Two new exhibitions will soon arrive at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville. Robert Held and Brian Middleton return to the MAC, together this time, in their joint show Trip The Light Fantastic, which lands on Sept. 2, according to a news release by the arts centre. "It’s an exciting all-immersive art experience celebrating light, colour and motion in a spectacular and innovative way," the release said. Using multiple digital-projectors and massive screens, both Held and Middleton will shower their gallery visitors with a spectrum of rich moving colours and diverse imagery accompanied by an original musical score. Thanks to the creative assistance of their local and talented production team and with a generous corporate sponsorship providing the necessary technology, Trip The Light Fantastic highlights how community-building, collaboration and artistic vision can create something even bigger. Proceeds from their joint exhibition will help to support the local fundraising initiative “Vital Signs Project” at Oceanside Urgent Care (Nanaimo Hospital Foundation). Vividly by Kate Bridger and Jack Duckworth will be at the MAC starting Sept. 6 Bridger has worked with fabric to create landscapes, wildlife, house portraits, old cars, household objects and abstracts for more than three decades. "As the title suggests, this is a collection of vividly bright and colourful pieces featuring both two dimensional and three dimensional work. Most of my triggers come from the environment I am fortunate to enjoy every day," Bridger said in her artist statement. "I confess I am allergic to wishy-washy beiges and whites, so my work leans towards bold colours and crisp graphics." Recently Bridger has branched out and is creating mixed media collages and 3D fabric clad work — inspired, as always, by the landscapes she lives in or visits as well as by the extraordinary that lurks within the ordinary. She has lived in Canada for most of her life beginning in Ontario and slowly making her way westward. "Art is what fills my days, gives me purpose and keeps me curious. I am always delighted to share my work with others," she said. Duckworth's interest in and talent for art emerged naturally in his youth and began to mature through the exceptional giftedness of my senior high school art teacher. By his mid-twenties, he was painting and showing his art in and around his hometown. However, post-secondary studies, vocation and family life created an extended hiatus from painting. After serving for over 25 years in pastoral and campus Christian missions on Vancouver Island and Winnipeg and teaching practical theology modules overseas in Europe, the Caribbean, and, more recently (by Zoom), in the Philippines, his artistic interests were rekindled. "I delight in the colours and rhythms inherent in West Coast landscapes, seascapes, old village scenes, and scenes from my travels in Canada and overseas," Duckworth said. "Each piece I create brings new delight. Experimenting with colours and content permits me the freedom to 'flow' with the work. I approach my current artists’ vocation simply: I paint because I enjoy it." Now living in Nanaimo with his wife close to his family, Duckworth is establishing himself as an artist and enjoys showing his work in galleries and coffee shops around the Island. Both exhibitions will be at the MAC (133 McMillan St.) until Sept. 28.
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