A couple of weeks ago I found myself sitting in a room full of mostly women in the clubhouse of the Executive Inn and Suites, paintbrush in one hand and a delightful pinot gris in the other. A blank canvas stared me in the face, and at the front of the room stood artist Toby Jaxon wearing both a headset and painting smock.
Pinot & Paint, an event conceived by Norman Rudy鈥檚 manager Roseanne Scarth to socially bring together a group of would-be artists and wine enthusiasts was met by an enthusiastic sell-out crowd 鈥� but it was a task that required a great deal of preparation and attention to execution.
Enter Cathryn Atkinson.
Atkinson, a former editor of The 小蓝视频, recently launched Arts Adventures Canada and the timing was perfect for a (not so) dry run.
Having left her most recent position as arts editor at Pique Newsmagazine in October, the journalist-turned-artist was chomping at the bit to introduce her new business venture that focuses on bringing large-scale artistic, educational opportunities to conferences, associations, and businesses looking to offer individuals artistic opportunity and even team build.
After doing her market research and writing a 60-plus page business plan with the support of Community Futures Howe Sound, Atkinson said she hopes Arts Adventures Canada takes off in such a way that she can leave journalism behind.
鈥淲orking in community newspapers gives a unique perspective, you get to know people in different ways. I felt there was an opportunity in the resort municipality 鈥揵ut also elsewhere. I expect that what we offer will be able to service everything from Pemberton to Abbotsford and all points in between,鈥� she said.
Starting locally seems like a great way to get things off the ground.
鈥淭oby has been teaching for years, but never for a group that big. I鈥檓 there to organize and take care of everyone so she can do what she needs to do. It鈥檚 going to be a monthly event 鈥� and the second one sold out within two days, and people have been calling to see if there is a waiting list. The response was tremendous. Clearly, Squamish is ready for this,鈥� Atkinson said. 鈥淏ut I definitely want this to be more than that.
鈥淭he idea that we could come into an office on Burrard in Vancouver and do a class for three hours where people could get away from their computers and turn their phones off appeals to me a lot,鈥� she said.
Atkinson said that there will also be mosaics, which she will teach herself, a potential for photography, theatre sports, and more tactile opportunities through the teachings of Squamish Nation鈥檚听Tsawaysia Spukwus听who specializes in cedar and wool weaving, basket making, drum making, and forage walks out in nature.
鈥淭he idea behind Arts Adventures is that we want to work with local artists. When I go to Vancouver, I want to make sure Vancouver artists are involved. Here, I want to make sure Sea To Sky artists are involved. I want the subjects to be local subjects and locations.
"Toby鈥檚 first project for Pinot & Paint was the Chief, and what could be more Squamish than the Stawamus Chief?鈥� she asked.
She鈥檚 100 per cent on the money with that one if you ask me.
My painting of the northern lights over the Chief is proudly displayed in my living room. And I know there are probably 49 others out there in similar spaces.
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