By David F. Rooney
If you’re an artist here in Revelstoke you know just how tough it can be to get the art supplies. You either have to drive out of town to Salmon Arm, Vernon or Kelowna to purchase them or order them over the Internet or by phone. You really don’t have a choice — until now, that is.
Gwen Lips, owner of Castle Joe Books (better known to some under its old name, Secret Garden Books), is now stocking professional-grade art supplies.
“There is a real demand for these,” Lips said as she and friend and fellow artist Tina Lindegaard unpacked the first shipment of art supplies to arrive at the shop today. “Stocking art supplies is something I’ve wanted to do since I bought the store.”
Lips says she will stock acrylic paints, oil and chalk pastels, sketch books, raw, unprimed canvas, ready-to-use canvases, brushes, and other high-quality tools that visual artists need. And if she doesn’t stock a particular item, clients can go to her wholesaler’s website at www.cactusarts.com, pick out the items they need and give her the order numbers. She’ll then have them delivered to Revelstoke.
Lips also said there are two unrelated but equally exciting items of interest to local artists.
First off, Castle Joe Books will be hosting an Artist Trading Cards Night this coming Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.
“The whole idea is that you come down and make cards and trade them with other artists,” said Lindegaard. “There are only three rules: 1) they must be original; 2) they have to be 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches; and 3) you can’t sell them. You can only trade them.”
The other upcoming event for artists is an Artist’s Yard Sale to be held in conjunction with the New Moon on Revelstoke event being planned for Mackenzie Avenue next month.
“If you have an old easel or canvas or palette knives or something you can bring them down and put them in the Artist’s Yard Sale,” Lips said.
Anyone interested in getting rid of little-used or unused art supplies or equipment in good condition through this event should call Gwen Lips at 250-837-3353.
The New Moon on Revelstoke event is planned for Sept. 19 “help bolster business in the downtown core and support businesses impacted by the Mackenzie Avenue construction.” As its name suggests it will coincide with the Autumn Equinox and new moon on Sept. 19. The City has been specifically asked to participate in some capacity and to permit the closure of First Street from Boyle to Orton Avenues, Second Street from Connaught to Mackenzie Avenues and Mackenzie Avenue itself from Victoria Road to Third Street.
More specific details will be announced at a later date.
