NIAGARA GALLERY SPRING 2009

Trust art! It is truth, and has never failed humanity!

March 7th was a rainy, dull day but the Niagara Gallery was bright and alive with sweet sounds of Jazz. Greg Holmes, Kevin Richard, and guest singers performed to a delighted audience.  What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Life drawing classes with instructor extraordinaire Beverly Barber began on March 12th at the Niagara Gallery. Students of all ages, and all levels of experience enjoyed the relaxed intimate atmosphere, superior lighting, and exquisite posing by model Dorrie Mackintosh.  Anyone wishing to take art classes should notify the Gallery.

Nathan Reynolds	Life DrawingClasses with Beverly Barber	Saturdy Afternoon Jazz

On Friday March 13th a show titled ‘The Shape and the Colour’ opened at the Niagara Gallery and featured the art work of Kyle Reynolds and Karen Meager. The show was appropriately titled as Karen’s paintings are turmoil of incandescent and irrandescent colours and shapes, while Kyle’s thought provoking paintings of muted colours, morph the human shape into different identities.  Around 75 guests visited the Gallery, and were entertained by Kyle’s nephew Nathan Reynolds. Friday the 13th turned out to be very lucky for those who got the chance to visit this opening!

A.I.C.R.A.'s Meet & Greet	Amy Ball with Dignitariess at the Kurdish New Year Celebrations	Artists Bob Goodall's 'It's All Good Bob' exhibit

No need to ‘Beware of the Ides of March’ as Live, Life, Smile hoola hooped it’s way into the Niagara Gallery on Sunday March 15th.  The Honorable Mayor Ted Salci dropped by this allergy awareness community event, showcasing what makes you smile.  Musicians, Writers, Photographers, and Visual Artists from CAn (Community Artists niagara) volunteered their time and talent by participating in the interactive demonstrations with members of the community. TP (Tripod) a three legged Chihuahua, mascot for DV8 Hair Design won over everyone’s heart as owners Ron Bell and Kris Weaver coiffed event planner Debbie Monroe-Fessler’s hair. The day was filled with many smiles!

Fright Night arrived on Friday March 20th as the Gallery screened Andy Warhol presents Frankenstein on FREE movie evening. The show stopper was a scene out of Jurassic Park in reverse, where a tiny dog named Gremlin who is deaf, snatched away a small stuffed animal from Proto, the dinosaur sculpture on exhibit at the Gallery, to show her alpha domination with a growl of proud reward. Only at the Niagara Gallery! (lol)

Artist Meli & son Korby Banner	Ben Ruffet Show audience	Bill Mason (Saxophone) & Ken Robb (Chromatic Harmonica) sit in with the band on Jazz Saturday

On March 21st the Niagara Gallery hosted A.I.C.R.A.’s (Alliance of Independent Canadian Recording Artists) Meet & Greet as they gear up for their concert series.
There was a great turnout and everyone was excited to be playing their original music in a Gallery setting. Indie Gives Rise 1 is first in the concert series which opens May 30 at the Niagara Gallery. For tickets contact the Gallery or call 905 397 6892.

Later that same day the Niagara Gallery’s Director Dean Tedesco and I accompanied Amy Ball to the Hamilton Convention Centre to celebrate the Kurdish New Year. Amy Ball is making a documentary about Kurdistan and used ntv for video coverage. Stay tuned as ntv, the Gallery’s web entertainment television station will be coming to you soon.   

Close to 100 people visited the Niagara Gallery on Friday March 27th to see an art show by local artist Bob Goodall titled ‘It’s All Good Bob’. With this pop-whimsical exhibition of cartoon like, storybook style oil & acrylic paintings, Bob takes an animated look at the human condition. Guests were treated to the soft melodic sounds of Bob’s band ‘Sweetheart Rebellion’ and guest performers. It was absolutely delightful to spend an evening with such talented, unique, wonderful, young artists.

CAn (Community Artists niagara) members John Newby & Douglas Vanasselstine ajudicating the Niagara College Student Show	Dale Nikkel (right) & Steve Abama	Dean Tedesco & Kevin Richard checking sound equipment for A.I.C.R.A.'s upcoming concert Indie Gives Rise 1

A perfect spring day brought about 75-100 on lookers into the Niagara Gallery on Saturday March 28th.  Brian and Ciera Huggins visiting from Florida sat in with the Gallery’s regular Saturday Jazz Band (Greg Holmes and Kevin Richard) while cousin Lorraine danced in her seat. The Gallery welcomed the return of Debbie Monroe-Fessler of Live Life Smile (an allergy awareness & community event) as the month long campaign came to a close. The day ended when one metal sculptor (Richard Steele) and wood Chainsaw Artist Jean Pierre Gauthier resurfaced to visit their old friend Dean, checking out the Queen Street revitalization, and showing off one their latest works. Wow what an amazing day!

