In honour of International Women鈥檚 Day, show coordinators Pat Robinson and Melissa Jackson have gathered 40 creative women artists to share their talents at the Foyer Gallery in the Squamish Public Library. During this second annual exhibition, female artists celebrate their individuality and reveal their interpretation of 鈥溞±妒悠礽on鈥� in a variety of art forms accompanied by a written piece. The intention is to affirm and encourage feminine perspective, and the spirit of the exhibit is one of collaboration and co-operation, open to all women who create.
Jennifer Roberts is an adventurer and nature lover who travels the world in search of new experiences, beautiful views, fresh perspectives and interesting people. While travelling to more than 70 countries on seven continents, she tried to capture the beauty found in nature, and she conveys her encounters through the expression of art photography. 鈥淟eaving the comfort zone of home, family, job and friends might seem scary 鈥� but to me, buying into what a woman is supposed to be in our society, buying into the rat race, is more frightening.鈥� We often limit ourselves through fear,鈥� she says.
Roberts believes that solo exploration gives you freedom and independence like no other. 鈥淭ravelling the world on your own changes you and your way of thinking,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t brings many rewards and challenges. It is about connecting 鈥� with people, places and feelings.鈥澛�
Roberts uses photography as a way of sharing her experiences. She is thrilled to be a part of the International Women鈥檚 Day Art Show and appreciates the opportunity to celebrate women through art. 鈥淲e are at our best when we support and celebrate each other, and I hope to inspire other women to make their own dreams come true,鈥� says Roberts.
Instinctive ceramic artist Marcelle Armatage creates unique, colourful clay sculptures and murals 鈥� expressions of figures, animals, mythical creatures and landscapes. 鈥淭he clay medium allows me to play with the forms until I feel they are right. Each piece grows with the application of coils, slabs, slips, underglazes and glazes. My artwork evolves consciously and unconsciously as each idea happens in its own time,鈥� says Armatage. She presents her clay mural entitled 鈥淕rowing Season,鈥� an aerial view of mountains, cultivated farmer fields, roads, rivers and trees, representing her connection with the land.聽
A weaver, Mohieqxweth (Eileen Jacobs), says, 鈥淚 was born and raised in Squamish and am a proud Squamish First Native Sla7hanay (lady). My spouse, my love, and I have raised our four children in Squamish. As well, we are proud grandparents of eight and feel so blessed to be able to watch and help them grow.鈥�
Mohieqxweth first had the opportunity to learn how to weave in 2009 with a mentor within the Nation. This opportunity gave her the chance to make numerous headbands for the 2010 Olympic athletes and their sponsors. The experience filled a void in her spirit, so she carried on with weaving and now she makes scarves, blankets, leg warmers, handbags, wristbands and headbands. Weaving is now Mohieqxweth鈥檚 passion and fills her with joy and excitement every time she makes a special item.
Another weaver, Lynda Maximenko, recalls that her first job in the 鈥�60s was for an industrial weaving company. 鈥淎 worker said to me that one day I could be a weaver. My thoughts were: 鈥榥ot over my dead body.鈥� Little did I know how prophetic he would be,鈥� Maximenko says.聽
In the early 鈥�70s, a friend and mentor came from Sweden to live with Maximenko for a teaching year of weaving and spinning in the rural lifestyle of the Upper Squamish Valley. Then, last fall, Maximenko participated in a spinning retreat in a monastery, where they spun morning, noon and night. 鈥淚 felt like I had dropped into a brand new universe where rules were bent and creativity exploded,鈥� she says. At this time last year, she had just started to weave in her retirement while the women鈥檚 art show was on exhibit.聽 After attending the opening reception, Maximenko knew that she wanted to join 鈥渁ll these amazing creative women.鈥� And now she has. Her wall-hanging for this show is inspired by a connection to her teacher, with an old and a new weaving connected with a string of pearls.聽
聽Profits from this year鈥檚 International Women鈥檚 Day art show will be donated to Squamish First Nations Better at Home program, aimed at assisting First Nations elders to be able to stay in their homes, near family and community. Come and meet the artists at their special reception on Tuesday, March 8, 6 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
