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Over 60 artists displaying work in second annual Kootenay Lake Art Connection

The Kootenay Lake Art Connection runs through Sept. 2, with 28 venues and over 60 artists involved this year...
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Janet Wallace owns Barfoot Handweaving

The Kootenay Lake Art Connection runs through Sept. 2, with 28 venues and over 60 artists involved this year. Some are not members but are in galleries of members, and some are in clubs, like the Riondel Art Club, which has over 35 member artists and artisans.

The tour brochure is available at the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce and every member’s venue and gallery. Two $200 gift vouchers will be drawn for, and visitors must obtain the initials of 12 venues or galleries to be eligible for the draw. The $200 may be used toward any art or artisan work by a member of the Kootenay Lake Art Connection.

This year’s venues are:

1. Wynndel Foods Ltd., which has provided groceries and fishing supplies for many a camper, tourist and community member, and is showing Harry Miller’s rustic wood carvings, as well as Geri Gomola’s raku fish sculptures.

2. Mellowood Studio and Art Gallery, where Val van der Poel will be showing her superb watercolors, as well as other mixed mediums.

3. Stone Cold Ice Cream, with your choice of 30 flavors of ice cream, picnic benches and Dan Komar’s masterful stone carvings is a stop worth making.

4. Wynnwood Cellars Estate Winery, overlooking Kootenay Lake. The June 26 juried paintings will be exhibited in the tasting room in July and August.

5. Destiny Bay Store, which has a small restaurant with homemade cabbage rolls and lasagna. William Zyha, a retired cabinetmaker of 44 years, has some of his turned bowls and utensils on-site.

6. Arrowsmith Gallery, where you can peruse the delightful watercolour art of Karen Arrowsmith and 12 other artists.

7. Geri Gomola’s Emerald Eastcliff Art Gallery, where original artworks include paintings, sculptures and jewelry. There are a number of new creations this year.

8. Sacred Journey, with the inspiring artwork of Zora Dorval and Danielle Tonossi. Khyati Holman has her own designs and imports from exotic lands.

9. The Lakeview Store, where Melody Arnold is exhibiting some of her lovely smaller pieces. Outdoors, south of the store, a Crawford Bay student mural is painted by 15-year-old Julia Middlebrooke.

10. The historic Gray Creek Store has Val van der Poel’s smaller watercolours by the coffee bar. Enjoy a latte and peruse her artistic creations.

11. Wedgwood Manor bed and breakfast, where visitors can experience walking into the past with all the antiques and ambiance. Sharon de Witt is showing her love of nature in acrylic and Laura Leeder is showing her love of florals in watercolour.

12. Flickering Goddess and A’freaking Beads (formerly A'freakan Beads). This kid-friendly establishment is a perfect stop with Lorrie Rhead’s soaps and candles, and Laura Kernohan’s bountiful beads. Stop and create a bracelet.

13. Kokanee Chalets, where you will find a hotel and RV park, as well as a Laundromat. In the lobby, check out Kent Jantzie’s original one-of-a-kind prints, which are called monoprints, but definitely not printed in a print shop.

14. The Nelson and District Credit Union, where walls are graced with the wonderful paintings of Shirley Wyndgaard, who has a gallery named after her in Lethbridge and years of experience as an art educator.

15. Mervin Robertson’s art gallery, where you will find his wife, Donna, arranging all the art. Robertson will be in his shop with his chainsaw, carving a bear or one of his other creations. This gallery houses many local artists’ work.

16. The new Sacred Journey, with equally wonderful exotic designs and creations, as in the Gray Creek and Nelson locations. Nadine Boyd’s photography and Janaki Pogrba’s encaustic paintings are featured.

17. The Black Salt Café, where Gary Sky’s large paintings are extremely interesting this year. Colour is the main theme of these minimalistic abstracts. A few other great art pieces from various artists are on these walls.

18. Dog Patch Pottery, where, besides Lea Belcourt, other potters are contributing. Wonderful glaze colors adorn these clay works, including a lot of unique pieces and great coffee mugs.

19. The Kootenay Forge, where there are three studios to visit. Lorna Robin and Helene Carter work in enameling upstairs, the forge is operated by Gina and Corey Medhurst, and there is delicate hand-blown work in the third gallery.

20. The Junction Creek Hub, a great place to relax and meet friends, as well as peruse the artwork of Garth Low, who has a master’s degree in fine art.

21. Barefoot Handweaving studio and gallery, where the woven shawls and artisan creations are a kaleidoscope of colors. Ted Wallace, an art educator for years, hangs his painting here. These intricate paintings depict his view of the world.

22. Celts and Vikings, where Brahva Cwmevos is a leather and toolsmith artisan. There are replicas of ancient Celts and Viking décor and art, as well as walking sticks, wizards, jewelry and more.

23. North Woven Broom Co., where you can watch designer and specialty brooms being made. Harry Potter’s broom was designed here for the series’ Canadian book publisher.

24. Kokanee Springs Golf Resort is located a few kilometers off Highway 3A, but well worth the jaunt. It has a restaurant and hotel, as well as a world-class golf course. At the pro shop this year, Mervin Robertson’s carved bear will welcome you.

25. Pilot Bay Resort, where you can charter a boat or camp out. There is also a small marina. You will find award-wining artist Dena Kubota’s high realism drawing in this location.

26. Over 1,000 people a year find their way through the Yasodahara Ashram, which offers yoga and other meditative courses year-round. Gary Sly’s painterly work is found here in the serenity of the location, as is the intuitive work of Leah Wilson.

27. Bob’s Bar and Grill in Riondel and remains a perfect spot for refreshments, as well as wholesome food. The pub houses the works of the Riondel Art Club with about 15 members that show their work year-round.

28. The Circle of Friends Artisan Shoppe is a new enterprise, housing and selling the work of local artisans and artists. There are stained and fused glass work, as well as paintings and jewelry. Musicians will also be entertaining during the summer.

The Kootenay Lake Art Connection is made possible through the sponsorship of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Columbia Basin Trust, Nelson and District Credit Union (East Shore branch), the Community of Creston Arts Council and the Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call Geri Gomola at 250-227-9085, Val van der Poel at 250-866- 5772, Karen Arrowsmith at 250 223-8177 or Nancy Galloway at 250-227-9233.

—KOOTENAY LAKE ART CONNECTION