Artwork front and centre

Glace Bay group hosting annual art show June 14-15

Ken Tilley always wanted to take art classes and took the plunge about four years ago.

“My wife Sharon works part time at Michaels and they had an artist come in and do some lessons,” said Tilley, who is originally from Glace Bay and now lives in Sydney River.

“I always wanted to try it so I went in there. That’s where it all began.”

Then he heard about the Glace Bay Art Club and joined. He’s glad he did.

“They are just the greatest bunch, everyone helps everybody. When you’re doing a piece with some difficulty there’s always an artist who has been there a long time and they just come over and sit with you and help you through it.”

Tilley said he really can’t draw and some people think if you can’t draw you can’t paint but that’s wrong.

“You can trace it if you can’t draw and then paint it. I love to paint, it’s therapy almost. Anyone at home wanting to get away from the television, it’s the best thing in the world.”

Tilley will be featuring art

pieces in the club’s annual end of the season art show June 14-15 from 12-8 p.m.

The club currently has 18 members from beginner to advanced, painting in all mediums.

Cecilia MacIntosh, who has been a member since 2006, said most members will have five pieces on display at the art show and most will be for sale. The artists will be on hand.

“The members are from all over, we have one from Louisbourg and from Sydney and we have all ages,” she said.

“Tena Sharpe is in her mid90s. She’s real special, she’s still driving and comes to all our art group sessions.”

MacIntosh said the group meets from September to May and always wraps up with the annual art show.

Louise Barkhouse of Glace Bay joined in 1981.

“I started at home and then thought it would be great to join and get some new ideas,” she said. “It’s the friendships we have and the ideas we share.

“It’s a good feeling when someone takes the time to look at (the artwork) and to say they like it.”

However she also enjoys the show as a chance to see the finished work of other members.

“Some might miss a week and at the show you get to see everyone’s finished pieces.”

SHARON MONTGOMERY-DUPE PHOTOS/CAPE BRETON POST Glace Bay native Ken Tilley, who now lives in Sydney River, works on his painting of an owl during a Glace Bay Art Club session at the Glace Bay fire hall. Tilley took up painting about four years ago and finds it therapeutic. The art club is holding...

Louise Barkhouse, left, a member of the Glace Bay Art Club, chats with fellow member Cecilia MacIntosh while working on a painting, during a group session at the Glace Bay fire hall.