October is a month for climate/environment advocacy
Here in Kawartha Lakes, we celebrate the variety of artistic expression and exceptional talents of our local artistic community in the broader Kawartha Region. Their distinct view and focus on nature and the environment displays their commitment to conservation and respect for the earth’s natural bounty. May these exposes entice you to explore their art further by learning more about the artists, visiting their studios, browsing in local galleries, or attending art shows.
Stan Wojtaszek
As a photographer, the environment is what I photograph. It includes not only the scene but also the weather and lighting conditions. It is up to me to interpret what I see and how I choose to represent it. My choices are numerous, beginning with the composition through to the processing and the final display. The result is personal. The hope is always that the viewer will feel the same way.
Brian Cady - Granite Creations
In the stone counter top industry, there is considerable breakage and waste due to the fragile nature of the material. Here at Granite Creations we re-purpose and reclaim this natural and organic quarry based material and create one of a kind stone products that are not only artistic and elegant, but also very functional. We encourage everyone to recycle, repurpose, and find uses for material that would normally be discarded. Our future depends on it!
Contact: granitegiftcreations.com
Michael Dumas
‘Canadian Endangered Species’ was the first body of work in which I focused entirely on a conservation topic. The collection of 30 drawings and paintings was supported by a Canada Explorations grant and debuted in 1980 at the McMichael Canadian Collection. In addition to numerous single-component projects, several other major efforts devoted to this cause developed over the years, including ‘Save the World’s Birds’ and ‘Albatross 1000’, both sponsored by Japan’s Suntory Corporation. Most recently I contributed seven original paintings, 2018 – 2021, to the Artist’s for Conservation composite mural depicting all 678 endangered bird species worldwide.
Contact: natures.studio.inc@sympatico.ca
Marcus Leydolt
Studio: Wandering Spirit Studio
"For as long as I can remember, I have lived alongside untamed nature. Witnessing the lives of animals in their habitats helped to generate an affinity for them. There’s practically nothing about them I find boring. Their appearances, characters, abilities and much more endlessly fascinate me. It is as if each living thing is a tile with its own distinct look and place. Alone it is a curious thing, like a uniquely shaped puzzle piece, but when juxtaposed to others the relationships and interactions between each other help to build a grand and awe-inspiring mosaic; one that the human mind may never fully grasp.
Contact: markusleydolt@gmail.com
Check out this resource on artists with a focus on conservation: https://www.theartistsbooks.com/kawartha-1
KLAC member, Kawartha Art Gallery, has an exhibit running in October with a focus on the environment: https://www.kawarthagallery.com/exhibits/2121-reflections-from-the-watersheds-of-time-an-open-online-juried-art-exhibition
Contemporary art exhibitions around the world to address critical social and environmental issues: https://www.artworksforchange.org/
