IRIS McDERMOTT, Ceramic plate.

BARBARA SACKS, Raku clay,

Barbara Sachs is a ceramic artist who has been living and working in Dundas for over a decade. She attended L’Ecole des Beaux Arts and Champlain College in Montreal and went on to receive an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University. After rediscovering clay and the Raku process Barb has been exhibiting her work across Ontario and in 1998 the Ontario Government chose one of Barbara’s polar bears to present to Nelson Mandela.

   Inspired by nature Barb transforms clay into whimsical creatures that are full of life. Using hand building techniques, Barb begins each creature from a flat sheet of clay and carefully builds and transforms it into a hollow, three dimensional form. The clay is then fired using the ancient Japanese firing technique 'raku'.
   Artist’s Statement:
“With nature as my inspiration I strive to create lively and imaginative sculptural raku animals. Using hand building techniques and clay, I bring all creatures, great and small, to life.”

TREVOR HODGSON, "Provence Remembered", oil, # 3

Born in Yorkshire, England, and studied at Lancaster College of Art & University of London. He taught at the Blackpool College of Art, England, Bellarmine College, USA, and Queen's University, Canada, prior to being Director of DVSA for 22 years.

   Trevor's work is in many public & private collections including York University, UK; Berea College, JB Speed Art Museum and State of Kentucky collection, USA; National Gallery of Canada(still photo.section), Province of Ontario collection and Queen's University, Canada.
   Trevor is referred to in a number of books including "Who's Who in American Art", "British Self Portraits of the 20th Cent.", "Canadian Artists in Exhibition" and many magazines.
   Trevor exhibits frequently at the Gallery on the Bay, Hamilton.

E. ROBERT ROSS, "Webster's Falls" acrylic, # 51

E. Robert Ross is a full time artist living in Hamilton with his wife and two children. He has had a long time love for nature. As a canoeist and mountain climber, Ross appreciates the power of nature to rejuvenate the spirit and soothe the senses. As an artist, he strives to impart this same meditative quality in his paintings.

   Ross's landscapes are panoramic. He beckons to our personal imaginings by placing us in a particular spot, at a specific time. Deliberate in his compositions, his paintings draw the eye into the centre of the piece, welcoming the viewer to enter the landscape.
   His representation of the equilibrium within nature's elements is also intentional. Sky, earth and water strike a balance, a harmonious partnership in Ross's landscapes. He uses the elements of nature as symbols to parallel the human struggle for balance of physical, intellectual and spiritual well being.
   In Ross's paintings as in life, the elements work together in an undisturbed grandeur. These elements are sometimes tranquil, sometimes turbulent, but always powerful forces in nature. Its magnificence leaves man feeling insignificant in her presence.
   As an environmentalist, Ross considers himself a generalist. As an artist, he is specific in his intent, to capture nature at it’s' best, to create vistas that give us the desire to protect the environment.
   Ross is represented in Hamilton by the McNaught Gallery. His paintings are collected both nationally and internationally and can be found in many corporate and private collections. Ross sits on the Board of Directors of the Art Gallery of Hamilton and is past president of the Carnegie Gallery.
   An avid outdoorsman, Ross’s paintings reflect his genuine love of nature with an intriguing style that is both reflective and bold.

THIS IS OUR 2010 LIVE AUCTION BLOG

This is our new blog site. We are posting pictures here of the live auction to be held at the Dundas Valley School of Art, 21 Ogilvie St., Dundas, Ontario, Canada. L9H 2S1. phone # 905-628-6357.

The auction, which includes over 1200 items, most of which are sold by silent auction, will take place Saturday, April 10th beginning at 7pm.

Attributed to the late William McElcheran.

In the mid-1950's, the sculptor William McElcheran joined a Toronto Architectural firm as a Liturgical Designer. As an artist of remarkable inventiveness, his influence bears heavily on the work of this period in both the building and furniture design. McElcheran's influence continued into the early sixties when he left the firm to devote himself full-time to sculpture.

