Zoe Emily Lianga’s work will be on display for the month of February in Dean Hall at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners. There will also be an exhibit opening and vernissage on Friday, February 5 from 7 - 10pm, with refreshments. This showcase highlights the merging of her separate paths as a designer, felt maker, and fibre artist. Her work will include wall hangings and quilts, clothing, accessories, bags, and home decor.

Her wearable, felted clothing and accessories, made from luxurious fibres (such as camel, yak, merino, and silk), impart a softness that is without parallel. Each design is developed in its own characteristic way, involving a process of much precision, tactility and organic spontaneity.

Zoe’s tailored clothes are built off classic lines, sewn from original patterns and made with 100% recycled fabrics. Her background in study at the Richard Robinson Academy of Fashion Design, focusing on Pattern Making and Haute Couture Sewing, has helped her to design, draft and make her intricately tailored visions. Her creativity takes on a different form in her art pieces and wall hangings, both demonstrating her level of workmanship, plus the overall diversity of fibre arts and felt making.

Zoe has taught several wet felting workshops at the MERA Schoolhouse, where her work is on display during the entire month of February.

Come share in a fun-filled evening, and see where three years of devotion to fibre arts and felt making has taken this local fibre artist.

Those not able to travel to far-flung, sunnier climes this winter might want to take a quick trip to the MERA (McDonald's Corners/Elphin Recreation and Arts ) school house in McDonalds Corners to take in a show of photographs by Abigail Gossage titled "Memories of Mexico 1958".

Gossage, who lives in Ottawa and has a summer house in the area, has been taking photographs since she was a young child at summer camp, first with an old Teco camera. This show harkens back to photographs Gossage took in 1958 as an 18-year-old when she joined her mother on a trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Since then Gossage became a professional photographer and has been working alongside three other female photographers, who together, eight years ago formed the collective Studio 255.

Gossage, who also studied for years and recently graduated from the School of Photographic Arts Ottawa (SPAO), credits her current art curator and mentor Michael Tardioli, the director of SPAO, who encouraged her to take a second look at these early black and white photographs. Back in 1958, she didn't recognize them as particularly special. “Back then, I didn't think that these negatives were worth anything until my daughter and I started going through them and I made a small book of prints. I took them to Michael who said, ‘You have a show here.’”

Since their rediscovery Gossage has realized that even at the tender age of 18, she “had a good eye. “ The photographs were taken on a Yashica Mat camera that produces high quality 2.5 inch square negatives, which is partially what gives these images their pleasing clarity and crispness. However as a young photographer, Gossage also had the ability to intuitively hone in on the elements of formal composition without necessarily being able to articulate them. “Back then I was unaware of rules of composition and what's interesting is that now, I think that if I were put into the these same situations again, I would take the same exact same pictures. My eye, I think, has stayed the same and a lot of these photographs still really appeal to me.”

When asked to explain her style, Gossage said, “I wander and I react. I am not the kind of photographer who has specific projects in mind beforehand. Back then and still now I like to wander and discover the art in what I am seeing as I view it right then and there.”

As an example of this, one photograph in the show titled “Movie Extras”, was a scene Gossage came upon by accident where cast members were taking a break while shooting a film on the street. The scene is both relaxed yet somehow unnatural. An extra in fancy attire looks bored with his hand in pocket while the soldiers on horseback seem tense while waiting for the camera to roll. Similarly, her night time market scenes have a certain intimacy and directness, and their soft focused lighting makes them seem like immaculately designed stage sets, with their multiple layers of objects and dense amount of detail. Another photograph shows two seemingly decapitated ceramic clowns (which Gossage thinks were perhaps piñatas), sitting on stone stairs. The effect is other-worldly, and the viewer wonders what the particular significance of these heads may have been. The piece perhaps demonstrates how when certain customs and cultures of other places are taken out of context the result can be eerie and strange.

Composition comes easily to Gossage, who said that these pictures were not cropped but were printed as is, from the original negatives, making them truthful to what her young eye saw. The photographs are all printed in the same square format on 20” by 20” cotton rag paper, which makes the show hang together nicely as a unit though the subject matter is diverse.

