There’s nothing like an artist residency to prepare for an art exhibit.
That was the case for Skye Skagfeld. Surrounded by water during a two-week session on Toronto Island, it provided some of the inspiration for her Body of Water, Summer Solstice Art Exhibit.
It begins next Wednesday, June 21 from noon-7 p.m. and continues Thursday, June 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, June 23 from 5 p.m. until about 9 p.m. or whenever people stop coming at Gallery Skye at St Joseph’s Artist Studios, 9735 Elm St. in Chemainus.
The residency was a great experience for Skagfeld and just a short eight-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto.
“I applied,” she explained. “You’re constantly applying for things. It was such a perfect fit.”
Skagfeld was among 13 people in the program that included spoken word and visual artists and photographers.
“This is my first one,” she added. “You’ve got to get one under your belt. I think I’ll try to find another one. I think it steps up the game and increases notoriety as an artist.”
Skagfeld continues to maintain her art studio at St. Joseph’s amid the continual threat of the building being sold. But she believes the studios will be there for the long haul after a pending sale fell through last year.
“I am optimistic in thinking that if the space is seen as a functioning arts centre there will be less likelihood of the building changing ownership and usage,” she indicated.
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Skagfeld was long known for her regular solstice and equinox exhibits that eventually came to a screeching halt over the course of COVID. She’s anxious to return with this summer solstice show in Chemainus to display some works.
“The theme is water,” Skagfeld reinforced. “It’s kind of a continuation of the residency.
“We live on an island. We have water all around us. It’s for a good cause, water. I think it’s good to think how we use our shoreline.”
Skagfeld’s stunning contemporary artwork captures the essence of the life-sustaining element. Her paintings in stylized landscape offer a profound exploration of water’s beauty, energy and significance in various contexts.
The solstice art show also goes beyond aesthetics. It draws on Skagfeld’s research on social sustainability in coastal communities, with the art shedding light on the vital role of active arts centres in rural areas to provide platforms for meaningful discussions.
Some of her showcased paintings created during the artist residency delve into the concepts of fluidity and transformation to scarcity and conservation. The collection features the evocative inspiration and awe that water evokes.
“I think it’s a really good benchmark for myself,” said Skagfeld. “I’ve got a really big inventory. A lot I haven’t shown.”
She’ll also have around 15 art cards in the show as well and dad Paul will have one of his trademark pieces included within the theme of water.
Entrance to the gallery for the exhibit will be around the right side of the building.
Skagfeld thinks it might be an idea to evolve into other essential elements like air, water and Earth for future shows.
Not only is she adept with her brush strokes, but also with her golf strokes.
Skagfeld recently had a hole-in-one on the 149-yard No. 2 hole at Eaglequest. One of her brothers and her dad were there to confirm it was legitimate.
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don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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