In addition to the many churches, McElcheran's influence was quite evident in the McMaster Divinity College and Chapel (1958). His work there is generally highly regarded and may have been instrumental in bringing the firm work at Mount Allison University in the sixties.

This piece, believed to be "St. Francis of Assisi and Other Saints" was brought into a Hamilton repair shop in the late 80’s in need of a new head for the Saint.
The head was not completed until 2009 and the piece was never called for by the original customer.
It was said at the time it was left for repair, to be church work done by McElcheran. The artist’s name and the title were written on the back of the piece at that time by the repair shop.
It has been sitting in storage since the late 1980’s.

It is the mystery sculpture.

Arthur Greenblatt, Dundas Valley School of Art

AMADO PENA, ""Los Patrones", mixed media, # 38

Amado Maurilio Peña, Jr. was born in Laredo, Texas in 1943. He studied art and education at Texas A & I (now Texas A & M Kingsville), where he received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.


He was a teacher in his hometown of Laredo as well as in Crystal City and Austin, Texas. He continues to teach as part of the Studio Art League program at Alexander High School in Laredo and is also an adjunct professor in the College of Education at the University of Texas. He has been a presenter at many national education conferences.

Amado's first love is art, and he has been a successful professional artist for more than 30 years and for decades he has been considered one of the biggest names in the field of Southwest art. He is a recipient of numerous Native American Artist of the year awards. He has been featured as the Grand Marshall at various fiesta parades, handed the keys to different Texas cities, served as the national spokesman for the March of Dimes, and presented with the 50th Star on the Texas Walk of Stars.

Amado is a Mestizo of Mexican and Yaqui ancestry. His art celebrates the strength of a people who meet the harsh realities of life in an uncompromising land, and his work is a tribute to the Native Americans who survive by living in harmony with an adversarial, untamed environment.

His artwork is inspired by places such as Canyon de Chelly, Spider Rock, Monument Valley, Enchanted Mesa, Acoma, and Black Mesa. These sites are part of an enduring landscape that speaks of the ancient heritage of a region that is now known as Arizona and New Mexico.

Amado's artwork is defined by its bold color and form and dynamic composition. Through his art, he communicates his vision of a land, its people and their art.

Amado Peña is recognized as an Artisan of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona. This is a particularly high honor and one that he cherishes. He is dedicated to furthering the public's knowledge and interest in the Tribe, its art, its history, and its culture.

JANET PARKER, "Overlooking Exmoor Devon" pastel #21

Janet Parker was born and educated in England. For as long as she can remember, she has always been interested in all forms of art and at the age of ten, Janet entered her first show.

In 1969, Janet immigrated to Canada and she took up a full-time career in banking and this left little time for her artwork, but when the family moved to Dundas, her interest in painting was reborn. Now retired, Janet is a full time artist and spends time traveling and painting around the World.

“Overlooking Exmoor” was painted on a recent trip back to Janet’s childhood home.

Artist’s Statement:

“For me, it is a magical experience when shape, colour and light work together to produce a successful painting. I strive to communicate to the viewer the excitement I feel when painting the piece. It is my intention to entice the viewer into the painting and to become involved with the subject matter.”

JONATHAN BALL, "Untitled", acrylic, #32

Johnathan Ball was born in 1983, in Toronto, Canada. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in 2006. Living and working in Toronto, Johnathan has received acclaim for his illustrations, graffiti and paintings. He works primarily in oil, but also uses mixed media, aerosol, and airbrush. His artwork reflects his unique mixed heritage, as well as, his love for graffiti, pop culture and occult themes. Due to his often controversial content, some of his pieces have been banned from display.
Johnathan was born with a diverse background which enriches his work. His mother was born in Kalkuta, India and was the daughter of a wealthy Anglican print factory owner and an Iraqi Jew. His father was born in Newfoundland to Protestant parents. As a child he was introverted and found fitting in to be very difficult.

He developed a passion for visual arts at a young age. Since his youth, he has consistently painted as well as taught illustration and fine art. Johnathan drew inspiration from his rich heritage: a heritage that had contributed great influence.

