What: Relaunch Party
Where: Expressions
When: Friday, June 25, 6-9 p.m.
Expressions, the paint-your-own-ceramics shop located near Marketplace on the Village Stroll, will officially reopen this coming Friday, June 25 as a studio and gallery.
The new concept is the vision of owner Ivana Ilic, an employee of the former Expressions who bought the business this past February.
"I wanted a gathering place for artists," said Ilic, fondly scratching the curly head of Expressions’ official mascot, a gentle-giant, teddy bear-like Bouvier de Flandres named Hobbes.
Since taking over, Ilic has reconstructed the front part of the shop as a gallery showcasing local and Vancouver artists.
Currently on display are ceramics by Vincent Massey, Borgi Rayen, and Suzy Birstein, glass by Jeff Brunette and Jeremy Morris, fibre art by Jen McLeod and wood creations by Bruce Campbell.
The rest of the space has been arranged as an art studio, complete with pottery wheel.
Ilic said her intention is to host artist demonstrations and workshops on a monthly basis in a variety of media such as glass fusing, jewelry making, clay sculpting, painting and drawing.
Ilic will still be offering paint-your-own ceramics, but instead of being the shop’s raison d’être, the activity is now merely one element of Expressions.
The studio/gallery celebrates its official reopening at an in-store party next Friday, June 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring artist demonstrations by Massey, painter Lyle MacDonald and soapstone carver Mike Taylor, bodypainting by Cary Lopes and a silent auction. The event is open to the public. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Whistler Arts Council’s Children’s Art Festival, which recently celebrated its 22 nd anniversary.
For more information 604-932-2822.