The show attracted many locals, some of whom have visited Mexico, and Gossage easily engaged with them in conversations about the changes that have taken place in San Miguel since her first visit there. “It is now a lot more busy, full of cars and so many more tourists but behind all of that, the buildings and the scenery have not changed.” Gossage is currently working on a show that will open on March 17 at the Trinity Gallery at the Shenkman Centre in Ottawa. The working title for the show is “Disused Spaces” and the photographs will include photographs of abandoned commercial manufacturing sites no longer in use. The show will include photographs taken at the Howard Smith Paper Mill in Beauharnois, Quebec, Domtar in Gatineau, and the Babcock factory in St. Henri, Montreal. To see more work by this artist visit her website abigailgossage.ca

On Sat. November 28 MERA is the place to be for shoppers looking for unique holiday gifts created by a host of local artisans.
The annual juried show will take place at MERA from 10am - 4pm. The fair is the ideal place to shop locally and support local artists and artisans as well as supporting Community Arts at MERA in McDonalds Corners in your community.
This popular, juried show features vendors of original one-of-a-kind creations that you won’t find anywhere else: hand weaving by the MERA weavers and Heather Sherratt, fibre arts items, organic Chocolate by Ludwig, Strawberry Cottage beeswax
candles and natural soaps, salves, jewelry, felted creations, jams and jellies, gift bag raffle, home baking, a café, hand painted Christmas cards and much more.

Two historic legacy projects for gift giving at MERA Kay Rogers editor, author and member of the 200th Anniversary working group for the Tay Valley Township, is also affiliated with the joint working group of the four municipalities that make up the Perth Military Settlement. She will be selling copies of two historic legacy projects that are helping to celebrate Lanark County's upcoming 200 year anniversary in 2016. In partnership with MERA, Kay will be selling copies of the 2016 Perth Military Settlement calendar, which is  comprised of hand coloured vintage postcards (above) that date back to the late 19th century. The calendar also includes a picture of the historic quilt created by the Lanark County Quilter's Guild, which was put together by “the Needle Pushers” at MERA.

Rogers is also selling copies of the book titled "At Home In Tay Valley", an in depth book that celebrates the people, places and
historic events of the township with over 60 local contributors. The book includes a section titled "Arduous Work" about the history of weaving in the area, which was put together by local weavers Ellen Good and Heather Sherratt. These items cost $10 and $30 respectively and will be for sale at MERA (except during the Christmas Fair) with a portion of the proceeds being donated to MERA.

Lovers of, as well as those just curious about classical music, were treated to a spectacular classical concert that opened MERA's Blue Jeans Classical Music series at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners on November 8.

Cellist Emily Kennedy and pianist Keenan Reimer-Watts performed a diverse repertoire. The dynamic duo, both uber-talented graduates of Wilfrid Laurier University, have been playing together for the last three years and both were in prime form.

Reimer-Watts, who is a concert pianist, teacher, composer, improviser, concert curator and chamber musician, opened with a selection of 15 of the 30 Bach short compositions from a work titled “The Inventions”, which were written as pedagogical exercises for the composer's young sons. Like everything Bach, the pieces sound deceptively simple but in reality are examples of his musical genius, profundity and pure musical beauty. Written for the purpose of demonstrating two voice inventions or counterpoint, the Inventions are delightful and Keenan played them with aplomb.

Reimer-Watts then delighted listeners with (Surprise! Surprise!) the Canadian premiere of an original work titled “Wandering Pieces”, a set of four solo and very modern sounding piano works that demonstrate his desire to explore improvisation and jazz piano. The work is new, fresh and covers a vast range of musical ground, with conflicting rhythms and themes that are sometimes repeated. Taken together they entertain and delight and show Keenan's dexterity and desire to push the musical envelope. The third movement in particular shows his openness to everyday influences, like one particular piano that inspired the old clock theme in the piece's third movement.

For the second half of the concert, Emily Kennedy and her cello were front and center, first for Debussy's Cello Sonata, which was written near the end of the composer's lifetime, after he was diagnosed with colon cancer. The sonata's musicality ranges from awkward to playful to highly exuberant. Kennedy delivered the delightful piece to great effect, and Reimer-Watts, accompanying her on piano, was with her every step of the way.

The two saved their most serious and somber sides for their final piece, Rachmaninoff's Sonata for Cello and Piano. Written by the composer as a way to show off his abilities both as a composer and a player (“one with extremely huge hands”, Reimer-Watts was quick to add) this difficult and deeply dark piece demonstrated how this accomplished young duo are not only technically adept but emotionally astute as well. The piece delves into extremely dark emotions that the composer seems to try to disentangle himself from musically, often succeeding and coming to a brighter, less foreboding realm only to be pulled down once again into the depths of darkness.

Those complex emotions were often reflected in Kennedy’s facial expressions as she played with precision, intensity and subtlety. She somehow knows what the composer felt and Reimer-Watts was equally adept.

Though the two had to face in opposite directions in the hall on account of the upright piano, a gentle leaning here and there of the head was enough to signal each other at certain necessary moments. Coming up next at MERA on Sun. November 29 is a concert by Karen Savoca at 7pm. Tickets at the door are $25. Advance tickets are $22 ($18 for MERA members) and are available from Tickets Please, Perth (Jo's Clothes), on-line at www.ticketsplease.ca or by phone at 613-485-6434. Teenagers are free of charge.