WILLIAM BIDDLE, "A Visit to Newfoundland", watercolour, #24

 

 William Biddle was born and raised in Hamilton. His interest in art began at an early age and this same interest led him to an apprenticeship in the design department of a lithographic firm, followed by studies at the Art Student’s League in New York City.

 Bill ran his own illustration studio in Toronto until 1988. Today Bill works from his Dunnville studio, inspired by such artist / illustrators as Norman Rockwell, Lyndecker, Corwell, Flagg, Sargent and Homer. Now retired from the Ontario College of Art & Design, Bill teaches classes in both drawing and watercolour at his Gallery William Biddle in Dunnville, Springbank Visual Art Centre and the Dundas Valley School of Art. His watercolours are rich in detailed observations of nature, architecture or human behaviour.

 Artist’s Statement:

 “For me, a sense of Nostalgia seems to strike a cord close to home, directly for some, and imaginary for others, providing a story-telling quality that makes the viewer feel a greater part of the scenario.”

HAROLD TOWN, "The Galaxy" single autographic print", # 42

Harold Town (1924-1990) was a very important Canadian painter, draughtsman and printmaker. He was born in Toronto and studied at the Western Technical School and the Ontario College of Art. He exhibited widely, holding over 100 one-man shows beginning in 1954. His vast body of work comprises paintings, etchings, lithographs, collages, drawings and works in other media. He was a founding member of Painters Eleven, the group of artists who helped to introduce Canadians to abstract art in the 1950’s. This group of Toronto abstract expressionist painters which included Jack Bush and William Ronald took their cues from contemporary post-war American artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothe, and Willem de Kooning. Throughout his career he remained a focus of controversy for his original artwork, flamboyant public persona and outspoken opinions.

   Town gained international recognition for his technically inventive "single autographic prints" which he made from 1953 to 1959. They won awards in Ljubljana (Yugoslavia) and Santiago (Chile), were acquired by the Solomon Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (both New York City), and led Alfred Barr of the latter museum to consider Town one of the world's greatest printmakers.
   Collections: AGF Management Limited, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada Council Art Bank, Cineplex Odeon Corporation, Coopers & Lybrand, Imperial Oil of Canada, Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada, London Regional Art Gallery, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Montreal Museum of Art, New York, National Gallery of Canada, Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Sarnia Public Library and Art Museum, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery, Vancouver Art Gallery.

TOLLER CRANSTON, "The Yes or No Twig", serigraph 31/200, #37

Toller Cranston, born in Hamilton, Canada, is widely acclaimed as the most influential figure skater of this century. His birthday falls between the astrological sign of the sportsmen (Aries) and the artist (Taurus).

Toller is something of a modern-day Renaissance man. A lifetime of remarkable achievements make this artist extraordinary: Olympic medalist; Member of the Order of Canada; three-time world free-skating champion; Canadian Athlete of the Year; internationally-known painter, illustrator, author, designer, choreographer, commentator and star of award-winning television specials and films. These credits are merely the tip of the creative iceberg. As an artist, Mr. Cranston is highly respected by his peers and has exhibited in many prestigious galleries around the world.

Truly the "skater with the painter's eye," his skating and art have always been interconnected, with one passion feeding the other. His paintings - like his skating - are vibrant, bold, and dramatic. Many of his internationally recognized paintings deal with skating themes; his work appears in the World Figure Skating Museum, and the International Skating Union hosted a one-man exhibition of his work in conjunction with the 1997 World Championships.

Now in his early 50's, Cranston splits his time between his home in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico and his loft in Toronto, where he paints canvases for sale at his Toronto art gallery.

MAUREEN STEUART, "Beach Picnic", oil, #14

 

Maureen Steuart as a nurse in training in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on more than a few occasions, crept out of the nurses’ residence to attend art classes. Later in life, while still nursing; she discovered the Dundas Valley School of Art. It was at D.V.S.A. that Maureen was taught printmaking by Jean Maddison.

Several years later, after working in Print coops, she finds herself at Dundas Valley School of Art, happily teaching printmaking. She continues to explore various methods of printmaking.

