The Avenue Gallery: various artists | 2184 Oak Bay Ave.
This month at The Avenue Gallery, the works of three exceptional artists are highlighted.
Carolyn Houg is a Vancouver Island clay sculptor who creates heartfelt work celebrating our deep connections with nature. Often of animals, her playful and poignant sculptures invite viewers into reflections on posture, personality and presence.
"My goal is to make people smile and feel a caring connection with the animals and birds that surround us, and with those endangered in other parts of the world," Houg said.
Then there's Veronica Stewart, who moved away from clay sculpture after two decades and has been a jeweller since 2000. This Vancouver Island-based artist has never lost her sculptural touch – her pieces are dynamic and structural, woven with gemstones, pearls and crystals, and blending traditional textile techniques with fine metalwork.
Lastly, Bob Leatherbarrow, a Salt Spring Island kiln-formed glass artist for over 35 years, brings one of his most recent bodies of work: a series of unique sushi dishes inspired by fish from around the world.
Leatherbarrow is a master of his technique and an active and popular instructor worldwide who has shared technical knowledge through five e-books.
To create his dishes, he presses a linocut pattern into glass powder, fires at low temperatures and hand-paints details with transparent powders, enamels, micas, lustres and dichro extract flakes. It is subsequently fired, edges are cold-worked, and the plate is finished with glass legs, combining beauty and functionality.
Visit theavenuegallery.com to see all artists on display.
Madrona Gallery: Joe Coffey | June 14-28 | 606 View St.
Joe Coffey prominently creates bold, expressive pieces of animals with overtones of humour, metaphor and mystery. With a talent for observing life, his characters leap out of the bounds of illustration in playful contrasts informed by his background in theatre.
Technically dazzling and full of surprises, Coffey’s paintings upend the natural world to remind us of what makes us truly human.
The opening reception runs June 14 from 1-3 p.m.
Visit madronagallery.com for more.
AGGV: Architectures of Protection | May 24 through Oct. 26 | 1040 Moss St.
This exhibit invites audiences to reflect on ways people find protection and refuge, whether in regard to the self, community, knowledge, culture, identity or land. It features artworks by Dana Claxton, Jessica Karuhanga, Emilio Rojas, Beth Stuart and France Trepanier. Visit aggv.ca for more.
UVic's Legacy Art Gallery: George Clutesi | Until July 26 | 630 Yates St.
George Clutesi is a social artist, and his work has left a legacy when it comes to giving voice to Indigenous culture and resilience.
Curated by UVic in collaboration with Nuu-chah-nulth artists, this exhibit combines Clutesi's original works with new works by contemporary artists, created in his honour. It's part history (archival photographs and news accounts), part activism and part contemporary art.
The exhibit also features a documentary where survivors of the Alberni Residential School speak to his long-lasting impact.
Gallery Merrick: Boys Kissing Boys | June 6-16 | 1806 Government St.
Gallery Merrick, which features Canadian fine art for sale, features the duo show of Angie Quick and Aphisit Sidsunthia in honour of Pride month. The opening evening on Friday, June 6, and the Artist Talk on Saturday, June 7, are accessible via RSVP at gallerymerrick.com.
