December is here and the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is upon us. This month there are a number of group art shows around the area, featuring a variety of works with the Christmas shopper in mind.
Accordingly, we also see art and craft shows springing up — a great way to support the local economy as you buy gifts for your friends and family!
The theme this month is community and the coming together of artists and artisans, bringing a diverse selection of artwork and wide selection of goods to the public for the Christmas season.
Artspace hosts The Artspace Holiday Toast with a dance party kick-off
Artspace, Peterborough’s Artist Run Centre, will be hosting The Artspace Holiday Toast, a show and sale of small works by your favourite artists.
Running from December 3rd until December 17th, this show will be kicked off by a dance party on Saturday, December 3rd featuring DJs Billy the K and Johnny Q, Peterborough’s fave 45 spinners. If you can make it out, it promises to be a great time!
Artspace is located at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough and offers free admission during regular open hours: Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is available in the municipal lot on Hunter Street between Aylmer and George. For more information, call 705-748-3883 or visit artspace-arc.org.
Christensen Fine Art presents 2016 Christmas Group Show
Christensen Fine Art is pleased to present a Christmas Group Show featuring a collection of work by gallery artists.
An opening reception will be held on Friday, December 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m , with many of the artists in attendance. The show will continue until the end of the month and will be an exhibition in progress as pieces find new homes for Christmas.
Christensen Fine Art is located at 432 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 10a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
For further information, please contact Peer Christensen at 705-876-9623.
The Leitmotif Collective presents “Winter”
The Leitmotif Collective, active since 2015, is made up of a group of five artists from the Peterborough area. The respective members are: Roz Hermant, photographer and mixed-media artist (find her online at www.rozhermant.com), Lisa Martini-Dunk illustrator, printmaker, painter, and scratchboard artist (www.limmaginaria.com), Rob Neizen, painter and printmaker (www.robneizen.com), Victoria Wallace, painter and mixed media artist (www.victoria-wallace.com), and Meg Ward, painter and mixed media artist (www.megward.ca).
Sample their work online by following the links above, or visit Hexagon Studios to see what their current show “Winter” has to offer. This show is a reflection on the winter season that draws on impressions memories and feelings both subjective and objective, that represent winter and things associated with it.
The show will be on display until December 31st.
Hexagon Studios is located at 1179 Chemong Road in Peterborough. Showings are available by appointment. To arrange a visit to Hexagon Studios, please call Meg at 705-733-8726 or e-mail her at meg@hexagonstudios.ca. You can also visit Hexagon Studios online at www.hexagonstudios.ca.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio presents member’s show “Warm in the Cold”
Artist’s cooperative the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio (KAGS) presents “Warm in the Cold,” a member’s show and sale featuring work depicting warm and cool subject matter, in the spirit of the winter season.
The show will be on display from November 30th until December 18th. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, December 4th from 1 to 4 p.m. with refreshments provided. In case you can’t make it in December, the show will re-open on January 4th and run until the 15th.
KAGS is a not-for-profit artist’s co-operative, exhibiting original art by local artists since 1990, located at 420 O’Connell Road in Peterborough.
Gallery hours are from Wednesday to Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is free. For more information, visit www.kawarthaartists.org or call 705-741-2817.
Acme Art and Sailboat Company hosts “Xmastime Show and Sale”
The Acme art and Sailboat Company will be hosting a group show featuring a wide selection of local artists working in different styles and mediums. The work of artists Paul Oldham, Gillian Turnham, Joe Stable, John B. Boyle, Michael Morritt, Alex Bierk, and Tim Merrett will be on display.
Opening night will be Friday, December 9th from 6 until 10 p.m., with many artists in attendance. Other studios and galleries in the building will also be open to the public on opening night.
The gallery will be open on Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, December 11th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Sunday the 11th, at 2 p.m., musician Joe Hall will be playing in the Gallery. This would be a great time to stop by if you find yourself looking for some excitement on Sunday Afternoon.
Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located at 129-1/2 Hunter Street in downtown Peterborough.
Ashburnham Ale House Hosts Group Show
The group show craze continues in a local restaurant! This December if you happen to be dining at the Ashburnham Ale House, you will be able to take in a selection of work by a number of artists. Paul Nabuurs, Gail Smith, Victoria Wallace and Julie Gagne are some of the artists who will be showing at the Ale House this December.
The show begins on Sunday, December 5th and continues for the rest of the month.
Ashburnham Ale House is located at 128 Hunter Street East in Peterborough. Hours of operation are from Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11. P.m. Contact them at 705-874-0333.
Tonic Hair Studio Features Artist Joanne Calderone
If you have yet to see the work of painter Joanne Calderone, then you should get a haircut; consider it an early Christmas present to yourself.
Her precise paintings range from stills from Wes Anderson films to artful depictions of dancers and bodies in motion, such as the painting pictured above, and will be on display for the month of December.
Tonic is located at 466 George St. North in downtown Peterborough. Their hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact them at 705-748-4608 or visit their website at www.tonichairstudio.ca.
The Monocle Centre for the Arts hosts craft sale
On Sunday December 4th, The Monocle will be hosting a craft sale from 12 noon until 5 p.m.. Drop by and get a head start on your Christmas shopping and support local artisans at the same time!
The Monocle is located at 140 Simcoe St. Upper in Peterborough. For more information, call 705-748-6167.
Sprigg hosts Finer Things Show and Sale at Seeds of Change
On Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Finer Things Show and Sale will be held in the beautiful auditorium at Seeds of Change (543 George St., Peterborough). Entry fee is $2 and children under 12 get in free.
Showcasing the talents of 19 artisans from the area, this show offers a variety of items from jewellry, fine art, hooked rugs and textiles to colouring books, gift cards, Christmas ornaments and much more. There will also be serving coffee, tea and treats from the Hard Winter Bread Company available for purchase.
The first 50 households through the door will receive free tote bags designed by Sarah Crane.
This show is organised by Sprigg, formed in 2015 by Annie Schertz of Studio Luma and Sarah Crane of Frolic art and Design. These two creative entrepreneurs aim to connect creative individuals and build a support network, and do so in endeavours such as the Finer Things Show and Sale. Passionate about creativity and fine craft, Sprigg looks forward to hosting future workshops and artisan shows.
Annual Focus Fair Show and Sale held at The Spill Cafe
This cozy art and craft show has been an annual event in downtown Peterborough for the last 11 years! Organised by a dedicated group of local creatives, it is worth checking out.
Drop by and sample the wares of local area artists and craftspeople while you sip on a coffee or beer, or enjoy a tasty snack in the festive and friendly atmosphere of The Spill.
Featuring a wide selection from tasty treats to seeds, leather accessories, ceramics, fine art, gift cards toys and textiles you just might be able to make a serious dent in your Christmas list!
The 2016 Focus Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 10th and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 11th.
The Spill Cafe is located at 414 George St North in downtown Peterborough. For more information, call 705-748-6167.