Artist’s Statement:

 “It’s all about line to me, the puzzle of breaking things down to the essence of the line, the finest of details. Because of my love for the line, pen and ink line and etching are very comfortable media for me.”

WAYNE CARDINALLI, "pot with lid & pedestal", stoneware, #31

 Mississauga based potter Wayne Cardinalli’s ceramic works are invitingly tactile: each bearing the indelible mark of the artist’s hand. Wayne holds an M.F.A. in ceramics from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia and teaches at the Dundas Valley School of Art. His work is widely collected and has been exhibited in the U.S. and Canada.

Artist’s Statement:
 “Almost all of my work originates on the potters wheel. Many of the pieces are staunchly functional, but at times I depart from this to create pieces of more sculptural concern. However, there is not a clear line separating the two; rather there is always an element of each in both. Regardless of the intent of the work, the elements that remain constant are an exploration of direct gestural distortions of the freshly-thrown form, and a subtle painterly approach to the glaze surface.”

ROSS DREVENY, "The Cove", acrylic, # 27

 Ross Dreveny, a self-taught artist, was born in rural Saskatchewan but moved to Toronto when he was 10 years old. He currently resides in Cobourg. He has been painting for as long as he can remember and works in egg tempera on paper and acrylic on gesso board and canvas. Ross especially likes the spring when he can go sketching in the woodlands.

 His technique and temperament bring a quiet peacefulness to his work. His paintings can be found in private collections across Canada, the US and Europe.

Artist’s Statement:

  

“I take images from the world around me, and I enhance these with my imagination…I am just painting a dream…and being a very curious person I do not stick to any one theme...the only consistency in my work is the pursuit of excellence.”

PETER KIRKLAND, Drawing 3/10 #2, mixed media, #41

Hamilton artist Peter Kirkland trained at York University and completed his advanced studies at Dundas Valley School of Art. Since then, he has exhibited throughout the region, most recently at the Transit Gallery in Hamilton and the Burlington Art Centre.

Artists Statement:
“The initial impression I want my work to make is one of palpable, although non-representational, presence. The forms are suggestive of animal and botanical models but are not resolved into clear representations of particular species. Ultimately, the creation of meaning from the contents...is up to the individual viewer...I feel that the viewers’ participation...assists in the development of a self-reflective state.”
“I try to consider the drawing…balancing the unmarked areas of paper against the more or less heavily worked parts, looking to white areas as positive space, thinking of the act of creating marks as a sort of excavation back below the white paper surface as much as a building up of images on a white base. The practice of erasing and overlaying marks as the work progresses allows for the construction of a kind of internal narrative. The revisions indicate the element of choice; of acceptance or rejection of a given direction for the drawing to take, remaining before the viewer’s eye. This is an important consideration for me, because I've always felt it to be essential that the artist's physical presence remain in the work and communicate itself to the viewer.”

PAUL FOURNIER, "Puff Ball Trio", ink wash, #13

Paul Fournier was born in Simcoe, Ontario in 1939, and spent his early years in Hamilton. He is largely self-taught, but studied at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, and with George Wallace as a guest artist for etching at McMaster university. Fournier has travelled through Canada, England, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Florida and other regions in the Southern United States.




Paul resides and has his studio in Toronto. His work was brought to international attention through the important exhibition - 14 CANADIANS: A CRITIC'S CHOICE - which was selected by critic Andrew Hudson for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (The Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, D.C. and the group exhibition - THE NEW GENERATION: A CURATOR'S CHOICE - organised by Kenworth Moffett of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for the Andre Emmerich Gallery in New York. His paintings and graphics have been exhibited throughout Canada, the United States and Europe and are included in most major public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Tate Museum, as well as in private collections in the United States, South America and Europe.



Paul distinguished himself by producing naturalistic pen and ink drawings and etchings of subjects like insects, tree limbs, mushrooms, animals and birds. His subject-matters also include dramatic depictions of myths and legends, as well as non-representational works.