Open mic finally came alive on Sunday March 28th at the Niagara Gallery. En-couraged by Director Dean Tedesco, 13 year old Patrick Letourneau, 12 year old Corey Kotyk, 13 year old James Fournier, and 14 year old Dennis Streeter per-formed on the Gallery’s stage using the Gallery’s guitars and drum kit. I was delighted when one of the youngsters stopped in the next day to tell me they had named their band ‘Seen’. How wonderful to see these budding young performance artists filled with pride, enthusiasm, accomplishment, and anticipating their next jam session at the Gallery. Joining the boys on keyboard was multi talented 79 year old Geny Heywood who is also a visual artist, sculptor, and writer. Geny has been working on Proto the dinosaur at the Gallery since November 2008. Proto is the main character in her children’s book series and this exhibition will be opening July 4th, at the Niagara Gallery.  The pairing of Geny and the children shows that there are no age or gender barriers where the arts are concerned.

Dean Tedesco lending a helping hand during open mic sundays	Ed Spera & Dean Tedesco	Grimsby Lakeside Pumphouse Artist Association Educator James Gielfeldt with his 2nd year art students from Niagara College

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Congratulations to the Rudy Quasar Acting Troupe (Jivez Standish, Rod Standish, Phil Bosley, Mattie, Jacob Bergsma, Jaimie Godard, Dustin Stroud, Paul Lacroix, and Bonez) for a family and friends sold out show. The Ben Ruffet Show is a sketch comedy shown in 4 parts with zany madcap humor, and was staged at the Niagara Gallery on Friday April 3, 2009. The show was performed to raise money for “the Green Tour”, Rod Standish’s walk across Canada for Earth Day Canada and C.A.R.A.S (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). How refreshing to see a group of talented young artists performing original material and being supported by their family and friends. Bravo Guys, keep on keeping it real!

Saturday April 4th the Niagara Gallery welcomed the Grimsby Lakeside Pumphouse Artist Association. The exhibition was made up of various artists and a selection of their favourite works which were a variety of styles and mediums. Jazz filled the room as the Niagara Gallery’s house musicians Greg Holmes and Kevin Richard entertained everyone.   

On April 6th the Niagara Gallery facilitated CAn (Community Artists niagara) as they welcomed Wildlife Artist Edward Spera to speak to their membership and guests. The event titled “TO TELL A STORY” is Ed’s journey in life, rise to artistic stability, and the do’s and don’ts in the art world.  Twenty-seven guests braved the stormy weather to join this adventure where “ART IS THE STORY”.  When Ed finished telling his story he opened the floor for questions and graciously stayed afterwards for fellowship, even though he was preparing to leave shortly for India.
Another amazing evening at the Niagara Gallery!

Free Movie Night screening of 'Take'	Geny Heywood and Proto	Gremlin

“Take” was the titled of the documentary screened at the Niagara Gallery on Wednesday April 8, and was hosted by Kamal Mattar. The film showed how workers in Argentia took back factories they had worked in after they were closed, and as a collective got the factories up and running again. All the workers share equal status and pay. Kamal later made a proposal, based on the film, to those who screened the documentary to inspire a grassroots movement on Queen Street in hopes of a sustainable endeavour. Stay tuned!

Niagara College 2nd year students and their teacher James Gielfeldt dropped by the Gallery on April 13 for a pre visit before their up coming show opening April 26. The students were also made aware of the Queen Street revitalization and the Arts and Culture momentum.

On Wednesday April 22nd Dean Tedesco along with ntv went on location to Brock University to capture moments from the World Religions Conference.  

 Open Art Thursdays began April 23rd at the Niagara Gallery. This is a weekly event and people can come out one time only, every week, or whatever Thursday fits their busy schedules. All levels are welcomed. For more information please go to the Gallery’s Events Calendar or call 289 296 6251.

Grimsby Lakeside Pumphouse Artist Association	Host Stan Skrzeszewski of Socrates TV centre John Mayer left David Goicoechea right on the set of ntv	Les Bonner & Jean Parent on the set on ntv

Mayor Ted Salci raises the flag at the opening ceremony for Canadian Mental Health Week	Metal sculptor Richard Steele	Niagara College 2nd Year Student Art Show

 Open Art Thursdays began April 23rd at the Niagara Gallery. This is a weekly event and people can come out one time only, every week, or whatever Thursday fits their busy schedules. All levels are welcomed. For more information please go to the Gallery’s Events Calendar or call 289 296 6251.

