Spring was in full bloom at the Scarborough Arts Council’s Bluffs Gallery.
The Spring Fever! display, one of three exhibits run SAC this year, showcased 40 mixed media, season-themed, pieces from 27 recruits.
“Visitors love the show,” SAC office coordinator Susan Dimitrakopoulos said. “We have such a variety of work, and people are very inspired by it. We have a lot of great submissions.”
The walls of the quaint, four-room gallery were brought to life by beautifully crafted images representing the splendor of springtime.
Artist Mary Lee Chisholm, submitted two mixed media pieces for the Spring Fever! exhibition. Both works were done in her forte, Bunka Shi-shu, which is Japanese punch embroidery. Chisholm is a certified master instructor of the art, and teaches classes at the Port Union Community Centre on Lawrence Avenue East and out of her home.
“Depending on the image, [Bunka] can take anywhere from 50 up to 300 hours to complete,” Chisholm said. “Usually [the art submissions] are already done. I didn’t just stitch them for this, because I couldn’t get them done that quickly.”
The pieces she submitted were completed in 1992 and 1995.
“The SAC treats their members well,” said Tharmila Rajasingam, arts management specialist. “One of the best benefits of a membership is access to exhibition space at Agincourt or Cliffcrest Library, or Bluffs Gallery. For an aspiring artist, that’s a big deal.”
The SAC also offers two workshops to Scarborough residents: Professional Practice Techniques and Photography Basics. They aim to provide the community with the tools and techniques necessary to improve their artistic skills.
The SAC’s annual event, Art in the Park, a one-day only outdoor art show and sale, is scheduled for July 17. They are currently calling for artist submissions from the community. The deadline is May 21.
