Take a stroll through Fernwoodian art studios

>> Jillian Player

In 2007, an idea was hatched by a few local artists to open their studios to the public. Using their own funds (and with lots of support from both Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Inn) the first Fernwood Art Stroll was born. Along with the creation of a small, hand-drawn brochure, the first Fernwood Art Stroll launched in the ­summer of 2008 to coincide with FernFest and was a huge success. ­Building on this, Karen Skowron and CarolAnn Smedley also worked with the City of Victoria to hang large banners on the power poles along Fernwood Road. There were ten banners in all, each with a photo of the participating artist’s work, generously paid for by Deryk Houston.

Inspiring the name of this project, Karen Skowron’s guidebook Fernwood Strolls opens with the line, “the rest of Victoria may walk, but Fernwood strolls.” Those who have remained with the group over the last eight or nine years have always wanted to keep things simple and informal: just a group of like-minded neighbourhood artists getting together to put on a ­memorable annual event. Although there have been artists who have come and gone, one ­principle remains, if they live in Fernwood they will have a place in the stroll. There is no jury, participants are just asked to have a desire to show their work and join in the fun. Many artists work in solitude, so the stroll gives them an opportunity to connect with their community and, in return, the community gets a chance to meet artists.

The Art Stroll usually has about 18 to 20 artists who work in almost every medium one can imagine, and this year is no ­exception. Along with many ­paintings on display, there will also be interactive ­photography, assemblage, hand-made books, cement garden pieces, and woven vessels.

We hope that you come out on the weekend of June 11-12th and join in this ­unforgettable two-day event. Grab a brochure from one of the many ­outlets in the neighbourhood, go online to ­fernwoodartstroll.ca and print the map, look for the little white signs that mark an artist’s house, or visit The Fernwood Art Stroll Facebook page. Thanks for ­supporting your local artists, and looking forward to seeing you there!