ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH - Adam Geldart handles a paint brush as deftly as a hockey stick.
When the seven-year-old is not playing with his Antigonish Bulldogs' teammates, one might find him drawing or painting.
The Antigonish Arena and Keating Centre serve as the home locations where he laces up his skates, while The Arts House has become a venue for the Grade 2 student at Antigonish Education Centre to work on his artistic talents.
“It is a lot of fun,” Adam said, with a wide smile, just a few minutes after putting the finishing touches on his most recent creation.
In only one hour, during a visit to The Arts House on a recent wintry Saturday afternoon, he finished a colourful portrait of a puppy playing in the yard on a sunny day.
“Tigon,” he said, when asked if the pooch – the paint still drying on his gray coat – had a name.
His mother, Andrea Doucette, pointed out he shares the moniker with their family dog, one taken from the middle letters of Antigonish. This was the second time Adam participated in a paint party, one of the myriad arts and culture programs available to community members at the venue, which is located on the grounds of Antigonish Market Square on Church Street.
During a paint party – there are also evening sessions for adults (19+), where cocktails are served - participants recreate a piece fashioned by instructor Andrea ‘Andy’ Pumphrey, who takes them through a step-by-step process.
“It is not a painting class – it is a painting party – and the main goal is to have fun," she explained.
Although Pumphrey guides participants through the paint-by-numbers like process, she stressed individuality is also encouraged.
“I want people to make it their own,” she said, noting Adam was “very creative” and asked to add elements to his work.
“That’s what it is all about,” Pumphrey added.
Participants in the painting parties receive all materials, including the canvas, but not the cocktails, for $25.
“It is a lot of fun,” Adam, who has a painting book and brushes at home, said of the experience.
At this first painting party, he noted a snowman was the subject for participants.
Adam also attended a birthday party at The Arts House, another of the ways in which visitors can enjoy the multi-purpose facility.
Variety is ‘amazing’
When it comes to the offerings available at the location, which opened more than 18 months ago in the former Antigonish Visitor Information Centre, Beth Latwaitis said the “variety is amazing.”
“We are busy and growing,” the longtime volunteer with the Antigonish Art Fair Society, which led the establishment of the community hub, said.
During a rare break in the action at the Arts House, Latwaitis, Aida Arnold (another dedicated volunteer) and newly-appointed full-time creative director Rachel Power reflected on its growth and plans for the future.
“There are art-based and artist-led activities throughout the week,” Arnold said, adding volunteers are “very pleased” with the growing participation.
A quick tour through the building tells the story of its diversity; one part of the building - where swords hang from one wall - is the space used by a local dance school. In another corner, there is a kiln and five wheels, where pottery classes are offered.
In between those spots, the largest area where people enter the building, there are plenty of palettes, brushes and easels. Throughout the building, there are paintings and drawings that not only bring life and colour to the space, but also celebrate the work of the artists.
“There is amazing energy – it has become a gathering place; it is a community hub,” Latwaitis said.
The location – described as ‘a space to create’ – also hosts book launches and readings, not to mention Christmas, birthday and other seasonal parties.
There are dance and Qigong classes.
“It has become a gathering place – a community hub,” Latwaitis said.
There is also open studio time, which takes place Tuesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Power, one of the many artists who have taught classes to adults and youth in the space, said “we are always looking for new artists with fresh ideas.”
The Arts House continues to partner with a variety of organizations, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority, in providing workshops. Noting the connection between arts and health – one recognize more and more across Canada – Arnold said the house provides an activity space that isn't clinical, while providing comfort for participants.
She added Arts Health Antigonish and St. F.X., amongst others, also frequently use the space.
And, there are the key relationships that have been established with the Town of Antigonish and Municipality of the County of Antigonish, both financial supporters of the society and its work.
“We are also providing artists with an opportunity to teach,” Latwaitis noted.
She and Power – both trained educators – mentor artists who may not have taught classes, providing them with the guidance to take that step.
The Arts House and its offerings have provided opportunities for artists - both new and established - to gain more exposure and compensation for their work, one of the focuses for the late David Miller, one of the founders and patriarch of the Antigonish Art Fair Society.
Busy times
While The Arts House is the year-round venue for the society - the bricks and mortar, if you will - the flag ship event for the organization continues to be the Antigonish Art Fair, a weekly Friday evening gathering that takes place over five weeks in the summer at Chisholm Park in downtown Antigonish.
It will celebrate its seventh season in 2020.
Along with that, and the activities taking place at The Arts House, the society also contributes to annual events such as the Antigonish Highland Games' Street Fair, Canada Day and Halloween Harvest Bash.
Nevertheless, society members know there remains work to do, when comes to letting people know what it offers, particularly at The Arts House.
“We think there are many people who remain vaguely aware of what happens here,” Latwaitis said.
As for what is happening in the coming days and weeks, planning for the annual March break camps, which will take place from March 16 to 20, are in full swing.
On that tail end of that week, on March 21, artist Sarah England will lead a button bracelet making workshop.
The usual classes and activities, such as the painting parties, will continue.
Over the winter, students who study with Antigonish native Mark MacIsaac of the St. F.X. Schwartz School of Business will be working on a business model for The Arts House.
“They have some great ideas and are really excited about the project,” Latwaitis said of the university students.
And, although it may seem early, planning is already underway for the popular summer camps offered at The Arts House.
Helping expand offerings, and getting the message out about what they do, will be part of Power's duties moving forward.
“We are so pleased to have her," Latwaitis said.
“I am so happy to be part of this team; it is a true team,” Power added.
A team that is focused on helping meet the “needs of the community,” when it comes to arts and culture opportunities.
When it comes to its hub – The Arts House – Latwaitis said it is a space where "you can be yourself and there is fun for everyone.”
“It is a welcoming space for creative and community-based ideas," Power added.
For more about the Antigonish Art Fair Society, including The Arts House visit antigonishartfair.com or email Power at [email protected]. They can also be located via Facebook (@AntigonishArtFair) or Twitter and Instagram (@nish_art_fair).
