Caleb Nickerson
SHAWVILLE July 21, 2017
This past week, artists from all over flocked to the area for the seventh Pontiac Artists’ Residency project.
Organizer Valerie Bridgeman said that they varied from about 12 to 20 participants each day, seven of whom were visitors hosted by Art Pontiac members.
“I publicize the Artists’ Residency and we get applications from artists from all over the place,” she said. “At the same time I have Art Pontiac members that are able to host these artists. Once I know how many beds we have, that’s how many applicants I can take.”
Each day there was a wide variety of topics covered and mediums used. One day they painted on a beach by the Ottawa River and another they got a demonstration in chainsaw carving.
Bridgeman said that the group shared many meals and had many great discussions over the course of the week.
“They learn from us and we learn from them,” she said.
The week ended with a vernissage at Art Brûlant and Impressions in Shawville on Friday.
Montreal artist Serge Themens said that friends had told him about the residency and encouraged him to try it. The watercolour painter said that trying out new mediums and learning from different artists was his favorite part of the week.
“This is the first time I’ve painted with acrylics,” he said.
