Lennoxville Art Group paints their way to 30 years
A group of local artists is excited to share their art projects with the community during their upcoming Spring Art Show.
As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, the local art group is welcoming the community to the Amédée-beaudoin Community Centre to view a display of paintings on display. The art show will be split into two days. On June 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be a vernissage and the show will continue on Friendship Day, June 10 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Each member will get assigned a wall and they will put their artwork on display for all to enjoy. There will also be a studio sale with affordable unframed paintings, in addition to cards and smaller paintings.
According to Pauline Crease, a group member for 19 years, the group wanted to do something special for the 30th anniversary. New to the art show this year, there will also be art work from dozens of Grade 6 students at Lennoxville Elementary School on display in the hallway.
“We want to encourage young people to continue with art and hope they take an interest,” she said. “It’s not a contest, but rather an opportunity to have their paintings put on display at our show.”
According to one of the groups founding members, 95-year-old Leta Dustin, she hopes having the school aged children’s art in the Spring Art Show will open their eyes and give them encouragement to carry on with their art.
“We’re trying to open up to the younger generation and get them to appreciate art,” said Dustin. “We want to get them interested in art and keep going.” The paintings from the LES students are self-portraits. The goal of the portraits was to highlight their personalities.
“They look beautiful and there was a lot of creativity,” said Crease, a former teacher at the local school. “It’s a chance for the future succession to not be judged by the quality of their work. Their effort really is something we encourage.”
According to Jane Loiselle, a former president of the group and current treasurer, there will be a draw at the upcoming art show. The public will have the chance to win a watercolour piece, painted by Crease, called Sugaring Time.
“Profits will help benefit the Lennoxville Library,” she said. “We can’t wait to see everyone from the community and share the wonderful paintings from our group.”
In addition to being excited for the Spring Art Show, Crease said she’s
“We’re trying to open up to the younger generation and get them to appreciate art”
thankful to have a group of passionate artists who she considers close friends.
“This group is more than just sharing ideas and paintings, it’s also about friendships,” said Crease. “If you were in a personal crisis, you could find anybody from the group and they’d be there for you.”
Dustin echoed the statement. She said when she retired she was searching for a group to share her hobby of painting with. Little did she know she would make so many longlasting friendships.
“This is a unique and caring group,” said Dustin. “From the very beginning, 30 years ago, there’s a togetherness to this group, just like one big happy family.”
Each week, Dustin shows up to work on her painting, makes a pot of coffee for the group and enjoys her time getting to build and strengthen her friendships through her passion for art.
While being the only active member left in the group, Dustin said she hopes the group will continue long after she’s gone.
“The art group is the center of my joy and happiness. I look forward to this every week. I’m a regular attendee and I wouldn’t miss it. As long as I can still crawl to get here, I’ll be here.”