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Crofton Art Group’s wonderful work hangs over the town

There may not be any public shows, but banners maintain artists’ presence
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Sue Bosecker, left, and Beckie Hutchinson with art featured on banners. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Crofton Art Group members are used to having more of a public presence, but at least their art is still hanging over the heads of Crofton residents.

Those wonderful banners installed after the club’s 65th anniversary in 2019 have looked especially bright along the expanse of Joan Avenue during the recent stretch of fabulous weather to help alleviate some of the gloom from COVID-19.

Related story: Crofton Art Group celebrating its landmark 65th anniversary

This is normally the time when club members would be diligently preparing for the annual spring show and sale on the Mother’s Day weekend, but that’s not going to happen again this year.

“It’s been rough on us,” conceded group member Sue Bosecker.

Club members also usually meet once a week from September through June and are missing the camaraderie that goes along with it as well as planned lessons and workshops. Zoom communication has at least allowed the group to stay in touch.

Besides the banners, public awareness is enhanced through the new SPAN shop in Crofton, operated by Tanya Schneider and Juaning Higgins, that carries some of the artists’ work.

“We have our paintings in most of the lodges – Sunridge, Cerwydden, Lodge on Fourth,” added Bosecker. “During the pandemic, we haven’t been able to change them out.”

Club member Jim Malo has just opened a portion of his residence for business, known as the Tool Shed.

Enterprising members are staying active by continuing to paint and most will have quite a stock of new pieces to showcase by the time public gatherings return.

“It keeps me going,” said Beckie Hutchinson.

In the meantime, those banners are a constant reminder of the great work of the group and a fine way to enhance the town image.

“They’re heavier weight vinyl and U.V. protected,” noted Bosecker.

They still look good after two years in the elements. Frames on street poles initially stood empty for about a year after the Crofton revitalization, but the artists’ work provided an immediate solution.

“The fire department helped put them up,” said Bosecker.

“As soon as we put them up, there were comments like ‘Crofton’s just grown up.’”

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Crofton banners with art by Beckie Hutchinson and Sue Bosecker. And, yes, eagle eye observers, Hutchinson’s first name is spelled wrong on the banners. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Banner art by Merrily Allanson and Mary Oscar. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Banner art by Kelly Dolan and Mary Oscar. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Banner art by Karen Devlin and Diana Binks. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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