New Photographic Exhibition Explores Changing Landscapes + Time Collisions in Waterloo

This special photographic exhibit surveys the subject of changing landscapes in contemporary Waterloo Region over the past half decade. Mark Walton’s photographs capture the rapid pace of change and the resulting shifts as the past collides into the present making fast what becomes our new everyday.

You’ll have a chance to examine familiar and iconic landscapes already changed, lost, or in transition. Among them: The fields at Ira Needles road; Mr. Sushi’s neon window sign; the narrow wooden and burlap bridge spanning Crook’s Tract and two male transients sitting on a sidewalk in downtown Kitchener.

Shift: Time Collisions + Disappearing Landscapes showcases more than 30 colour landscapes and portraits which probe, provoke and investigate decay and reconstruction, the end of the road and the reimaging and reinterpreting of how we live in Waterloo Region.

“Things ultimately disappear to become something else,” Walton says. “It’s this disappearance that intrigues me.”

Born in Hamilton, raised in Winnipeg, Mark Walton moved to Waterloo in 2005. His multi-media performance work has appeared at IMPACT’09, CAFKA and at the University of Waterloo. He is the videographer for Dissocia, which will appear at the University of Waterloo February, 2011 and the Open Ears Festival in Kitchener, April 2011. Walton is a member of Art Allies and a Box 10 artist. His work was featured at the Box 10 group show in Kitchener in November 2010. Shift: Time Collisions + Disappearing Landscapes is his first solo show.

Shift: Time Collisions + Disappearing Landscapes is made possible with the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council, the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund, The Essential Image and the Button Factory.

Landscapes: Abstracted and Minimalized

Article on Sue Ellen Eatrides’ exhibit.

theCord.ca - The tie that binds Wilfrid Laurier University

Wondrous physicality

"Local artist celebrates human anatomy with new class at the Button Factory"

Interview with Anatomy for Life Drawing teacher David Antscherl by Marshall Ward.

Waterloo Chronicle January 5th, 2011

What IF....?

IllustrationFriday.com is a website that presents a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

Topics are picked each week from a list of suggestions that have been submitted by participants.

To submit artwork it is important for an artist to have a website, most artists are using free services such as Blogger or DeviantART. Out of all the submissions one image is chosen randomly each week as the "Pick of the Week". Another valuable resource is the artists' forum, here you can read interviews and share ideas with others.

You can view this weeks entries with the link viewer.

Another stellar Juried Show at the Button Factory!

On Friday October 8, 5-7pm, we celebrated another stellar Juried Show at the Button Factory! The caliber of artwork increases every year. With over 85 entries to choose from, it wasn’t easy for jurors Cathy Farwell, Heather Franklin and Judy Major-Girardin to make their selections. The jurors have curated a fine show of 35 works that explores the concepts of “interiors” and “exteriors” including mediums like acrylics, oils and charcoal. Join us this Friday to celebrate this beautiful exhibition, and the winners selected by our talented jurors.

First place goes to Valerie Groom, for her piece “Self #4”. Valerie, a fourth-year student at the University of Waterloo, has a gift for figurative painting in oils. Second place goes to Roger Schmidt, for his piece “Stratford Park Reader”. Roger is a local performer and musician who only recently discovered his talent and passion for drawing. Third place goes to Kathleen Poste, for her painting “Roots”. Kathleen is a self-taught artist and colourist preferring to explore the soul in nature. Honourable mentions go to Helena Pravda for “The Gardener”, Linda Kellar for “In the Evening”, and Don Routly for “Random Passage, Nfld.”.

WCAC was fortunate to have three jurors this year - Cathy Farwell, Judy Major-Girardin, and Heather Franklin - all women with exceptional talents and years of experience working in our arts community. I was thrilled when all three women agreed to jury our show. I have a deep respect for their knowledge, their volunteerism and work in our community over the years. It was delightful to see them work together and select a show from so many wonderful submissions.

It was a pleasure to plan and execute this year's Juried Show. This is my last special event as out-going Executive Director. I'll be taking a year's maternity leave, and in my place Heather Franklin will do a wonderful job! Thank you for a great two years, and now on to my next big adventure :)

Button Factory Summer Camp Claymation

Claymation movies created by students in the "Raiders of the Lost Art" Summer Camp.

Arts Squared 2010

Some images from Arts Squared that took place on July 17 and August 21 of this year. Including the coffee cup mosaic "Mask of Tutankhamun" by artist Sophie Drouin.

Thanks to the City of Waterloo and all volunteers and vendors that made the events possible.