our drivers always is vague directions: "Go up the 7th concession to approximately the 5th driveway on the left, or maybe it is the 6th. Anyway, you will see the little red mailbox on the side of the driveway. (Unfortunately covered in snow). Another direction: "Leave them at Mr. Clean." ?? Turned out to be a laundromat!
But the most exciting delivery story comes from a new delivery person, out with a friend for a country drive on a sunny day. At their first stop the driver left the car door open, went to the front entrance with her copies of the magazine, and knocked loudly. She was greeted by 5, yes FIVE dogs, all yapping excitedly and racing towards her car. They hurled themselves inside the car, a new model with leather seats.The friend sat frozen in fear as the driver got them all out and shut the car door. Then the friend screamed out the window - there's still one left in the back!!
Our volunteer delivery drivers deserve a lot of credit for taking their personal time to deliver your copy of King MOSAiC. We hope you enjoy it!
Sue
PS - If you didn't get a copy, go to kingmosaic.ca and see our magazine online
Friday, 14 March 2014
Hello arts communities everywhere.
Well spring will be arriving in the Toronto area in just a few days, but who would know it? Our recent winter storm created havoc on the roads, for workplaces, and with our social lives. We just can't seem to get away from it!
One such casualty is our Arts Society King annual St. Patrick's Limerick event. Cancelled. Although we planned to hold it in a cozy room with a big warm fireplace, the area is called Cold Creek! Nobody going anywhere that even Sounds like cold these days.
So to cheer you up, a little limerick about the winter:
The trees are still brittle and dead.
The snowbanks are tall as your head.
The roads are still icy and no one feels nicey -
We all want to just stay in bed!
We long for a sense of the Spring,
The buds that warm weather will bring.
But until the snow geos and the river bed flows -
We won't see a single green thing!
Happy St. Patrick's Day evernone and -
The Top o' the Mornin' To Ye!
Sue
Well spring will be arriving in the Toronto area in just a few days, but who would know it? Our recent winter storm created havoc on the roads, for workplaces, and with our social lives. We just can't seem to get away from it!
One such casualty is our Arts Society King annual St. Patrick's Limerick event. Cancelled. Although we planned to hold it in a cozy room with a big warm fireplace, the area is called Cold Creek! Nobody going anywhere that even Sounds like cold these days.
So to cheer you up, a little limerick about the winter:
The trees are still brittle and dead.
The snowbanks are tall as your head.
The roads are still icy and no one feels nicey -
We all want to just stay in bed!
We long for a sense of the Spring,
The buds that warm weather will bring.
But until the snow geos and the river bed flows -
We won't see a single green thing!
Happy St. Patrick's Day evernone and -
The Top o' the Mornin' To Ye!
Sue
Friday, 7 March 2014
WELCOME to our new ASK Blog!
This blog is being created to help you learn about the offerings of arts, heritage and nature which are available, attractive, and affordable in King Township.
As the recently elected president of Arts Society King, (ASK) , I plan to post here weekly about events and activities that take place in our community. King, recently dubbed by some as "the playground north of the city," offers a lot of interesting diversions for those who live here, and those who want a break from urban complexity, and traffic congestion!.
For example, this weekend marks the end of our first annual Winter Bites. After an unprecedented winter of ice storms, drifting snow and blowing cold winds, what could be better than a cozy chair and a hot bowl of home-made soup or fresh pasta lovingly created by a culinary artist? The surroundings? - a crackling fireplace, provocative art work, and musical entertainment. This is definitely the recipe for a perfect winter evening in one of our local restaurants, with a fixed price menu and lots of choices.
For more information go to our newly renovated website at artssocietyking.ca
Next week I will share some poetry with you. No, not academic achievement, but rather - local, lyrical, and sometimes lusty - limericks. Stay in touch!
Sue
As the recently elected president of Arts Society King, (ASK) , I plan to post here weekly about events and activities that take place in our community. King, recently dubbed by some as "the playground north of the city," offers a lot of interesting diversions for those who live here, and those who want a break from urban complexity, and traffic congestion!.
For example, this weekend marks the end of our first annual Winter Bites. After an unprecedented winter of ice storms, drifting snow and blowing cold winds, what could be better than a cozy chair and a hot bowl of home-made soup or fresh pasta lovingly created by a culinary artist? The surroundings? - a crackling fireplace, provocative art work, and musical entertainment. This is definitely the recipe for a perfect winter evening in one of our local restaurants, with a fixed price menu and lots of choices.
For more information go to our newly renovated website at artssocietyking.ca
Next week I will share some poetry with you. No, not academic achievement, but rather - local, lyrical, and sometimes lusty - limericks. Stay in touch!
Sue
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