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WALLACEBURG ARTS: Spring brings new season of creativity

As spring hovers around the horizon, a bouquet of arts chats to share. 

I am often amazed — and always feel blessed — to interact with the gifted artists in this community. Some of those connections have come through my work with the CK Arts Council and through writing this column. 

WALLACEBURG ARTS: Spring brings new season of creativity Back to video

It is always fascinating to interview members of the arts community who are being honoured in the annual CK Cultural Hall of Fame. 

Larry Towell, the internationally acclaimed photographer, comes to mind. He grew up just outside Wallaceburg, and my conversation with him was captivating. 

Each year, a number of these interviews spring up, each offering a unique window into creative lives. Meaningful and intriguing connections with members of the arts community are, thankfully, not unusual for us. 

Such was the case a week ago for Joni and me when we met with our friend and neighbour, and a frequent subject of this column, Troy Brooks, for coffee and a visit with him and his partner, Chris. 

As always, the conversation meandered comfortably from politics to art, from life events to world events. 

We sipped coffee, caught up and wandered through Troy’s studio, discussing paintings displayed throughout the space in various stages of completion — some destined for galleries and homes from Saudi Arabia to Australia and across North America. 

Troy and Chris are endlessly interesting to talk to. Chris is well travelled, and his insights into the world are often illuminating; he is also a talented photographer. 

As we perused Troy’s paintings resting against the walls, it struck me that we were, in essence, visiting a private gallery. What a cool place to share a coffee and a conversation. 

It struck me again how fortunate we are to live in a place where world-class artistry unfolds in ordinary spaces. 

Later that same day, we gathered with friends Sylvie, Clif and Gavin Warren for a meal and board games. Before enjoying the wonderful dinner Sylvie prepared and settling in to play, however, we were treated to a mini recital. 

This, too, is not unusual. If you have ever attended one of the Wallaceburg Brass Quintet and Friends Chamber Concerts, or one of Gavin’s clarinet recitals, you know he is both a passionate and talented musician. 

Recently, Gavin secured a contrabass clarinet. He borrowed it from a friend with the intention of using it in the clarinet choir he leads, which performs in our chamber concert. 

This beast of an instrument stands about six feet tall and boasts a bottom note equal to the lowest B-flat on a piano — also the lowest note on my B-flat tuba. 

Shortly after we arrived, Gavin treated us to a couple of charts on this unusual and rather magnificent instrument. At its lowest register, it truly rattles the room. Like the tuba, you feel it as much as you hear it. 

As the meal settled, Gavin brought the clarinet out again and entertained us with selections he has played lead on in our Oktoberfest quartet — this time on the contrabass. Hearing clarinet polka two octaves lower than usual was both novel and delightful. 

If you would like to hear this unique instrument, there are two opportunities in the coming months. On March 29 at the Wallaceburg Concert Band concert, Gavin will perform a featured solo. 

You can also hear it at the Spring Chamber Concert at Trinity United Church on April 11, at 2 p.m. 

In addition to Gavin’s clarinet choir — with its full spectrum of clarinets — we have invited guests from Sarnia through Chatham to join us with their small ensembles. This event continues to evolve, and it is glorious!  

I met Francois Grenier through my association with the CK Arts Council, and over the past several years I have had the pleasure of getting to know him and to experience both his work and his thoughtful explanations of it. 

Francois is an acclaimed artist and a fascinating, passionate conversationalist. His worldview informs his creative spirit and shapes his artistic choices in pottery. 

If you wish to meet Francois, view his work and chat with him and several local artists, mark May 30 and May 31 in your arts calendar. That weekend will feature the next CK Arts Council-sponsored Studio Tour. 

This event is always engaging and informative, and the committee is working to expand the tour to include even more artists and venues — a true celebration of the creative spirit flourishing in our community. 

As spring blooms, so does the next season of creativity in our community.

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