Lolag_09-10

Jeff Green | Mar 12, 2009

LOLAG members and guests with Sara Washbush of the Ontario Crafts Council

Members of the Land O’Lakes Artisans’ Guild (LOLAG) have begun to hold regular meetings on the last Tuesday of every month at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake, and they are inviting members of the public and professional speakers to join them.

Present at the last meeting on February 24 was guest speaker Sara Washbush, the Eastern Regional Coordinator of the Ontario Crafts Council (OCC), who spoke about the membership packages the OCC offers to individuals and groups.

She also outlined various shows and events that are happening in Ontario and which are open to OCC members and non-members alike.

The idea to hold regular casual monthly meetings came from LOLAG members Ken Waller and Lisa Moses, who thought it would be a nice way for the group’s members and members of the general public to get together and enjoy an art/craft focused evening. It’s also a great way to promote the guild and attract other members.

For the meetings, makers in all mediums are invited to bring along an object of interest, perhaps a work in progress or a piece that inspires them for a casual show and tell session.

At every meeting the group also decides on a monthly challenge or theme on which to work for the following month. For February the theme was hearts. Jewelers, painters, potters, wood turners and sculptors all rose to the challenge and presented their heart-themed creations. The challenge offers makers a chance to work in ways and with themes that they otherwise might not, opening up a plethora of new ideas and possibilities for future projects.

The evening also encourages discussion on related subjects and current topics of interest. Jochen Mueller brought in 2 copies of the book “Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and rewards) of Artmaking“, by David Bayles and Ted Orland, a book that made an impression on him and that he wanted to share.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday March 31 and the challenge is "water". Lisa Moses will be leading a discussion about how to motivate oneself to make new work. Come along, bring a friend and treat yourself to an evening of art, ideas and conversation. Refreshments are served. For more information contact Lisa Moses at 613-335-2001.