After about a two-year hibernation, Pontiac artists’ association artPontiac hosted a grand reopening of the Stone School Gallery in Portage du Fort on Saturday to celebrate its launch of a new round of programming designed to support local creatives.
The event featured a watercolour workshop taught by artPontiac Treasurer, Pat Forrest, the open gift shop and gallery, and a preview of some of the items that will be available through the school’s online auction that will begin on Aug. 28.
Outside, chili and treats were served up by President Keri-Anne Chyzewsky, while Pierre Desmarais played a mix of folk and classic rock on guitar.
Throughout the afternoon, people of the public were welcomed in to browse, mingle, and learn a little more about what artPontiac has to offer.
All this is just a taste of what the non-profit is planning to offer over the next year. Moving forward, the gallery and gift shop will be open every week on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The group will also be continuing its ongoing efforts to host monthly workshops that offer instruction in a number of different media and styles, as well as courses for youth as a part of a curriculum school.
“It’s been really really busy, but exciting,” said Chyzewsky, who replaced former president Stephanie Pete in July.
Joining Chyzewsky in running the organization are Pat Forrest as treasurer, and Rhonda Morrison as secretary.
“[artPontiac] has provided incredible opportunities for people to learn in the past, and I believe we can definitely carry on that tradition, and add to it,” Chyzewsky said.
Treasurer Rhonda Morrison, who has been involved with artPontiac since it began back in 2004, said right now they are trying to build the volunteer base back up.
Members will be asked to share the responsibility of working the giftshop, one of the benefits being a member offers.
The gift shop and gallery are a joint space, with different art, creations, and textiles on display and for sale.
She noted the relaunch comes with several fundraising initiatives to support programming and operations, including an online auction beginning Aug. 28 that features the sale of an estate that was donated by a family friend of her’s, a calendar fundraiser which will be available through the gift shop, and a GoFundMe campaign.
Funds from the auction will cover overhead costs, including rent for the MRC Pontiac-owned Stone School building. Proceeds from the GoFundMe and calendar fundraisers will go directly to youth programming, a central focus for artPontiac.
“We’ve started the workshops, but the school will be so much more than that,” Chyzewsky said, explaining it will offer regular courses instructed by vetted, qualified instructors.
“We’ve discussed this at length, and feel that something has to be offered in this region because youth are important, they are going to be our future artists
[ . . . ] its very impactful to youth, it helps form part of who they are, and hopefully, they can take that and give it back to the community as they get older,” Chyzewsky said.
The non-profit is in the works of hiring qualified teachers to instruct the courses. But not before the group collects feedback on exactly what kinds of courses people in the area would be interested in.
“We’re going to set ourselves up for success,” Chyzewsky said, noting how they will release surveys to the area that will then guide them to creating and offering artistic courses that people in the area are interested in.
Chyzewsky, who moved to the Pontiac from Prince Edward County a few years ago, said she is truly humbled to be in the position.
“The richness and the heritage of this organization is something that really drew me from the very beginning,” she said.
“I think that if we draw people to come and see beautiful things, then along the way, they’ll appreciate so many more things in the region,” she added, highlighting the natural beauty of the region, and how it can be reflected and appreciated through art.
artPontiac is preparing for an exhibition called The Many Flavours of Life, with a call to artists currently open. “The theme is quite open, and people may interpret it differently. I think it will be quite interesting to see what we receive,” Chyzewsky said. The exhibition will open at the Stone School Gallery on Oct. 10.
