Oct - Old Ottawa South

Page 14 The OSCAR - OUR 31 st YEAR OCTOBER 2005
Art Festival from page 1
For several artists, this was their
first art show. Photographer Clive
Mullins was very enthusiastic,
though he didn’t sell much. “I really
enjoyed the experience. I hope to be
back next year,” he said. Likely the
youngest artist was Edan Naumetz,
sixteen, also a photographer. Edan
took up photography last winter
while in Toronto for lengthy periods
undergoing (successful) treatment for
a brain tumour, according to his artist’s
statement. He enjoyed brisk sales and
thoroughly enjoyed the day. Prolific
watercolour painter Vinod Agarwala
was also very pleased with the day.
“So many told us how great it was….
hope we can all be together again next
summer,” he wrote to the organizing
committee.
Jinny Slyfield and friend, In left foreground
3 of Jinny’s Windsor Park series.
(photo by Patty Deline)
Mary Spicer, a mixed media artist,
wrote, “…that was surely a resounding
success. It was a good show….”
The children’s art area was a big hit
as well. Organizers Claudia Pfiffner
and Lisa Bourette reported over 100
children participated throughout the
day in sculpting and painting giant
murals which will be on display at the
Sunnyside Library. The most common
comments heard at this venue were
“What a great idea!”, “I’ve never seen
this at an art festival before;” and “No!
I don’t want to leave yet!”
Porch Sale from page 1
Community spirit is the key to
the success of the porch sale. This
year, residents on Hopewell Avenue
Members of the organizing
committee had the heady pleasure of
seeing their months of work come to
life before their eyes. Stuart Arnett,
whose brainchild the festival was,
glowed. “We couldn’t have asked for
a better day or turnout.” For Annie
Liptak, whose jobs included booth
layout, it was ”seeing it come to life,
as people (artists) trickled in with
their tents, (the festival) rising from
the ground was awesome. And Arthur
McGregor (of the Ottawa Folklore
Centre, in charge of the stage) did
such a fantastic job with everything.”
Figurative artist Edwina Sutherland
dubbed it “a stellar day”. “It was
fabulous -beyond words,” gushed
Jinny Slyfield. She went on to praise
the contributions of the community,
the financial patrons and supporters,
the musicians, puppeteers and “all the
multi-talented artists and their tentcarrying
spouses.”
The festival began when Stuart
Arnett placed a couple of ads in the
OSCAR last December and January
looking for other artists interested in
a festival. “I was determined,” Stuart
said in an interview. “Our community
didn’t have a studio tour or an art
festival and I knew from the OSCAR
articles (OOS artists series) and
my contacts that there were enough
(artists) to have our own.” In January,
he got a couple of e-mails, the first
from Annie Liptak. Annie, new to
OOS, “thought it was pretty exciting
to have an art festival (here). It’s such
a great neighbourhood.” Claudia
Pfiffner, puppeteer and teacher had
had a similar idea for a couple of
years and was delighted. Edwina
Sutherland thought it was a great idea,
as there are so many artists in the
area, and she felt “it would be great
to show our neighbours what we do.”
By March, Stuart, Annie, Edwina,
Claudia, painter and art teacher Jinny
Slyfield, and this writer, had formed
the planning committee. Architect
Len Ward and teacher Lisa Bourette
celebrated the day and shared stories
at a close-of-business street party.
The gathering was organized by none
other than Joe Silverman, our lively
and colourful neighbour who started
r - l: Kyra McLenaghan Rowat, Claudia Pfiffner, Catherine McLenaghan Rowat.
Puppets made by Kyra and Catherine. (photo by Patty Deline)
joined later.
It was fortunate, said Annie in an
interview, “that people’s backgrounds
and contacts were so different. There
was nothing in the planning one of
us didn’t know how to do or find
out about.” Jinny pointed out, “we
gave ourselves enough time…to go
through the growing pains.” And as
Stuart observed, “Next year will be
easier because we know where to get
the permits and can re-order from the
same people.”
And the committee is already
beginning to think about the
Second Annual OOS Art Festival.
Questionnaires are being sent to all
such cherished traditions as the Pansy
Picnic. Menu items at this post-porchsale
barbeque and potluck included a
“street pie” made by Marjory Bonyun
with apples gathered from the curb!
James with his castle while James and Jona look on. Christine and Francois Pellerin (photo by Carolyn Pullen)
artist participants for their suggestions,
as well as asking for volunteers for
next year’s organizing committee. We
don’t anticipate trouble in this regard
as two artists indicated they would
like to join at the Festival, as did the
mother of one of the artists.
For news about next year’s plans,
watch the OSCAR in January.
This is part of a series about artists
who live in OOS. If you are a visual
artist, or know one who might be
featured, please call Patty Deline at
260-1077 or e-mail pdeline@rogers.
com.
Metal leaf painting and photo cards by Annie Liptak and acrylic work by Benoit Perrault.
(photo by Patty Deline)
If you missed out on delicacies such
as “street pie,” or dusty treasures at
give-away prices, there’s always next
year!