Lovers of, as well as those just curious about classical music, were treated to a spectacular classical concert that opened MERA's Blue Jeans Classical Music series at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners on November 8.

Cellist Emily Kennedy and pianist Keenan Reimer-Watts performed a diverse repertoire. The dynamic duo, both uber-talented graduates of Wilfrid Laurier University, have been playing together for the last three years and both were in prime form.

Reimer-Watts, who is a concert pianist, teacher, composer, improviser, concert curator and chamber musician, opened with a selection of 15 of the 30 Bach short compositions from a work titled “The Inventions”, which were written as pedagogical exercises for the composer's young sons. Like everything Bach, the pieces sound deceptively simple but in reality are examples of his musical genius, profundity and pure musical beauty. Written for the purpose of demonstrating two voice inventions or counterpoint, the Inventions are delightful and Keenan played them with aplomb.

Reimer-Watts then delighted listeners with (Surprise! Surprise!) the Canadian premiere of an original work titled “Wandering Pieces”, a set of four solo and very modern sounding piano works that demonstrate his desire to explore improvisation and jazz piano. The work is new, fresh and covers a vast range of musical ground, with conflicting rhythms and themes that are sometimes repeated. Taken together they entertain and delight and show Keenan's dexterity and desire to push the musical envelope. The third movement in particular shows his openness to everyday influences, like one particular piano that inspired the old clock theme in the piece's third movement.

For the second half of the concert, Emily Kennedy and her cello were front and center, first for Debussy's Cello Sonata, which was written near the end of the composer's lifetime, after he was diagnosed with colon cancer. The sonata's musicality ranges from awkward to playful to highly exuberant. Kennedy delivered the delightful piece to great effect, and Reimer-Watts, accompanying her on piano, was with her every step of the way.

The two saved their most serious and somber sides for their final piece, Rachmaninoff's Sonata for Cello and Piano. Written by the composer as a way to show off his abilities both as a composer and a player (“one with extremely huge hands”, Reimer-Watts was quick to add) this difficult and deeply dark piece demonstrated how this accomplished young duo are not only technically adept but emotionally astute as well. The piece delves into extremely dark emotions that the composer seems to try to disentangle himself from musically, often succeeding and coming to a brighter, less foreboding realm only to be pulled down once again into the depths of darkness.

Those complex emotions were often reflected in Kennedy’s facial expressions as she played with precision, intensity and subtlety. She somehow knows what the composer felt and Reimer-Watts was equally adept.

Though the two had to face in opposite directions in the hall on account of the upright piano, a gentle leaning here and there of the head was enough to signal each other at certain necessary moments. Coming up next at MERA on Sun. November 29 is a concert by Karen Savoca at 7pm. Tickets at the door are $25. Advance tickets are $22 ($18 for MERA members) and are available from Tickets Please, Perth (Jo's Clothes), on-line at www.ticketsplease.ca or by phone at 613-485-6434. Teenagers are free of charge.

Marg Stephenson and Jean Dunning, neither of whom have ever shown their art work officially in an art show setting, are holding their premiere joint art show at the MERA schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners. The show opened there on October 4.

Their works, mostly watercolours but also pencil and pen and ink drawings along with other mixed media works, are perfectly matched since much of their subject matter is similar and their styles are complementary. Jean Dunning starting drawing and painting seriously in retirement, while Stephenson has been doing so since she was young. Both, however, have gotten more seriously into art making in their retirement years along with their third “amigo”, Judy Cross.

Both artists often paint from photographs and Dunning prefers painting flora and landscapes, especially farms scenes since she “always wanted to be a farmer but never could”. Her pen and ink farm landscapes, like her" Feeling Sheepish" piece, which depicts two sheep in a barn yard, is done with an intricate mesh of pleasing black outlines and big chunky blocks of watercolour brown and tans to create the light on the dense coats of the sheep. The work has a light and airy picture-book feel that makes you wish you could turn a page and see more of the same. Her watercolour flowers, like one lone trillium, are bursts of pure colour, meticulously painted and possessing a freshness that is wondrous.

Stephenson has a passion for mixed media and loves to draw with pen and ink with added accents of watercolour highlights. She also loves painting landscapes, especially old structures as well as vignettes and her works, like the two winter scenes depicting freshly fallen snow clinging to trees, branches and fences are so delicate and real that it seems that if one were to blow on them, the snow would fall to the floor. Stephenson, like Dunning, loves to push the envelope and has recently delved into drawing her new grand kids. These works, which show the active play of youngsters, have a earnest and playful feel that speaks of the simple joy that children find in play.

