‘It is a great compliment’
Houdinidesign ARCHITECTS wins industry award for Kentville Library
The new library is town is turning some heads.
houdinidesign ARCHITECTS was recently named the winner of a 2018 Maritime Architectural Design Excellence Award in recognition of the creative vision at the heart of the transformation of the decommissioned United Church of St. Paul and St. Stephen, now a go-to community hub as the new home of the Kentville Library.
Architects associations from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick rallied together to present the awards jointly, receiving submissions from across the region. Internationally-recognized industry experts reviewed the entries.
“It is a great compliment,” says architect Lisa Tondino, owner of houdinidesign ARCHITECTS, in a recent press release.
“Being honoured by our peers is as wonderful as being selected by the users of the library as the Valley’s 2018 Best Public Space in The Grapevine.”
Team member Jordan Spidle accepted the Award of Merit on behalf of houdinidesign ARCHITECTS during a gala in Saint John, N.B. June 1. Jordan Spidle of houdinidesign accepting the 2018 Maritime Architectural Design Excellence Award from Architects’ Association of New Brunswick president Donald C. Sterritt.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work that houdinidesign put into this project,” stated Rachel Bedingfield, director of Parks and Recreation with the Town of Kentville, in a prepared statement.
“This project took a lot of time and energy and they consistently steered us toward a space that was innovative and progressive
for the site. Lisa and her team are well-deserving of accolades, and we get to appreciate the fruit of their labour for many years to come.”
The library is housed in a stone and timber-framed building constructed in 1914. The Annapolis Valley Regional Library system started operating a branch out of the renovated site in late 2017.
“This beautiful, historical building could have sat underutilized but now it is a vital part of the community that is used every day,” said Kentville Mayor Sandra Snow in a media release.
“Libraries are the foundation of a healthy community for so many reasons, and this building shows that we care about our past as well as our future.”
Hardware Gallery’s third exhibit this season, entitled Shift Focus, featuring the work of Meghan Bray and Justine Macdonald, runs until June 27.
This month’s exhibit features two artists and two mediums.
Justine Macdonald is a travel photographer and blogger based in Kentville. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of photography with others to inspire them to see the world in a new light. An award-winning photographer, Macdonald has participated in several group and solo exhibitions. She has had a lifelong interest in photography, however, “it wasn’t until moving here to the Annapolis Valley that my love of photography started to grow into what it is today. What is so inspiring about this place? Is it the beautiful scenery that almost begs to be photographed through all its colourful seasons? Is it the slow, relaxed pace and friendly people? I’m not sure, but I’m happy for it.”
Meghan Bray is a native of Saskatchewan, living in Halifax. She has an BFA from NSCAD. Bray’s work has been shaped by a mixture of influences from across Canada. She works in various media, focusing on expressionism rather than material. Meghan uses line and colour as a guide in her work. Stemming from abstract impressionism, her work often allows the line to find the structure of subject in her drawings, and using colour as hints to ease the viewer’s eye. For her current show Bray says, “I have always looked for the hidden creatures in everyday life. These creatures can be found in many places - the clouds, the stucco on the ceiling, and the patterns in the tile. I wanted to duplicate that hidden magic with this series of work; the simple line and colour creates disjointed animals, having the viewer seek them, and looking for these creatures in their everyday.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Justine and Meghan to our gallery this month. Featuring two distinct mediums their work complements and challenges the other creating a stimulating dynamic for the exhibit. This is something we at Hardware like to achieve,” said gallery director Sasha Nelson.
An opening event for the exhibit will be held June 22 at the gallery.
Hardware Gallery is the brainchild of Nelson, who holds a masters degree in fine arts from the University of Waterloo, a degree in painting from NSCAD, and is a Red Seal carpenter. Nelson saw a need in Kentville to offer a public creative space. In addition to monthly rotating exhibits, the gallery will host workshops and talks, as well as offer an art rental program.
“We’re hoping that we can create a space and a general atmosphere that will inspire people to engage more in the arts. The gallery is open to all media, traditional or otherwise. There will always be a space for what comes out as people become more engaged.”
Hardware Gallery will celebrate its grand opening June 22 with a variety of arts and culture related community events. For more information and updates go to www.hardwaregallery.ca