by Laura Peck

2024 Apples & Art Studio Your, 33^rd edition

Why did you participate? François Desjardins asked me during the last coffee house. 

Three reasons.

1-    January 2024: To honour a neighbour, a friend and unsung artist: Edwin Schmidts

2-    April 2024: To showcase my stamp work and why not, my first book — if I could finish it

3-    June 2024: To promote Laura’s B&B

January 7th, our 95 year-old friend moved to a senior home and gifted us with eight boxes of his carving. Our home has a long hallway almost meant for that. We spent two days re-arranging the ground floor, cleaning and hanging 60 pieces of wood. Thirty years of passion for wood and for carving was worth sharing. Edwin liked the idea of the studio tour, yet wisely told us, “I’ll see how I feel.” He passed away in February.

April 20^th & 21st: the BIG SHOW at Community Living. I realized I had made lots of stamp boards with the old and odd stamps I inherited from Edwin’s wife. But I found my pieces were plain and boring. I asked my daughter for suggestions. She said, “Break free of the stamps. Play with them” … So I did.

June 1^st: the tourism business is not as busy as last year. Laura’s B&B could use a bit of PR. 

September, 28^th and 29^th arrive fast. The signs are out. Who will show up? Will they purchase my book? – yes, it’s out – or art work? Did I bake enough apple muffins? 

I’m grateful to Collectif members who helped me in one way or another. It looks like they enjoyed their time at Riverview farm too. The weather is gorgeous. The flow of visitors starts around 11:00 AM and does not stop. They’re in awe when they behold Edwin’s gallery. 

Outcomes: 69 visitors – including 8 or 9 children. I sold 8 books, and 4 cards. Oh, and yes, there were enough muffins. 

One thing to improve on? Certainly. We are a wheelchair friendly place, yet I realized the signage and the art were a bit too high. Next year?

We love having first-hand reports of new artistic experiences. Share yours! Send images & text to cagac.ca@gmail.com Please put Collectif Creativity in the subject line.