Both artists recently began studying with the well-known Ottawa-based Crystal Beshara. It was under Beshara that these two artists began developing their own signatures styles. With their first show now under their belts, the two artists have no intention of stopping and with the further encouragement of numerous red dots appearing beside their works, they look forward to exploring portrait drawing in their upcoming classes with Beshara, which both believe will help inform their drawing.

Dunning’s advice to those who want to make art but feel they do not have the skills is: “You can do it.”

On Saturdays in September during the Farmers Market, the MERA School House in McDonalds Corners will present “Falling for Colour: A Celebration in Fibre!”, an exhibit and sale of Parsimonious Mats and Primitive Hand-hooked Rugs created by fibre artists Donna Sproule of Perth and Judy Bedell of Ottawa. On Saturday, September 5, the artists will be on site at the Farmers Market demonstrating primitive rug hooking and everyone is invited to meet them.

The McDonalds Corners Farmers Market is open Saturdays 9am-1pm, offering fresh local produce, where friends meet at the Market Café for fair trade coffee, and to sample tasty treats from the vendors. Pizza is served from the outdoor wood-fired oven. Come join us! To see more of Donna and Judy’s work, visit www.parsimoniousmats.weebly.com.

The lively cast of the Company of Fools’ production of William Shakespeare's “The Comedy of Errors” pose for a photo shoot after their stellar performance on July 22 at the MERA school house in McDonalds Corners. The cast delighted an all ages crowd that gathered for the outdoor performance, which tells the rollicking tale of two sets of twins who were accidentally separated at birth - two twin brothers and their twin servants, and their love interests. The misunderstandings, dilemmas and mounting confusion make for one entertaining piece of theatre. A wonder of words, sight gags and slapstick comedy, the play was brought to life thanks to the talented and energetic cast and crew along with eye-catching with colourful costumes, fabulous spongy wigs and topnotch sets. The cast each played their highly demanding roles with verve and passion and to great comic effect, making the evening one to remember and likely creating a whole new younger generation of Shakespeare fans.

Lovers of world music were treated to two special concerts that brought the sounds of far-off places to this neck of the woods.

The first concert took place on June 28 at the MERA schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners, where flamenco guitarist Jorge Miguel surprised guests and appeared with stellar flamenco singer, Fernando Gallego, in tow. The two performed two generous sets of top-notch, straight from the heart music and those unfamiliar with the power of authentic flamenco were hit hard with the intensity of emotion that it is.

Miguel, who has studied with the best flamenco guitarists in Spain, de-mystified the genre for guests. He explained that the music goes back to the Druids of 3000 years ago, and is a style similar to American blues in that it is the music of the people, and relies on the interaction between singer, players and dancer.

Though the dancer who normally appears with the duo was unable to make the trip out to MERA, these two left nothing wanting in their incredible performance. Miguel's fast-flying fingers built a solid and magically full sound that followed Gallego's lead and when the seemingly shy singer first opened his mouth it was like experiencing a powerful wallop of emotion that reaches right to the heart and soul of what is meant by real flamenco. The two performed a number of original tunes composed by Miguel, from his two album releases to date, one of which took him no less than eight years to complete.

With Gallego’s vocals accentuating Miguel's extraordinarily complicated rhythms and with the latter alternately hand clapping and beating on the “cajon”, a Spanish percussion box, the two managed to bring the heart and soul of Cadiz, Spain, which is the Spanish hub of flamenco music, to the crowd. The two have been performing together for a number of years, bringing authentic flamenco in all its power, beauty, sorrow, love and humour to appreciative audiences, many of whom, like myself, have never experienced the real McCoy.

McDonalds Corners/Elphin Recreation and Arts (MERA) will host its first multi-disciplinary arts festival on Sat. June 13, 10am-dusk at the MERA Schoolhouse. Except for a build-your-own-ukulele workshop that requires a fee & registration, the festival is completely free. The activities will include a number of workshops and demonstrations by various arts groups, including the MERA Heritage Weavers, the MERA Pottery group, the fine arts “Arts Circle”
and many others. plus activities for children. There will be a puppet-making workshop given by Montreal’s Flying Box Theatre. They make a variety of styles of puppets, tailoring their workshops to each audience, and are looking forward to teaching puppetmaking to young and old alike. They will also present a free performance of “Hans Dudeldee and Other Forgotten Fairy Tales” at the evening gala concert. Flying Box Theatre will also be giving two other performances at other locations: on Sunday, June 14, at 10am in the band shell at Sharbot Lake beach, and 1:30pm at Perth and District Public Library (admission by donation).
An evening gala concert will include Eve Goldberg, accordianist Chantale Urbain performing French gypsy tunes, and Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter David Ross MacDonald. www.meraschoolhouse.org