Christine Whelan FEO, March 28, 2024, VOL. 5 ISSUE 15
Guests, artists and volunteers of the Fort Erie Arts Council (FEAC), located at 246 Ridge Road North, downtown Ridgeway, enjoyed beautiful weather, charcuterie board, refreshments and an amazing display of artistic work, all created by women, on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024.
Donna MacLeod, President of the Arts Council, also one of the artists who displayed her work this month, selling two of her pieces during the event, commented, “The Open House went very well. A lot of women participated. The artists made some sales, which is awesome.”
When asked if she could estimate the percentage of returning artists versus new artists participating in the open house, Donna responded with approximately 60 % returning and 40% new.
She continued, “There was a good turnout, both men and women. We had people come who had never been through before; some who have lived in Fort Erie but never knew about the gallery, as well as newcomers.”
“The weather was beautiful so we were outside, on the sidewalk, chit-chatting with snacks, as well as inside,” where the displays were.
Samantha Meli, a young, local artist and author of children’s books, brought in cards of her illustrations. “Seven out of the twelve cards were sold.” The FEAC sponsored Samantha during her high school days, giving her an award. She has also displayed during the FEAC’s Red Ribbon fundraiser.
When talking about the artists, Donna shared, “Some are new to the area, some are new members who were not members before and wanted to participate. This has been mostly through word of mouth.” Much of that word of mouth has occurred through the adult classes at the hub and gallery.
“Some of the women were students in our classes who felt very confident about the work they created and wanted to show them.”
Maria Harrison-Edge’s drawing classes are called No More Stickmen and are raising confidence in people who didn’t know they had artistic skills. She now offers level 1 and level 2 classes.
“This is Maria’s second year running these classes.”
Other FEAC Programs
“We have expanded on our classes,” Donna explained. “Hazel Reinhart runs a class that is more of a coaching class. So, people will bring in pieces they are working on and she guides them through, helping them with different techniques and such.”
MacLeod listed some of the regular and new classes at the art hub and gallery. “Our Kidoodle art program for kids is still the same. Melani Pyke is always changing up her classes. We’ve done some Bob Ross Paint Nights. We have a new artist, Jennifer McPherson, who runs a mixed media class.” Adding, “That’s a new class for us and we’ve had a great turnout. She has another one coming up.
“We also have another class called Our Town. Students will be taking photographs of certain spots throughout the community. Once it’s turned into art, we’ll show it all in the window.”
Public awareness has been a bit of a challenge for the Art Council, “Because we are kind of out of the shopping district and sometimes people when out shopping, don’t wander down this way.”
Donna talked about how they, as a council, have been thinking of ways to get the word into the community that they are there. One step they took was to first add the art gallery sign to the outside of the building.
“Mind you, when the market opens up,” referring to the Ridgeway Farmers’ Market, which runs just a few buildings up from the hub and gallery Saturday mornings from May to October, “we’re constantly busy.”
The set up for the Open House was as last year, with the front room dedicated to women’s work, remaining on display for March.
There’s still time to get to the hub and gallery, just a few doors south of the Friendship Trail on Ridge Road in Ridgeway to check out the display.
The Fort Erie Arts Council was formed in 2005 by a small group of local artists and community members as a not-for-profit charitable organization.
The FEAC likes to give everybody who is a member the same platform to showcase their work, whether they’re hobby artists or professionals.
For membership inquiries, email artscouncilforterie@gmail.com and for more information on the Art Council, check out the Fort Erie Arts Council website: forterieartscouncil.com. You can also follow them, as they post their programs and events regularly, on Facebook.
