The popular Four and Friends Art Show & Sale, sponsored by the Bruce Mines and District Chamber of Commerce, has grown to be a highlight of the yearly local arts scene. Each year it draws thousands of visitors to the community to enjoy extraordinary artwork and all that the Bruce Mines area has to offer. Visitors to the show usually take the opportunity to dine at the local establishments, to investigate local shops, and to enjoy this beautiful part of the Algoma region.
The 2013 Four and Friends Art Show & Sale - our 23rd - will take place July 5 - 7 at the Rydal Bank Hall in the historic village of Rydal Bank. At Bruce Mines take Hwy 638 north to the village; it is a lovely 10 minute drive through rolling farmland. Opening Hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm each day.
Details of the 2013 artists are as follows:
The Four:
2013 Guest Artists:
2013 Scholarship Winners:Algoma University Fine Arts Scholarship - Katie Huckson
CASS Scholarship winner - Jennie Dorscht
Proudly sponsored by Bruce Mines and District Chamber of Commerce ( info@brucemineschamber.com).
Four and Friends Art Show History
The Show began in 1990 and each year has drawn an attendance of between 2000 and 3000 people. The original concept of holding a quality art show and sale in Bruce Mines began with Brian Torrance. He approached well-known professional artists Robert Ralph Carmichael, Doug Hook, Gwen Keatley and John Keast and together they developed the idea, chose the name and designed the distinctive Four and Friends logo. The Show’s logo features a tree with four branches with each branch sporting three leaves. This design represents the concept that each year “The Four” professionals would invite twelve artist friends to exhibit with them. Over the years, the four have changed and now are Noni Boyle, Doug Bradford, Linda Finn and Doug Hook.
Artists chosen for the show include a dynamic mix of professional and emerging artists. The show has expanded to include the work of a sculptor and has featured the work of Jurgen Hug, Michael Burtch, Ralph Ingleton, Murray Finn and Gail Giuliani. The popularity of the show results from the consistently high quality of the work that is exhibited as well as the fresh look that is brought to it by the year’s invited guest artists. The distinctive styles and subject matter of all of these talented individuals blend to produce a powerful show.
This art show provides the public with a unique opportunity to meet the varied artists, as most of them are in attendance throughout the weekend to discuss their work. The show is designed to be “viewer friendly” and patrons are encouraged to ask questions of the artists and the organizers alike.
The show is totally produced and staffed by volunteers from the community who work to set up the show, greet visitors at the door, handle advertising and all registration materials and do many other jobs behind the scenes. Our volunteers define dedication. How many organizations have volunteers calling, four months before the show, to make sure that they are going to be called on to help? Visiting artists have consistently commented on how knowledgeable our volunteers are about art and, considering that many have been helping us since the show was first presented, that is not surprising.
Four and Friends Scholarship
Four and Friends is devoted to encouraging the arts, and beginning in 1997, the organizing committee has awarded scholarship to graduating students from the Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) art programme. In 2009, it was decided to award a second scholarship to a student graduating from the Arts Programme of Algoma University. The scholarships are intended to recognize the accomplishments of the students graduating from CASS and Algoma University and the scholarships are entirely funded from donations made by people visiting the Four and Friends Art Show. The scholarship winners’ art is displayed at the show and this provides the students with an excellent opportunity to meet professional artists and to discuss their styles and approaches to art.
Contact us at fourandfriendsart@yahoo.ca