Meet Your Makers: Sunday artist demos - Del Holbrook

This Sunday's artist demo is by Del Hobrook, also known as the Chief Toymaking Elf in the cooperative. Del's amazing wooden toys are a firm favourite in the Christmas Marketplace and this year is no different. Kids visiting the Arts Centre make a beeline to the beautifully crafted and sturdy logging trucks, wooden boats, stacking burger games and more. Parents sigh with relief, knowing that these professionally crafted toys are safe for little hands and will keep a child entertained long enough for mum or dad to check out the other gifts.

Why not come down to the Arts Centre for Meet Your Makers Sunday (1-3pm) and say Hi to Del. Ask him what inspires his creative work and what nourishes his artistic soul.

artist-made gifts nourish the soul

Although we don't suggest leaving your precious bundles unmonitored, why not visit the toys section first and let your little visitor test drive a special stocking stuffer. Toys which mysteriously vanish in the night are usually forgotten about until unwrapped on The Day.

Wordless Wednesday: festive greetings

bead work by Luci Gimenes

When at the library/CityHall/Inlet Theatre ...

Visiting the municipal heart of Port Moody?

Kicking your heels, passing time until That Book is checked out from the library shelves, or That Parking Notice (oops!) has been dealt with?

Why not cheer up your day by taking a wander up the stairs opposite the reception desk and stop at the mezzanine display case to check out what the Blackberry Artists have been up to?

As the festive season draws closer, we'll be showcasing our members' work to tempt you into the Christmas Marketplace open at the Arts Centre on St. John's Street until December 22nd.

As usual, all work on display is for sale - phone 604-931-2008 ext. 102 to arrange purchase.

Meet your makers: Sunday Artist - Sarah Ronald

Tomorrow's artist demo is by Sarah Ronald, a talented painter and visual artist who also runs marketing and promotions for our artist cooperative (thank you Sarah!).
Visitors to the gift shop probably recognise her work in the form of the beautiful photographic pieces she sells here, ranging from business card cases through mousemats to adorable compact mirror sets. These all feature her own photography and are professionally printed by the artist onto high quality and durable materials.

For this Christmas, customers are also treated to Sarah's other talent - drawing and painting. She has a stunning series of original drawings, framed for perfect gift-giving. 

Why not visit her in the gallery Sunday, 1 to 3pm, and ask what inspires her art and nourishes her creative soul.

artist-made gifts nourish the soul

Meet the artist - Sunday series of artist demos

Tom Reid and Pauline Doyle getting on with their art

This year why not Meet Your Makers at the Christmas Marketplace?

Each Sunday, starting this weekend, Blackberry Artists will be demonstrating their work in the gallery between 1 and 3pm. They will explain how they make their pieces, what inspires them and answer any questions you have.

Find out how artist-made gifts nourish their souls as well as yours.

Our first artist was George Blackstock, who carves whimsical fairy dwellings out of cottonwood. His work featured in our St. Patrick's Day promotions here on the blog and has been popular with customers since its arrival in the shop.

Next artist: Sarah Ronald - photography, visual art
Share the love - hop on over to our Facebook page to spread the word around the community.

artist-made gifts nourish the soul :)

Wordless Wednesday: the festive editions

handwoven scarf by Beryl Hickinbottom

PSA - a promotional service announcement

Christmas Marketplace 2012 has opened and the gifts are flying off the shelves.
Please do your friends a favour and let them know where to find the best artist-made goodies in the Tri Cities. Either point them towards our website or suggest they subscribe to our blog for regular updates. Or they can join us on Facebook - our Events page will keep them primed. We are also on twitter - join the #portmoody conversation with us.

Share the love; there's enough to go around (but get down here quick!) - artist-made gifts nourish the soul :)

.... and for a taster, try out this video from last year's Shaw Express visit to the arts centre (tune in at 4 mins).

Oooops! Forgotten something perhaps?

ceramic frog by Pauline Doyle

Our Christmas Marketplace opened last night - the gift shop is now open seven days a week until December 22nd, from 10am until 6pm (Sundays 12 noon to 4pm) for all your gift-buying needs. 

Wordless Wednesday: the eyes have it!

paper masks by Joan Marr

... and they are the only ones who know what's going on in the gift shop right now? Will you be there at the unwrapping of Christmas Marketplace tomorrow night?

marketplace_prep

marketplace_prep, originally uploaded by Blackberry Artists.

The Christmas Marketplace is almost ready. Helpful festive elves have been scurrying around the gallery in the Port Moody Arts Centre all day, moving plinths into place (owwch my back!) and pinning the tree in place.

Oh horrors! everything is now under wraps until November 15th when the gallery and gift shop will be unwrapped by one special and intrepid Arts Centre member at 5pm. Arts Centre members get first dibs on the christmas offerings on show in a special shopping event before the main opening at 6pm.

But shhh! don't tell.Here's a sneak peek at what's under the wrapping (more in our Flickr gallery ... can you see your heart's desire?

Artist-made gifts nourish the soul

You are invited ...

... Port Moody Arts Centre gallery opening night, including the opening of our Christmas Marketplace, 6-8pm on Thursday, November 15th.

If you are a member of the Arts Centre then please consider yourself invited to an exclusive shopping event, the Grand Reveal of our Christmas Marketplace, taking place from 5pm on the 15th - you have first choice of gifts in the marketplace.

Lest We Forget

photograph: Sarah Ronald

Wordless Wednesday: the eyes have it

ceramic frog by Pauline Doyle

Christmas Marketplace opens November 15th

Our annual Christmas Marketplace opens in less than two weeks. From November 15th to just before Christmas, the Blackberry Artist's Society showcases all the gorgeous gifts we think would be just right to stuff in stockings all over the Tri Cities (and further afield too).

For a teaser of what's on offer check out this slide show from last year :)