LORRAINE ROY, "Bittersweet Seed", textile, #8

 

For just over 20 years, Lorraine Roy has been working with textiles in non-tradtional ways. By using a unique mixture of techniques like sewing, collage, embroidery and quilting, she integrates thousands of bits of fabric and threads with fine transparent tulle and machine stitching. The results combine her passion for science and spirituality while exploring the earthy origins and surprising versatility of fabrics and threads.

Lorraine’s formal education in Horticulture and subsequent research have become a steady source of material for her tree and plant images. From the start she combined representational motifs mixed with symbols from dreams, memories, and mythology. Lately she has been experimenting with abstracted images, a form that she finds more and more fascinating with each new breakthrough.

 Lorraine now lives in Greensville, with her husband, photographer Janusz Wrobel. Visit her website at http://www.lroytextileart.com/ .

KIMIKO KOYANAGI, "Kokoro", #50

For the last forty years Kimiko Koyanagi has lived in Burlington, but was born and married in Japan - a third generation member of the Muraoka doll-making family of Tokyo. Following the family tradition since childhood, for more than fifty years now, she has both mastered the intricate techniques of fashioning doll-like sculptures from Paulownia wood shavings and at the same time evolved a style of artistic expression which is unique to herself and profoundly moving to the sensitive observer.




Kimiko’s works have been widely exhibited in Canada, Japan, the United States and Mexico, both in group and individual exhibitions during the last fifty years. She is probably the only person outside of Japan who uses this Chinese White (chalk) technique in creating her works and she has begun to teach a fourth generation in her chosen homeland of Canada.



Kimiko has been sculpting these tall, slender, female figures since childhood. Each doll takes several months to create, involving traditional Japanese practices. Combining paste, rice paper and finely ground wood shavings, the artist makes a base from which the figure is carved and sanded. The pigment, made from powdered seashell is applied next. The final painting is a mixture of seashell powder and watercolour.



The first impression is that Kimiko’s sculptures represent simplicity and beauty. However, beneath the angelic beauty and serenity of the dolls, Kimiko expresses her deepest emotions and philosophies. The sculptures are a unique modernization of an ancient Japanese tradition, which Kimiko uses as a vessel to express her innermost thoughts and spiritual feelings.

COLLEEN O'REILLY, "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue", porcelain, # 6

 

Colleen O’Reilly has been a ceramic artist for over 30 years. In 1990 she established “Spirited Clay” specializing in colourful porcelain tableware and tile. Over the past several years, as a reflection of her own creative and spiritual quest, Colleen has been creating unique totems and sculptural pieces that now grace the homes and businesses of many collectors. In December 2009 the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada purchased five of her life size totems to use for permanent display at Canadian Diplomatic Missions abroad. This continues the Canadian Government’s support of Colleen’s work as it has in the past with purchases from Brian Mulroney as official gifts to former British Prime Minister John Major and former Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

Artist Statement

 “Rhythm, colour and gesture are elements I use when building my porcelain tableware, tiles and sculptural work; through such techniques, my goal is to create a moment where the viewer can transcend life’s struggles and celebrate the joys and pleasures of life.”

BRUNO CAPOLONGO, "Ruby Red", oil, #39

Bruno Capolongo is an established Canadian artist of Neapolitan descent. His work is collected by private and corporate collectors alike, and has been in well over 120 exhibitions, including over 20 solo shows. Exhibiting primarily in Canada and the United States, he has also shown in Japan, and has been represented by a number of fine art establishments, including galleries in Toronto, New York City, Montreal, and Washington DC.


Capolongo is the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including the internationally coveted Elizabeth Greenshields grant – three times (one of only three dozen triple recipients since 1955), and consecutive first place awards for the national Canadian exhibition and competition “Evidence of Things Unseen”. Due to his diverse interests and constant need for a challenge the artist’s work is constantly evolving.

Artist’s Statement:

“There are a number of principles by which I live and work as an artist with conviction. I believe in the supremacy of beauty, for me the aesthetic power of an artwork is more important than any underlying conceptual or theoretical component. This is because beauty is not merely a vehicle for meaning, but is itself meaningful, good and just. While conceptual underpinnings may abound in some of my work I maintain that the integrity or strength of the image itself is of greater importance.

