There’s an excitement buzzing through Harcourt House, an artist run centre and art gallery. It’s the opening night of Jesse Sherburne’s A Record of Events — but there’s no work for the visitors to see and confused stares are appearing on more and more faces. Little do they know, this very moment — the reactions from the crowd to their surroundings — is part of the show.
When A Record of Events was performed and exhibited in August of 2014, it was one of Harcourt House’s most popular exhibits. It helped make the public aware of the anxiety artists can feel when putting together an exhibition and it used the public’s reaction to the opening night as an inspiration to create new art for a second part of this exhibit.
A bastion of the local arts scene, Harcourt House is home to affordable artists’ studios exhibits and workshops. To channel you inner da Vinci or Michelangelo, get experience drawing and sculpting figures by observing, live models. Harcourt House hosts uninstructed live model sessions that are available on a drop-in basis, or a block of eight sessions. Classes are held in the Annex building beside the gallery
This centre recognizes both the stereotype of starving artists and their essential role in the community. That’s why this non-profit organization set out to support local visual artists (and their engaged followers) with affordable studio space, regular exhibitions and further educational opportunities. Gather with like-minded individuals in this inspiring space.
Harcourt House is home to two art displays. Connect the Dots, by various artists features new works by members of Harcourt House. In the Annex Building, the 24th Annual Naked Show, featuring various artists, will take place. It looks at the figurative works made in the centre’s drop in drawing and sculpture classes. Both are on display Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. (closed Canada Day and July 2).