Muskoka Artisans

A long time visitor to various art shows, Fall Fairs, and markets, I feature a photo of three local artisans:

• Margo Gracey 

Bramblewood Art Studio of Muskoka

• Penny Varney  

 Jewellery Gallery & Gifts,

• Bonnie BewsHinterglass Paintings
  

 We visit many events over the summer, while we hibernate, the artists are busy making new items for a greedy public, anxious to take home a part of Muskoka.

What great news for Muskoka. This program will help students find their niche:

Project aims to bolster Muskoka’s creative economy
December 16, 2009 - by Karen Longwell


Creative Paths, a $40,000 provincially funded project was launched on Nov. 30 at Rene M. Caisse Theatre. Creative Paths is collaborating with the Arts Council of Muskoka, Muskoka Lakes Music Festival and Huntsville Festival of the Arts. It aims to educate students from Grades 9 to 12 about the arts as an economic growth sector, said Carolyne Wagland, Creative Paths project co-ordinator.

What a fabulous event for our young people. My Toronto-based actor-son participated in the Canadian Improv Olympics, and sang in all the school musicals at Bell H.S. in Ottawa. It prepared him for many life lessons. It gave him confidence and stage presence.

Visual artists, musicians, photographers, metal workers, potters, craft folks of all colour and persuasions participate in making Muskoka a beautiful place, with beautiful people.

These folks all show at local markets or craft shows during the summer. I imagine them working indoors, or taking a break while the snow flies!

There are many choral groups, my parents sang in the Elderberries Choir!

I participated in the Blues in the Schools Project in Ottawa, when I was teaching. Bringing musicians in to the schools to learn about the roots of the blues, and rock and roll. What a time we had!

It is with great delight that we often travel out and about to the Farmer's Markets, the craft and art shows. Artisans in Muskoka are plentiful, almost as plentiful as retired teachers and nurses!
Other posts: more photos!

• Muskoka Lakes Art Tour
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  June 13/14 Spring Arts Tour

Hinterglas Castle - Zelda and Esmerelda

What a treat to attend an open house at Walker's Point's Hinterglas Castle Studio.

An amazing place, you just have to visit it if you are near. My dear friend, Penny Varney, the jeweller, told me about the place. Only a couple of km in from highway #169, it is a delightful spot.


Bonnie had an open house to welcome her muse and teacher, Rudolph Schmid. Her castle, Hinterglas studio and gallery, is a fine tour.


As it says on her website:

"This prominent Bavarian Glass painter showed an interest in Bews' style of work and offered her an apprenticeship at his studio www.glaeserne-scheune.de . Bonnie accepted this unique opportunity and returned to Germany in 1992 to discover a whole new medium including Hinterglas."

And we are grateful. We have bought some greeting cards that feature her line drawings, and t
he kids have a couple of prints in their daughter's nursery.

The artwork in this book, Bonnie's work, is wonderful.

We bought it for our granddaughter.

Zelda and Esmerelda
A Childrens Fairy book!
Writen by Susan Elizabeth Ross
~ Illustrated by BONNIE BEWS