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By Michael Brokop

ARC Creative Studios gallery coordinator

This concludes my coverage of the ARC second annual members showcase exhibition of current works on display until the last Friday of August.  Each week articles featured two members who contributed to this year's show. This week I feature three artists – Mary Anne Baxter, Joe Campbell and myself,  Michael Brokop. 

Usually, artists provide me with an artist statement on which to base my comments for this article. But in this case I must reflect on my observations and what has been presented. 

Mary Ann is a quiet artist who focuses on the way humans relate to their environment. Her work is very immediate and then has you focus on what she is trying to communicate. Lately I have been fascinated with her works on feminism and women's white nylons.  

Joe is a young artist who uses art as an embellishment of his creativity. His work is one of the exploration of media. It is encouraging to see him work in the visual media.

Then there is myself, retired from the traditional work environment, having spent the majority of my life as a husband and father, and having worked in the educational system empowering adults to reach their potential through goal setting. Having also taught photography for the University of Saskatchewan on a part time basis for 30 years and using  my camera as a tool for artistic expression I now ventured into mask making as a new form of expression and invigoration. Here I create a shell of paper that can be worn to release a hidden personality that can look out and not be seen and can release a childish and exploratory spirit from restraint and binding morality. For the past three years I have used the local fall Marigold artist venue in North Battleford to showcase and introduce a new line of masks. This year while still continuing with the creation of masks I have returned to painting, but rather than use paint I use fabric dyes and encaustic wax on raw canvas. These large works engulf the viewer into intense colours and details that the application and release of wax on canvas can create. 

ARC Creative Studios is a collaboration of 13 artist s'working studio spaces and an art gallery space at its entrance. Located downtown North Battleford at 1102-101st Street, the location is very visible in the banking district. Joe, Mary Ann and I are joined by Juanita Aucamp, Kamila Badura, Sherron Burns, Chris Hodge, Karen Kowalski, Brenda Lamb, Jesse Navarro, Barb O'Neil, Rosemarie Stadnyk, and Joanne Rivers-Wing.  

ARC is open to the public on Fridays from noon until 4 p.m.  The gallery, on occasion, is also open when artists are working in their studio spaces and you are encouraged to knock to gain entrance during the daytime between 10 and 4 p.m.  

Looking for a new work of art to brighten up your living space or need a new coffee cup to start your day? Then venture into ARC creative studios, the place for original works of art and craft. We hope to see you soon.