In my own work I believe that all subjects-whether landscape, still-life, figurative or architectural-must be treated equally. A truly great landscape painting, then, is no less important than a Royal portrait-because of how it is made. There is really no hierarchy of subject-matter. This is why I say it is not what you paint, it is how you paint it. Finally, it has long been my belief that the most intelligent and successful artists draw from two sources of influence, the well of history, and the fountain of modernity. The artist who ignores either may languish or stumble. This is why I study the Old Masters carefully and respectfully, while ever aware of the dangers of merely imitating the artistic ideals of a bygone era.”

BONNIE STEINBERG, "Nice Changing Light", watercolour, #4

Bonnie Steinberg is a popular and highly respected artist and art instructor, conducting workshops and classes in Ontario and the United States. Bonnie is a graduate of York University, and is a faculty member at the Dundas Valley School of Art. She is an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, (C.S.P.W.C.), the Society of Canadian Artists, (S.C.A.), and a signature member of the Toronto Watercolour Society, (T.W.S.).




Bonnie has exhibited extensively in both solo and group shows. Throughout the history of her career, she has acquired wide success, having her works displayed in galleries and art exhibits throughout Canada and the United States. She is the recipient of many awards, and her work can be found in many collections. The front cover of the 75th anniversary brochure of the C.S.P.W.C. illustrates Bonnie’s accepted painting in the Permanent Diploma Collection.



Bonnie’s watercolours encompass a variety of subject matter, with architectural detail, being her latest achievement. Ordinary “slices of life” are other choices. Her use of high-key colour and dramatic light make Bonnie’s paintings instantly recognizable.



Artist’s Statement



"My visions encompass my views of the world and will aim to give the viewer a glimpse into the world. If this relationship occurs, the painting has been successful."

BENJAMIN THOMAS, "Prayer to the 4 Directions", bronze a/p, # 43

Benjamin Thomas is a talented sculptor of the Wolf Clan - Mohawk Nation ~ O yehn da de ka. His work honours the traditions of the Haudenosaunee, the People of the Longhouse. His sculptures are about ideas and his messages are political and cultural. Thomas creates images that are compelling, very beautiful, and thought -provoking. He has lived his life in the traditions of his people and he has always been most conscious of the dilemna of native people living in two worlds. Ben has said that his ability to "make things", sometimes called"art", has provided an arena for expressing a unique way of looking at the world. Many people are unaware of issues affecting our world. It is important that there is understanding between those two worlds. Benjamin Thomas has a very special gift. His sculpture is a gift, a spiritual communication of spirit. Ben's work is exhibited in museums, galleries and private collections in Canada, in the USA and in Europe.




Prayer to the Four Directions:

Creator, It is I. Thank you for today’s sunrise, for the breath and life within me, and for all of your creations. Creator, Hear my prayer, and honour my prayer. As the day begins with the rising sun, I ask, Spirit keeper of the East, Brother Eagle, Be with me. Fly high as you carry my prayers to the Creator. May I have eyes as sharp as yours, so I am able to see truth and hope on the path I have chosen. Guide my step and give me courage to walk the circle of my life with honesty and dignity. Spirit keeper of the South, Wolf, Be with me. Help me to remember to love and feel compassion for all mankind. Help me to walk my path with joy and love for myself, for others, for the four legged, the winged ones, the plants and all creation upon Mother Earth. Show me it is right for me to make decisions with my heart, even if at times, my heart becomes hurt. Help me to grow and nurture myself worth in all ways. Spirit Keeper of the West, Brown Bear, Be with me. Bring healing to the people I love and to myself. Bring into balance the physical, mental and spiritual, so I am able to know my place on this earth, in life and in death. Heal my body, heal my mind and bring light, joy and awareness to my spirit. Spirit Keeper of the North, White Buffalo, Be with me. As each day passes, help me to surrender, with grace, the things of my youth. Help me to listen to the quiet, and find serenity and comfort in the silences as they become longer. Give me wisdom so I am able to make wise choices in all things which are put in front of me, And when time for my change of worlds has come, Let me go peacefully, without regrets, for the things I neglected to do as I walked along my path. Mother Earth, Thank you for your beauty, And for all you have given me. Remind me never to take from you more then I need, and remind me to always give back more than I take.

