New venue for annual LAA fall art show

By Walter J. Lyng, September 5th, 2012

For many, the Lakeshore Association of Artists' outdoor fall show has become something of a tradition.  This year, organizer Ingrid Black wants to make sure that the show will be going ahead as planned, just at a different venue.
“People expect this show every year, of course, and they're used to it at Stewart Hall but it won't be there this year because of construction,” she says. “We can't set our tents up there. So we're going to be in Ste. Anne de Bellevue.”
The show will be set up, on Sept. 8 and 9, on the campus of John Abbott College, which is especially fitting as the LAA has been supporting the school's art program recently. In turn, Black says that John Abbott has gone beyond the call of duty in terms of helping the LAA get their show ready.
“We were in a position where we had to find a new charity to partner with a couple of years ago and we went with John Abbot and they really put in a big effort,” she says. “It's helping the arts program for those who are in financial difficulty. When you're doing a show like this, you need the help of whomever you're associating with and they're doing a lot of work and sharing the weight of all the preparations involved.”
Black is quick to mention the other added benefits of the new venue, including plenty of free parking and the proximity to the tourist-popular waterfront area, with all of its restaurants, bistros, and boardwalks.
The show itself will feature the usual assortment of watercolours, acrylics and oils as well as some hand-crafted goods courtesy of a few select potters who will be on hand, selling their wares.
“I know the economic times are tough but the artists have been encouraged to create smaller works so as to say within an affordable range,” says Black.
Furthermore, artists Craig Skinner and Valerie Harper have each donated a piece which will be raffled off.
Because it is an outdoor show, weather will play some kind of role. Rain or shine, however, Black says the show will go forward.
“Hopefully it's not going to rain,” she says. “We always pray every year.
The other nice thing, however, is that John Abbot has this beautiful space for us, should we have to go indoors.”
Another traditional element of these shows, the tea room, will also be making its return - this year featuring a trio of live musicians to accompany the Earl Grey and biscuits.
Above all else, Black stresses that although their venues may sometimes change, their commitment to the community remains constant.
“The Lakeshore Association of Artists has been around a long time and we want to keep on donating to the community,” she says.
For more information, visit www.lakeshoreartistsassociation.ca