On Friday April 24th, a warm summer breeze blew through the Gallery, along with the melodic sounds of Dale Nikkel, Steve Abama, Richard Minns, and Kevin Abama as they delighted the intimate gathering of 30 people with their soulful folk music.    

Between 75-100 people passed through the Gallery on April 25th as the Ridgeway Digital Camera Club had their artist reception. Bill Mason (saxophone), & Ken Robb (chromatic harmonica) sat in with Saturday Jazz band regulars Greg Holmes and Kevin Richard. How wonderful to have a venue like the Niagara Gallery where people come together for the same reason, THE ART!!!!

Not-for-profit luncheon at the Gallery	Photographers & talent find themselves in front of the green scene utilizing the green screen	Ridgeway Digital Camera Club show opening

On Sunday April 26th the Niagara Gallery presented the Niagara College 2nd Year Student Art Show. CAn (Community Artists niagara) members Dean Tedesco, John Newby, and Doug Vanasselstine travelled to Niagara College earlier in the same week to jury the student show. There was a good turnout and the students were delighted to have their artwork displayed in a Gallery setting. The students brought their high energy and a refreshing perspective to the Gallery as only the youth can.   

Open mic at the Gallery on Sunday May 3rd brought out a variety of performance artists. Visitors were treated to a full day of wonderful music performed by talented musicians. Tim Mayberry, age 11 found his beat when he drummed to the rhythms of Greg Holmes & Kevin Richard. Fun! Fun! Fun!   

In Celebration of Mental Health Week the Niagara Gallery facilitated the Canadian Mental Health Niagara Branch art show which featured local artists. The exhibit was on display from May 4th-10th. The show titled “Art Therapy for the Soul” consisted of black ink drawings; acrylic & morphing abstract paintings, special moments photography, cartoon comic book; “Happy Being Me” fun stick figures on bamboo t-shirts; custom hand-crafted canes and more. Dr. Sarah Danial talked about managing stress in this Global mess and Kathleen Batstone had tips for financial fitness. Mayor Ted Salci kicked off the day with the flag raising at City Hall. There was a nice turnout for this community event.

Rudy Quaser Acting Troupe	Mayor Ted Salci raises the flag for Canadian Mental Health Week	Wood Chainsaw Artists Jean Pierre Gauthier

On May 13th the Niagara Gallery facilitated a not-for-profit lunch hosted by Debbie Monroe-Fessler. Around twenty people participated in this networking lunch.

The Gallery was a flurry of activity on May 16 as Dean Tedesco (Director of  niagara gallery) & Kevin Richard ( President/Artist Relations A.I.C.R.A.) were setting up and fine tuning the PA system getting ready for A.I.C.R.A. (Alliance of Independent Canadian Recording Artists) first concert titled Indie Gives Rise 1. Also artist Meli accompanied by family and friends worked diligently preparing for her artist reception. Meli and son Korby Banner (Style by Jury) welcomed visitors from as far away as Brantford and Toronto to see the show.  I can’t think of a better way to spend a day then one filled with art and jazz.

Photographers Jesse Welton, Tom Schmor and talent used the Niagara Gallery’s green screen studio on May 20th. They have been using the green screen in preparation for their upcoming show titled “Skirting the Truth”, which will be on exhibit at the Gallery from June 13th until June 27th.  This Multi Media Interactive Photography concept is the brainchild of Director Dean Tedesco and unveils the hidden truths that are miraged by the glamour and glitz of Hollywood California.

 ntv, which is soon to launch, has been very busy gathering programming throughout April and May. Les Bonner has been instrumental in the pre & post production of this web broadcasting portal that focuses on art, culture, community, and entertainment. Artist, Educator, and host of one of ntv programs Jean Parent has been interviewing Les Bonner on his intriguing past life as a spy in WWll. Stan Skrzeszewski host of Socrates TV was on the set of ntv interviewing John Mayer & David Goicoechea both retired Philosophy Professors from Brock University. Stay tuned for the launch of ntv.   

to be informed about upcoming events contact
Niagara Gallery (Historic Niagara Artistic Exhibition Center)
4323 Queen Street
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2K7
289.296.6251

www.niagaragallery.ca

niagaragallery@hotmail.ca

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