By Sharon Jackson
GORE BAY—On Saturday, June 25 from 2 to 4 pm, Harbour Lights Artisans welcome the public to the grand opening of their new gallery and studio at the Gore Bay Harbour Centre.
Linda Willson explained how her dream of bringing together a group of artisans to showcase their work turned into reality when studio one became available this winter. She talked to several artisans in the area and assembled a group that is offering some amazing works in the gallery and working studio. People can visit and see the artists at work and talk about their art.
On the walls you will see the beautiful water colours of Christie Pearson Anderson, and reproduction gigclee prints and cards are also for sale. There is the charming splendor of the jewellery and hand-painted shirts of Ursula Hettman and the pottery of her daughter Antje.
Ms. Willson herself is offering a variety of artisan products from her home-made preserves, oils and vinegars, to knitting, quilts and Manitoulin produced books. “Dejan Kovachev will round out the displays with his rustic wood crafts and we have student in residence, Cheyenne Barnes with her acrylic paintings, drawings and cards printed from those paintings, said Ms. Willson.
Ms. Willson went on to explain that she is pleased to welcome Helen Siksek to the studio with her jewellery and paintings.
Ms. Willson also explained that the gallery will feature a fair trade display of coffee, tea and chocolate bars from Just Us Coffee. Fair Trade is a good way to make sure that the producers get a fair price for their work and that things are done in a way that protects the environment. All of the Just Us products are grown using organic methods.
“In a way,” said Ms. Willson, “all of the products in the gallery are Fair Trade in that we guarantee a fair price for all the artisans and their work in our gallery.”
“So we welcome the public to join us for our grand opening and hopefully you will make it a regular stopping point when you are in town,” said Ms. Willson. There will be music, refreshments and a special door prize for visitors that day.
