Experience world-class art in a unique location
Parrsboro Art Lab Studios and Gallery celebrates community’s artistic talent
“There is an opportunity here at art lab to experience world-class art in this unusual location where you can come see exhibitions that could be in larger centres.”
Michael Fuller
PARRSBORO, N.S. — Parrsboro is gaining increasing renown as an artistic hub and a loose co-op formed by a group of local artists is furthering that cause.
Several years ago, five artists came together under one roof in a former Main Street restaurant to open the Parrsboro Art Lab Studios and Gallery and it has helped further develop the community’s artistic reputation.
After all, with the natural scenic beauty of the Bay of Fundy and the impressive scenery of the community and the entire shore, the group has hit its stride.
Michael Fuller, a former cofounder and artistic director with Ship’s Company Theatre, is joined by Janet Doble and Krista Wells in addition to Jill Langford and Krista Levy Odlin.
“There is an opportunity here at art lab to experience world-class art in this unusual location where you can come see exhibitions that could be in larger centres,” Fuller said. “You can come to art lab and take courses with some of the top level artists in our region from abstract, to plein air and other forms.”
Fuller has been painting for years after working in theatre for quite a while. He paints everything from work inspired by the dramatic environment of Cumberland County to sensitive portraits of its people.
Doble has more than 30 years experience as a production potter. After discovering a source for local clay in Diligent River, her work went in a new direction. She continues to explore themes of asymmetry, pattern and decoration in unique functional pottery that enhances the rituals of daily life. Her sculptural pieces based on vase and platter forms find inspiration in the textures and colours of the rugged area.
Langford’s work is inspired by the sea. She layers strong transparent colours of ink to explore pattern and texture, myth and magic.
Odlin is a trained costume designer and brings those skills and a wonderful sense of both playfulness and sophistication to her creations. She has a fascination with repurposing found objects.
Wells, who helped create the studio with Brenda Wood in 2014, describes herself as a storyteller. She paints, illustrates, sculpts, creates mosaics and jewelry and has published four dog-themed books.
The space includes a 1,200-square foot studio/ gallery area as well as a 450-square foot workroom for workshops as well as a 400-square foot community gallery. Its goal is simple: to provide working studios for a group of artists in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere, to provide retail opportunity for the five artists in the co-operative, and to create a vibrant and welcoming venue for anyone interested in various art and craft forms through workshops, demonstrations, classes and general interaction with working artists.
It also provides exhibition space in the community for guest artists and there are now art supplies for sale.
Even though COVID-19 has thrown a few curve balls their way, Fuller said 2020 has gone well.
“We had to start a little later than we normally start because of COVID and we had to cancel our May and June courses,” he said. “Our courses have a bit of a following around the Maritimes. This year we had to limit our course attendance to 10 because of COVID and we quickly sold out. People are watching for us now.”
He said the co-op is not about making lots of money. Each of the five artists has a reason for being there, but a common theme is a love of the arts and desire for sharing that passion with the community through its exhibitions, classes and courses.
Among the events to close out 2020 is a membership exhibition that will be followed by a community exhibition through November and December.
Fuller said efforts to create a cultural community has helped attract artists and new residents to the Parrsboro area. Along with Parrsboro Creative, Ship’s Company Theatre and others, it has all helped enhance the community’s standing as a hub for the arts.
He said the lab has been successful and the artists are happy with how things have gone, although they sometimes wonder if it has reached its full potential or what they could have done if they were all about 10 years younger.
Fuller said the relationship among the five is strong. He is also hoping more people from outside the community learn of the quality work being done there.
“If the general public knows about the quality of work being done here it will benefit everyone. It’s hard to rely on word of mouth because word of mouth takes a long time,” Fuller said. “What we have here is working.”
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