What comes to mind when you think “CANADIANA”? The great outdoors? . . . Maple trees and sugar bushes? . . . Hockey? . . . First Nations? . . . Our flag? . . . That’s the question I asked a year ago when I started working on this collection. There are so many things that represent the Canadian way of life, not only our unique climate and the activities that go hand in hand with that, but our disposition as well. From politics to entertainment and the arts, the Canadian way is polite but powerful. This exhibit is just the tip of the iceberg, there are so many more images I can explore through sculpture that would fit nicely in this series. But for now, 12 sculptures will be on display at the Shenkman Arts Centre in the AOE Gallery. In addition to the sculptures there will also be 8 relief portraits of a few inspirational Canadians. People like Nellie McClung, one of the famous five suffragists who fought for women’s rights in Canada. Clara Hughes, Olympic medalist and the face of Canada’s mental health awareness program and a few more that hopefully you’ll recognize.

The month long exhibit runs from July 16 to August 17, but if you’re out and about on Sunday July 26th, come say hello during the “Beau’s Art” Meet the Artist event. I’ll be on site talking about the inspiration and the process behind my sculptures as well as demonstrating some sculpting techniques in polymer clay.

Here are just a few of the pieces you can expect to see . . .

The Sugar Bush                                                                                                                              24″ x 18″ x 10″ polymer clay, resin, textiles, wood and wire

6am Hockey Practice                24″ x 12″ x 12″, polymer clay, textiles, wood and wire

Canadians of Distinction                                       Each portrait is sculpted in polymer clay on a ceramic tile, set into a 10″ x 10″ shadow box frame.

Bus  Stop                                                     24″ x 12″ x 12″, polymer clay, textiles, wood, wire