Author: artintheshuswap

Large Canvas Painting by Patty Ampleford

The great thing about belonging to a group like the Blind Bay Painters, is that there are so many artists that are willing to share their knowledge and support the learning of the group members.  Patty Ampleford, an artist whose large canvas paintings are available at Scott Gallery in Edmonton and other galleries,  volunteered to do a demonstration on her big canvas techniques that have made her works so popular.  You can learn more about Patty by going to her website http://pattyampleford.com or  Scott Gallery in Edmonton.  Here are some pictures showing the progression of the painting.

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If you are interested in joining the Blind Bay Painters who meet regularly on Tuesday mornings at the Blind Bay Memorial Hall, you can use the contact us form on the website to get more information.

2020 New Art Events in the Shuswap

2020 New Art Events in the Shuswap

2020 brings new ideas and hopes to each of us.  Whether it to start a good habit or learn a different skill, something about a new year brings inspiration to try something new.  There are lots of benefits to trying out a new art class!  Deane Alban writes in her article “The Mental Health Benefit of Arts are for Everyone”, ..”Creating art relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, increases brain plasticity, and imparts other mental health benefits. And anyone can do art. ”   You can read more about her article in this link.  Health Benefits of Art

If trying out art is what you are thinking about doing this year, there are a myriad of options happening this year right here in the Shuswap.  Check out some of these options!  View art events on https://artintheshuswap.com/events/

Loose and Creative with Anita McComasGolden A-Z with Shari PrattFluid Art Workshop with Jean TokerSilk Painting with Susan AlyardRahna Vdh classLearn to Fly

Top 10 Reasons to Shop Local

Top 10 Reasons to Shop Local

You always hear – “Shop Local”, but beyond to support your local businesses, I never really understood  all the great reasons for doing so.  But Tad Hargrave explains in his blog at http://www.thelocalgood.ca, why doing so is so beneficial to all the community.  He shares:

“Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It Means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers.
It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependant on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.”  – Michael H. Shuman, author of the book Going Local.

1. Local Economic Stimulus. When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base.

2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support. Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.

3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity. The unique character of your local community is defined in large part by the business that reside there, and that plays a big factor in your overall satisfaction with where you live and the value of you home and property.

4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced. Small local business usually set up shop in the town/village center, providing a centralized variety that is much friendlier to a community’s walk score than out of town shopping malls. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses. Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally. Plus the more jobs you have in your local community the less people are going to have to commute which means more time and less traffic and pollution.

6. Customer Service Is Better. Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. You are also going to see these people around town and they are less likely to blow you off or be rude becauses they have to face you day after day.

7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community. Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s welfare and future.

8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.

9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices. A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10. You Matter More. We talk a lot about exerting influence with your purchasing choices, or “voting with your wallet.” It’s a fact that businesses respond to their customers but your values and desires are much more influential to your local community business than the large big box stores.

from http://www.thelocalgood.ca