For its fourth annual Fine Art Fair on June 1, St. Helen’s parish is once again giving local artists a venue to show and sell their art and donating a portion of the proceeds to people in need.
St. Helen’s Fine Art Fair originated in 2020 as a spring counterpoint to the church’s very successful fall craft sale. The aim was to showcase local artists from the east end of Ottawa to the wider Orleans community. That first year’s effort was, unfortunately, cancelled at the last moment, with 15 guest artists planning to participate, due to the onset of COVID-19. Undeterred, the 2021 fair successfully ran as an online sales event and the following two years continued that success with full in-person sales events. Among the contributing artists, there has always been a contingent of three or four parishioners showcasing their captivating artwork.
Unlike other fundraising activities, St. Helens retains only a 20 percent commission on sales, the rest will go directly to the artists, which, last year resulted them taking home in excess of $3,600. The balance, together with basic entry fees, has typically allowed St. Helen’s ministry to donate about $1,200 to one of our Diocese’s programs. One year the donation was in support of Ukraine refugees, another year in support of Hollyer House, and last year in support of the Diocese’s general homeless ministry. For 2024, St. Helen’s Community Partnership Committee (formerly Outreach) has requested that this year’s donation go to support the flood victims in Pakistan.
Two artists who have been very successful the past few years are venturing into new creative endeavours: Brenda Reid is further exploring her Indigenous roots with some traditional animal sculptures, and Joanne Lacroix is venturing beyond her imaginative pyrography and discovering her talents with fused glass.
Joining us this year is Lynda Dyson who will be enticing us with her abstract figures in mixed media and after two years away, Peter Lackey is returning with his inspired stained-glass art.
Other artists contributing the fair this year are: Jill McKinlay, an RA Camera Club winner with her dazzling flower photography; Caroline Daevy, an award-winning artist, offering her traditional and abstract oils; Carole Renaud with her bold, rich and dramatic paintings; Elisabeth Baechlin whose creations are inspired by nature; Hélène Lepage, an award-winning painter whose focus is on strong colours on a variety of media; Mary Douglas with her exceptionally colourful watercolours; Andrée Marchessaault, presenting her paint studies of some renowned artists; Jane Cass with her very striking landscape photography; Peter Waddell with his innovative wood bowls and trinket boxes; and Clayton Knowlton recognized for his whimsical box sculptures.
You can view the galleries of these artists on our web page (www.sthelensartfair.ca) and follow the progress of the art fair on our Facebook and Instagram pages (www.facebook.com/sthelensartfair [email protected])
If you are an artist looking to exhibit your work for the first time or an experienced gallery artist, the art fair still has room for you. For more information, please contact Brian Glenn, Art Fair Coordinator, at [email protected].
The fair will be held on Saturday, June 1, between 10 am and 3 pm at St. Helen’s Anglican Church, 1234 Prestone Dr., Orleans.
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