SANDOR MONOS, "Town & Country" bronze V/X, # 12

Sandor Monos was born in Hungary in 1954. During his school years he began to draw and paint under the guidance of local artists and teachers. He always belonged to an Art Club where he enjoyed experimenting with oil, watercolor and charcoal drawing.




In the fall of 1977 he emigrated to Canada where he continued drawing and painting. Sandor took night courses in Hamilton and in Dundas. In the beginning of 1984 he became interested in cartoon drawing. For a few years the local newspaper published his work in the Editorials. In 1993 a local sculptor, introduced him to bronze casting and Sandor served as his apprentice for ten years.



Sandor has been working with the lost-wax method and experimenting new ways to cast bronze economically to achieve the desired surface on the casted piece.



Artist’s Statement:



“I’ve been drawing, carving, painting all my life, perhaps longer. I just don’t remember.

Growing up I had guidance on how to put ideas into form from teachers, friends and the company I kept and valued. What to do seems to come easy to me – so many things around us, things that belong to now. The execution is a long struggle to satisfy myself.



To show what is there is a great skill…But the goal is to go beyond that. The hard part is to cross the line, when you will show more than the reality, and do it with a simple form that you don’t have to explain. The figure is just to manifest the thought. It has no face, because it is an idea…If you do cross the line, it doesn’t mean that you’re on the other side.



I love shaping the piece to the idea … defend it on completion … hear what others see in it. A smile is a great reward! Casting all that work in bronze is a skill. One mistake and I am back with the idea. It tests me all the time.”

SCOTT BARNIM, "Nine Fish Jar" (money jar), stoneware, #19

Dundas potter Scott Barnim is known for his extensively decorated stoneware, often featuring a signature fish motif. Scott has a Masters Degree in Ceramic from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff and has taught numerous courses and workshops at Sheridan College, Mohawk College and DVSA. Scott has exhibited with Fusion, the Ontario Crafts Council and the George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.

ANITA ISSALUK, "Dancing Bear", steatite, # 33

Anita was born and raised near Chesterfield Inlet which is on the west coast of Hudson Bay. She began carving in 1996 after watching her father carve when she was a child. She also has learned from, and worked with, other well-known Inuit artists such as George Arlook, Alex Alikashuak and Lucy Tasseo. In addition to being a sculptor, she is multi-talented as she is also a singer/musician and painter. Her work has been exhibited across North America and abroad and has been recognized in the Inuit Art Quarterly. Today she is an internationally known Inuk stone carver.

Some of her favorite subjects include dancing bears, Sednas, mothers and children, owls, masks, and sea spirits. Before Anita begins a carving, she sees the image in the raw stone and, by working the stone, she releases the image from it. Anita’s carvings are wonderfully exuberant and beautifully balanced with minimal detail, flowing lines and gentle curves. She currently resides in Winnipeg, MB.

Artist Statement
“I found I could form any figure in the stone, provided the right tools, supplies and a good place to work ...I believe I am helping the Inuit culture through my work...ten years ago I had no idea how important this was to Inuit culture and it was a real honor to be doing it and to be able to talk about it...I have a clear picture beforehand and then I have to find the stone...the work practically becomes a part of me..I just enjoy doing this carving…I carve to emphasize my identity as an Inuit carver, and “the Inuit” of who are and where we’re coming from. I make polar bears because there are none in the universe except in the Arctic...once I start carving I let myself go...I get carried away...but make my bears as carefree and as happy-go lucky as I can. That’s just the way I want my spirit to be.”

JOHN DOHERTY, "Falcon Song", ink/watercolour, #40

LOIS SHAW, Three of a Kind, pastel, # 2