Take a trek
Published Thursday October 9th, 2008
Artists in the Fredericton area are throwing open their studios and inviting the public to take a look.
Art Trek '08, taking place Oct. 18-19, invites you to 'open your eyes' to the art being produced in the area.
It is a chance to watch an artist work, ask questions and even do a bit of shopping should something strike your fancy.
"Art Trek is a studio tour that happens every year the first weekend after Thanksgiving," says Maria Bourgeois, co-ordinator of the Fredericton Arts Alliance, the group behind the annual event.
"It's designed to be an opportunity to do something different than going to a gallery. The public actually gets to meet the artists, to find out what they do, how they do it, why they do it."
Art Trek is a free event that is open to everyone. And, thanks to the way it is set up, it tends to attract a different type of audience than might normally visit a gallery.
"This is completely different. On the Sunday, you might find a family that is doing the trek together. This makes art accessible," says Bourgeois.
That has certainly been the experience of some of the artists.
"It's truly a community thing," says Line Lagacé-Basque, a painter. "A gallery doesn't draw everyone in a community, it draws a certain segment."
For some, it's the intimidation factor.
"It's not elitism, it's perceived elitism," notes Bourgeois. "The galleries themselves might not want to have just that audience, but traditionally some people are more intimidated by galleries."
The relaxed atmosphere of Art Trek, with people visiting galleries at their own pace, takes any potential feelings of discomfort away. Truly, the studio tour is simply giving people what they want, she says.
"The Canada Council did a study in New Brunswick this past year and I believe that 77 per cent of people in New Brunswick actually want to go in and speak to an artisan, to see an artisan do their work," says Bourgeois.
And that's what Art Trek is giving them the opportunity to do.
"They want to see the creative process," says Lagacé-Basque. "It makes it more interesting."
From the perspective of the artists, having people come right to their studios is also a positive.
"As an artist, you're looking for opportunities to display your work and for people to know what you do," she says.
Lagacé-Basque works with oils and creates images that have been described as "magic realism."
She enjoys painting people, especially children, she says.
"I'm not drawn to painting something if it doesn't have people in it."
Getting your work in front of people is always a challenge for an artist, no matter what medium they work in.
"Some people don't frequent galleries. For some people, galleries are intimidating and they prefer to go to an artist's studio.
"And some people like to see you working, too, to see the whole process of how you build something from scratch," she says.
Also, artists need reinforcement, says Lagacé-Basque, noting most of them feed off input, whether it's positive or constructive criticism.
"(Art Trek) is an opportunity to talk to people, to get their point of view on what you're doing," she says.
Another artist on this year's tour is Cynthia Ryder. She has been a member of the Fredericton Arts Alliance for the past three years and this will be her third Art Trek. She and her husband, David Ryder, create one-of-a-kind art jewelry.
"For us it's an opportunity to exhibit in the Fredericton area, which we're unable to do a lot."
Their studio is located out towards Harvey Station, she explains, so being in the city is nice. They are guest artists at Loominations, the studio of weaver Karen LeBlanc.
"It's exposure to people who might not otherwise go into studios or into galleries. ... We look at it as an opportunity to let people know how things get made, the creative process," says Ryder.
Lagacé-Basque and Ryder are two of the 28 artists taking part in Art Trek '08. These include a textile artist, painters, a surface artist, jewellers, a photographer, fibre artists, mixed media artists and a sculptor
"That's the highest number we've ever had," says Bourgeois. "So they're crammed into seven locations."
But that works well, as people don't have to travel far to take all of the studios in.
The studio tour kicks off on Friday, Oct. 17, with an opening night event from 7-9 p.m. at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre.
"It's an open event in every way," says Bourgeois. "Any artist is welcome to attend, any person is welcome to attend."
The more people who appreciate art that are on-hand, the better, says Ryder.
"That's one thing that will never change about art - we are absolutely nothing without our appreciators," she says.
The studio tours get underway on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 19 from noon until 5 p.m.
Participants can pick up a map in advance from the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Westminster Books or City Hall and plan a route, or you can go to one of the participating studios during the event and get a map there.
There is no charge for this event, says Bourgeois, adding, "And it's also not a juried competition, which is an interesting thing to note. It accepts all artists and all mediums. Basically, it's first come, first serve. If we've got a spot for you, you're in."
All of the Art Treks have been that way, she says.
"It's a good way for an emerging artist to show their work. It's a way in for new artists," she says.
"And people are exposed to all different types of art."
Each of the artists bring something special to their work, a completely different style, so there is something of interest for everyone.
Art Trek is put on by the Fredericton Arts Alliance. The organization has three key mandates, says Bourgeois.
"One is advocacy for the arts and artists, the second one is to promote arts awareness, and the third one is to connect the community with art, which is what this program does."
Bourgeois encourages people to take advantage of this year's Art Trek, as it's a great way to see the city's creative spaces and maybe do a little holiday shopping.
"I hope people take away a genuine appreciation of art and it's value in the community," she says. "Because we need that."
To learn more about the Fredericton Arts Alliance, visit www.frederictonartsalliance.ca.
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