On a quiet country corner, in an old historic church, a group of local artisans will offer you a refreshing change from the hectic bustle of Christmas shopping.
Drop by to see a collection of original works of art -100% made by hand and heart.
ARTISTS: Kathy Blake - wood carvings; Pauline Bokkers - one of a kind art gourds; Marie Brubacher - Floral Design; Carolyn Cain, handmade soaps; Tammy Chapman - pottery; Loren Griffyn, Painter -Acrylics on canvass ; Nancy Groenestege - painting; Anna Koot - mixed media & watercolour; Henriette McArthur - author; Ev Scott - mixed media; Hannah Stam - photography; Deb Witteveen - stained glass. Patti Hendricks - Artist Bears; Brittany Hendricks - punch needlework
Anna Koot - Watercolour & Mixed Media Artist; Illustrator & teacher, lives just down the road from Avonbank.
Anna enjoys all forms of art media from acrylic to pen & ink, to oil and pastel. She began Decorative Painting in 1991 and was soon teaching in local shops and around her kitchen table. She continues to teach today in her own home studio. Anna recently illustrated two children's books, Henry & Harriet ( a story about losing someone) and Beaver Tales (Alzheimers and dementia) Two watercolour paintings are currently being exhibited at the AgriCentre in Guelph. Anna believes all forms of art to be a true gift, both to the artist and to the viewer of the art.
Hannah Stam, Photographer, who lives near Mitchell,says:
My name is Hannah. I like raspberries, rain, laughing and many other things.
I have two brothers and three sisters. They are all younger than me, but some of them are bigger. I live in an old schoolhouse with a family of five.
When I grow up, I want to be a wrinkly old woman who makes people smile. In the meantime, I would like to be encouraging, thankful, courageous, thought-provoking, gentle, and more at home with myself.
I tend to be happiest when working with my hands. I work full-time in business administration and part-time at a dairy farm. Someday I would like a house, a garden, and a dog. I think I would like to farm.
For fun I play with paper, fabric, and food. I also like taking pictures.
Debbie Witteveen, Stained Glass Artist
I have been a stain glass artist for 14 years. Constantly learning and evolving creatively in my craft.I enjoy the medium of glass and have recently incorporated it with mirrors.
For me stain glass can be used in so many forms. When I look at a piece of glass with all its dimensions and surfaces it gives me an endless feeling of beautiful possibilities,and I am always surprised as to what I see a piece of glass becoming.
Henriette McArthur, Author
IHenriette was born in Holland but has lived most of her life here in Canada. She grew up on a farm and still continues to live the country life with her husband near Thamesford, raising two children that are her pride and joy.
She has worked in many different areas over the past 20 years, spending the majority of her work career with elderly people that were compromised by many different conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. When she turned 40, she decided to publish ‘Henry and Harriet’, a story that was written for her daughter years before. Newly released is her second book ‘Beaver Tales’. Both books were illustrated by the tremendous talents of Anna Koot.
Loren, originally from B.C., has been living in London, Ontario since 1999. Although Loren works full-time in a busy Medical Lab, her passion is painting.
She obtained a Diploma in Visual Arts from Kwantlen College in 1987 and a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree from the University of Victoria in 1990, where she specialized in Painting and Drawing.
Her works have been shown in Victoria, Vancouver, Toronto, and more recently in London, Ontario.
I have a great need for creative expression, and painting is one of my outlets. I currently work mainly with acrylics on canvas. Both soulful and soul food, creativity gives form to what I see and feel in my head and heart. My creative process involves the use of meditation, journaling and dream work, where I am able to tap into a deep imagistic place inside myself. My images combine vibrant colour, rich texture and movement. My subject matter varies but more often than not, aspects of the light of Spirit emerge. I find the process spiritual and awe-inspiring.
Tammy Chapman
Potter, Sculptor
St. Marys, Ontario
Tammy’s journey as an artist has been very intuitive. If you have a chance ask her about the synchronicities, the ease, at which this adventure began 8 years ago.
Tammy’s work has evolved from wheel thrown work to sculptural goddess pieces. She is shown here carving a flute with a dragon at her side. Her favorite works at present include labyrinths. Labyrinths as a metaphor can allow us to move from the external world to a place of connection. It is from this connected, knowing place that Tammy most loves to work.
She has begun to share her work with others as a teacher and gives workshops in creating Labyrinth Meditation Balls.
For further photos, questions, or information about classes:
Brittney Hendriks has been involved in the teddy bear and primitive business industry for several years with her mom, Patti Hendriks of Primitive Creek and PM Bears. However, it wasn’t until two years ago, when she finally began punch needle herself that she decided to begin The Primitive Puncher – a punch needle embroidery business based out of Brucefield, Ontario. As a student of the Travel and Tourism program at Fanshawe College, punch needle has become the funding for her aspirations of becoming a travel writer in future years. The Primitive Puncher supplies and finished products can be found at Primitive Creek Open Houses, various craft shows and
Kathy, who resides within sight of our beloved Avonbank Church, is fairly new to the Art and Craft business. When she retired from teaching elementary school Art four years ago, she began a journey of creative discovery with like-minded friends.Clik here to add text.
