Two of Grand Bahama’s very own will represent the island and The Bahamas at the very prestigious Williams Mill Visual Arts Center in Glen Williams, Canada.
Local artists Sheldon Saint and permanent resident Robert Tarzwell will travel to Canada for two weeks beginning January 23 to February 3, 2013 to participate in an exclusive “Bahamian Treasures” art show.
At the art show 300 to 350 people are expected to visit the gallery during the two-week art exhibit at the Williams Mill Art Gallery where, both Saint and Tarzwell will be exhibiting 40 pieces of their artwork.
Saint, an award winning artist has been painting professionally for more than 20 years.
He became artistic friends with Tarzwell, who wanted to help him broaden his artistic sphere. Thus Tarzwell who grew up near the Williams Mill Art Gallery just north of Toronto, Canada, and a permanent resident of Grand Bahama, approached the curator of the gallery on a visit home during the summer.
Tarzwell an artist in his own right with two years under his belt in painting in water color and acrylics asked the curator if she would be interested in a show featuring a Bahamian artist and upon emailing a few photos of Saint’s work, the impressed curator booked Saint for his first international exhibition for a full two-week showing.
Tarwell also sent photos of his artwork to the gallery’s curator for approval and was accepted for his own showing as well.
Saint said, “It is ironic I will be hosting my first international exhibition as we celebrate our 40th year of independence.
“Taking our Bahamian culture to the international world of art is humbling.”
The artist is a member of the Grand Bahama Artist Association and the American Watercolor Society. His artwork has been exhibited in the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas Inaugural Exhibition in 2003 and 2004 and has been lauded for his work in capturing the natural beauty and grace of everyday island life.
Saint was also featured in the October 2012 Watercolor Artist Magazine and the North Light Book Series, Splash 13: Alternative Approach in Watercolor and his artwork hangs in private collections in countries such as the United States of America, Trinidad & Tobago, The People’s Republic of China, the Unite Kingdom and The Bahamas.
As for Tarzwell he is a self-taught artist who has developed a clean, open style in the pop art realm, painting portraits, animals, motorcycles and Junkanoo.
Tarzwell has displayed his artwork at the Rand Nature Center, Gloria Banks Art Gallery and at the Grand Lucayan Resort’s Grand Gallery.
During Saint and Tarzwell’s two-week visit to Canada they will be offering special watercolor classes and workshops at the Williams Mill Visual Arts Center and engage local business at luncheons and dinner functions.
Located in a large, old gristmill in Glen Williams just north of Toronto, Canada, the Williams Mill Visual Arts Center features hundreds of artist studios and a large community of artists.
The Williams Mill Gallery features year round shows with well-known Canadian and international artists who display wonderful work in oil, acrylic and watercolors, bronze and stone sculpture, body casting, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, quilting, photography, illustration and graphic design.
It has complete studios from glass blowing shops to small wood carving as well.
Dates for Tarzwell and Saint’s activities include:
Wednesday January 23-Exhibit opens in the Williams Mill Gallery, Sheldon is painting in the Gallery
Thursday January 24- Opening Celebration in the Williams Mill Gallery – 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday January 25- Potluck Brunch with Doug & Mary Lou Brock, Williams Mill Artists and Board Members in the Arts Education Centre – 10:30 a.m.
Saturday January 26- Luncheon/Dinner with local businesses
Sunday January 27- Painting in the Gallery
Monday January 28- Watercolour Class – 9:30 to 12 noon – Arts Education Centre
Tuesday January 29- Watercolour Class – 9:30 to 12 noon – Arts Education Centre
Wednesday January 30- Watercolour Class – 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. – Arts Education Centre
Thursday January 31- Watercolour Class – 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. – Arts Education Centre
Friday February 1- Guests of the Halton Hills Cultural Roundtable Symposium – Halton Hills Library & Cultural Centre
Saturday February 2- Guest of the Halton Hills Cultural Roundtable Symposium – Halton Hills Library & Cultural Centre
Watercolour Class & Artist Talk in the Gallery – 2:30 to 6 p.m. – Arts Education Centre & Williams Mill Gallery
Sunday February 3- Closing Celebration in the Gallery – 12 noon to 5 p.m.
By Sharell Lockhart
