Art? You bet
Jill Klepacki

At the corner of Caroline St. and Erb St., across from The Seagram Museum, resides The Canadian Clay and Glass Museum, host of the annual, I Love Art show. On February 13th, at 7:30 p.m., the artistic venue will feature more than 25 local artists and artisans. The evening promises to be an ‘arousing alternative’ where guests are invited to watch the many sculptors, enamelists, printers, and other artisans create their masterpieces. This year’s show will feature Memphis in Motion, a team of female Elvis impersonators. Local palmists and tarot card readers will also be available, "to give a curious glimpse of the passionate year ahead."

At the end of the evening, the artists and artisans will present their masterpieces and the results will be auctioned.

The history of the CCGG began in 1981, when a guild of ceramists came up with the idea of building a national gallery. In 1982, five cities across Canada, including Waterloo, Halifax, North York, Calgary and Victoria, had been nominated for the home of this gallery. Due to Waterloo’s location in central Ontario and close proximity to other tourist centres, it was chosen. In June of 1993, the CCGG opened its doors to the enthusiastic public.

Today, The CCGG boasts the prestige of being one of Canada’s newest national galleries and the only national gallery dedicated to the craftsmanship of clay, glass, stained glass, and enamelists. The architects of this building kept the presentation of art in mind when they created five dramatic exhibition spaces, complete with generous banks of windows and an enclosed courtyard for the display of outdoor art and sculpture.

The summer is an especially active time for the CCGG as they open their doors and invite the public in with free admission for particular events. During the warm days of summer, the CCGG has a fanfare where the public can visit the gallery and watch artisans manipulate their respective mediums.

Regularly, the gallery encourages amateur artists from around K-W to try out their artistic skills at the workshops hosted by local artisans and featured artists at the gallery. Ranging in cost from $40 to $100, including the cost of supplies, these art workshops run from one afternoon up to as long as a few days.

The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. The gallery will also be open for extended summer hours to encourage students to visit the gallery and enjoy its splendor.

The CCGG invites everyone to its annual I Love Art show this Valentine’s weekend at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Advance tickets can be purchased at the Gallery Shop at 25 Caroline St. North or at the Harbinger Gallery at 22 Dupont St. West, or by calling the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery at (519) 746-1882.

Jill used to fingerpaint when she was a wee one but when she kept eating the paint her teachers moved her over to cut and paste. Poor Jill, lack of love created the horrible space monkey that she is.