Jul 03, 2014


Those who may have missed the 7th annual Garden Party and Open Studio event in Arden on June 28, have no fear. A talented trio of Arden artisans are open for business all summer long (and throughout the year with certain exceptions) and they all love to welcome visitors to their picturesque showrooms and studio spaces.

The trio of Arden artists are painter Judith Versavel of Gallery on the Bay, potter Joanne Pickett of Arden Pottery and Sarah Hale of Arden Batik. The artists enjoy receiving visitors into their creative spaces, educating them about the work they do and showing them around the studios where they create their unique work.

Sarah Hale has been making art using the wax-resist technique, batik, for over 40 years and opened her studio decades ago. Hale's colorful artworks focus primarily on local natural landscape and wildlife and her recent new works include subjects inspired by a trip to Columbia where she attended the annual Carnival festival. She also creates themed pieces for special events. In her studio she stocks other unique Ontario crafts as well a number of fair trade gift items from around the globe.

Judith Versavel is a multi-media artist who offers up a wide variety of creative works in various mediums at her lakefront home studio. Painting is Judith's primary focus and her subject matter includes landscapes, local buildings, still lifes and portraits. Judith stocks a wide selection of her own cards as well as her own line of jewelry and also stocks a variety of art and craft items made by other local artists, including woodturned objects, photography and posters.

Potter Joanne Pickett has been making wheel-thrown functional stoneware and decorative pottery for decades and her beautiful home front showroom is a testament to her prowess as a master potter. She offers up a wide array of highly functional home and kitchen items including mugs, bowls, vases, serving dishes and much more. Her forms are precise, pleasing and decorative, lovely to hold and use and come in a wide of variety of high-fired glaze finishes. Joanne does not limit her talents to the wheel; she also enjoys venturing into the sculptural realm of her medium and creates intriguing pieces to decorate the garden and other outdoor spaces.

Art lovers seeking that perfect, unique, hand-crafted gift should look no further than Arden.

Arden Batik is located at 1029 Elm Tree Road (phone 613-335-2073), Arden Pottery, 1040 Big Clear Lane (613-335-2763) and Gallery on the Bay, 1010 Willett Lane (613-335-2032). The studios are open regular business hours throughout the summer, and all year long with other specified hours but to be sure, call in advance.

 

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