.My creative girlfriends nourish my soul! I love Van Gogh's quote- 'if you hear a voice inside you saying, you are not an painter, then by all means, paint and that voice will be silenced.' My father works with wood and he gave me my first carving tools. I work in basswood- primitive, whimsical Santas, Wizards and Jesters. Dad turns my bases and husband John helps mount my pieces. Now that my four children have left the nest, I am blessed to be free to play with my artsy friends, sew, carve, sculpt and paint. The time to create is a gift!"
Kathy Blake, Avonbank - Woodcarver
Marie Brucbacher, Sebringville - Floral Design
Marie has been working as a floral artist for over twenty years. She specializes in silk and
dried arrangements, from small table top to large centrepieces, as well as numerous designs for hanging. She has been involved in a number of shows over the years and has sold her
creations at different retail locations. Marie also has done extensive work in custom design.
Ev Scott, Avonbank - One of kind sculpted figures, photographic designs
You can get a sense of who I am and what I do from some of the other pages here. For this show, I'm intending on having some Santas and some of the line I create with cards and bookmarks. I'm delighted to have this opportunity to be involved in this show with these talented and fun artists.
Alone in my studio,the soundtrack of 'The Lion King' beckons me away, and somewhere amidst a mountain of gourds ,I find contentment and inspiration!
Why Gourds? Well,I originally planted them to make bird houses for my tree swallows and then I just got sucked -in with their natural beauty and form.As they grow ,as they "die" ,as they change from the inside out ,I love to watch them.Funny that, as they are in the 'preserving "process they become mouldy,and to the naked eye ,rotten and destined for the comost pile,but with just a little patience and TLC a perfect piece of ART is revealed from beneath the surface!Scars and mould patterns create the beauty! Get the connection....?
I owe such gratitude to Ev and "the girls " for their encouragement and INSPIRATION.
Pauline Bokkers, Gourd Artist
Kinkora area
I’m a mom and part-time artist. Whenever I have a day off with no little ones around and my husband is away, you’ll find me diligently working in a little space in the corner of my studio where the kids have not yet started constructing fortresses and zoos. I will pick up my brush, my paint and it’s my turn to play. I look forward to the day when I’ll have more time to explore sculpturing clays or sketching with pastels, but for now I’ll stick to my friendly paints because before I know it someone will wander through our home calling for mom.
Just read The Adam and Eve Project. I could not put it down - read it in two sittings and I will read it again. It is a cross between Robert Ludlum and Frank Peretti. Thanks for writing such a great Christian suspense story.” (Reader’s comment)
Born in Ontario, Canada and military raised, Donna Fawcett learned much about history and how it influences lives today. At the age of 27 Donna disFcovered the difference between religion and relationship and she surrendered her life to Christ. After her children moved into their adult lives, she enrolled in a subsidiary of the University of Connecticut, Long Ridge Writer’s Group, and received her freelance writer’s certificate and her novel writing certificate. As a professional member of The Word Guild, Canada’s leading Christian writer’s guild, and a professional member of PWAC (professional writers association of Canada) she has written for such notable magazines as Guideposts’ Angels on Earth, Beyond Ordinary Living, 3.1.6. A Journal of Christian Thinking, APHA Journal, Canadian Homes & Cottages, Inscribe Fellowscript, Housewife Mafia, and also writes a monthly column for OFTP Home Rules, Homeschool Horizons and The St Marys Journal Argus newspaper.
Under the pen name of Donna Dawson, she has written four novels: Redeemed (Word Alive Press), The Adam & Eve Project (Word Alive Press) which won number eight place on the publisher’s top ten list, Vengeance (Word Alive Press) newly released and the 2008 feature novel for Word Alive Press and The Fires of Fury (Awe-struck Books) to be released January 2009. Donna was also accepted to be one of the thirty Canadian authors chosen to write short stories for Hot Apple Cider created for World Vision by That’s Life!Communications. She is, at present, working on two books. Rescued a story of a young teen who must choose to die from her pregnancy or risk a new procedure to save her life and the life of her unborn child. The Quinces (Aaron L. Drew publications) is co-written with Aaron L. Drew and is an apocalyptic contemporary novel that can be found at www.thequincesbook.com Donna’s writing has been compared by readers to the writings of Robert Ludlum and Frank Peretti.
Born in Ontario, Canada and military raised, Donna Fawcett learned much about history and how it influences lives today. At the age of 27 Donna disFcovered the difference between religion and relationship and she surrendered her life to Christ. After her children moved into their adult lives, she enrolled in a subsidiary of the University of Connecticut, Long Ridge Writer’s Group, and received her freelance writer’s certificate and her novel writing certificate. As a professional member of The Word Guild, Canada’s leading Christian writer’s guild, and a professional member of PWAC (professional writers association of Canada) she has written for such notable magazines as Guideposts’ Angels on Earth, Beyond Ordinary Living, 3.1.6. A Journal of Christian Thinking, APHA Journal, Canadian Homes & Cottages, Inscribe Fellowscript, Housewife Mafia, and also writes a monthly column for OFTP Home Rules, Homeschool Horizons and The St Marys Journal Argus newspaper. 
