Creative Connections opens at St. Andrew's
Special
1991
By Dick Illingworth

A professional artist needs a place to exhibit paintings for sale. With the closure of the York Fine Art Gallery in Aurora, local artists have had difficulty finding a gallery to show and sell original works. Crafters have a similar problem.

With this in mind, Aurora watercolourist Susan Walker-Ing and crafter Jean Little decided to do something about it. They have visions of developing an Aurora Cultural Centre, called Creative Connection, in the St. Andrew's Shopping Centre.

Assisted by the shopping centre management, a shop was made available in the courtyard, artists and crafters invited and the first joint exhibition and sale was held in conjunction with the centre's annual sidewalk sale.

Creative Connection will continue with a gift shop and show area to display members' creations as well as an instruction area for members' classes and workshops. The art centre will be manned by member volunteers on a cooperative basis. Art exhibitions of a 10-day duration will be arranged on a regular basis with Thursday previews.

Artists participating in the opening sale included Tom Buchan, Anne Armstrong, Fred Armstrong, Pat Barber, Anna Nadin, Bev Watson, Eleanor Howard, David Rankine, Dorothy Clark McClure, Johanna Van Kempen, Christine Valenti and Susan Walker-Ing.

Crafters include Rhonda Heath, Bev Smith, Mary-Louise Tufford, Jane Painting, Ann Teehan, Tim Barter, Susan Anderson, Ann Menlove, Hannarlore Bark, Shelly Maunsell, Jean Maunsell, Sheena Griffith, Betty Woodhouse, Jean Little, Lee Ing and Richard Foster.

The artists and crafters are working for a permanent cultural centre for Aurora. Purchase of their work will assist them in reaching their objective. For further information, phone Susan Walker-Ing at 727-3272 or Jean Little at 841-8479.

In The Gallery column
Compiled by Dick Illingworth

This new Aurora venture, featuring the original fine art of local artists and the handicrafts of local crafters, is located in the courtyard of St. Andrew's Shopping Centre with a gift shop and exhibit area to display works by members. There is also an instruction area for member's classes and workshops.

The centre offers a wide range of benefits for members and for art lovers. Always a wide range of original fine art and crafts available for sale. A grand opening will be held later this year.

For further information call Jean Little (crafts) at 841-8479 or Susan Walker-Ing (fine art) at 727-3272.