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Local artists team up on wall hanging for Canada’s birthday

It all started when the wind played havoc with a Canada 150 sign outside the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts.
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Dozens of local artists and quilters collaborated to create a Canada 150th wallhanging. From left are: Lynne Brogden, Jan Lancaster, Karen Schaw, Peggy Somers and Sharron Chappell. Cathy Dobson

It all started when the wind played havoc with a Canada 150 sign outside the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts.

“We realized we needed to cut some holes in the canvas and, being the Lawrence House, we cut them out in the shape of the maple leaf,” explains board member Lynne Brogden.

That left a collection of maple leafs without a purpose so, when ArtWalk 2017 rolled around, the Lawrence House handed out 10-inch X 10-inch squares of canvas to 100 of its members and asked them to get creative for Canada’s 150.  They were welcome to use the canvas maple leafs if they wanted and some of them did.

In total, 60 squares were returned to the Lawrence House depicting animals, buildings, landscapes and people that celebrate our nation.  Some contributors based their design on the maple leafs. Others chose local landmarks like bridges, water and ships.

Some painted, some quilted.  Others felted or did rug hooking.  A few used pencil crayon and some did photography.

Participants included notable local artists such as Pam Turner Wong, Rozanne Leystra, Jane Hunter and many more.

“There’s some really creative work,” said Brogden who also made one.  “Many of them are really great.”

The question then became what to do with the squares.

Initially, Brogden and fellow board member Karen Schaw thought they might all be sewn together. But a recent exhibition at The Lawrence House by local quilters led to a new idea to attach each square to a huge cloth and create a permanent wall hanging for the stairwell of the arts centre.

The Lawrence House at the corner of Wellington and Christina streets is an historic building featuring an imposing staircase leading to the second floor. The staircase wall is an ideal location for this huge wall hanging, said Schaw.

To finish the project, a group of about 12 quilters who meet regularly at Patterson Memorial Church was recruited.

Spokesperson Sharron Chappell said the Circle of Stitchers has met every second Tuesday of the month for about 15 years. They quilt together and sometimes take on special projects like this.

On the Dec. 1 First Friday, an unveiling of the “Our Canada” wall hanging will be held at The Lawrence House. All are welcome.

CHRISTMAS BLUES EXTRAVAGANZA

Local blues band Lit’l Chicago is returning to The Station Music Hall on Dec. 9 for a Christmas Blues Extravaganza.

“Merry Christmas. It’s time to get the Blues,” says leader Robb Sharp. Last year’s event packed the house.

Tickets are $10 advance, $15 at the door, and available from any Lit’l Chicago band member or Pickers Alley, Cheeky Monkey and DeSena Hardware in Bright’s Grove.

Show time is 7:30 p.m.

The Arts Journal reflects the cultural side of our community. Send your ideas to [email protected] or call 226-932-0985.


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