Local artists host city-wide studio tour

BY JASON THOMPSON

Greater Sudbury's artistic community is extending an invitation to take part in the 2006 Artist Studio Tour and check out some of the works being created by 52 local artists.

In preparation for the tour, there's a reception being held Saturday Sept. 16 at Black Cat Too on Durham St. from 12 to 4 pm. Here people can preview  some of the art, meet a few of the artists and pick up a tour guide to plan for the studio tour, which runs Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Ann Suzuki, chair of the studio tour and one of the participating artists, said the tour is important to the Sudbury arts community because it helps the public put a face to the art.

"It allows people to meet the artist, recognize the artist, see the environment the artist works in. With the information in the tour guide, people can return to the studios anytime during the year," said Suzuki. "Bringing them together for just a weekend opens the door to a better relationship between the artists and the community.

One of the new faces on the tour this year is Bill Whittaker, a retired Inco employee who worked in the copper smelter for 31 years. Whittaker does wood carvings of ducks, originally used as decoys on hunting trips, and paintings of mother nature.

"I'm just looking forward to the tour," said Whittaker, whose art will be on display along with eight fellow artists at the Fielding Memorial Park pavilion during the tour.

"I'm anxious to see how it works out and meet a lot of the other artists and people who appreciate the art. Usually I just show out of my home but this year I'll try it with the studio tour."

In 1986, Whittaker was commissioned by the city to carve a duck for Queen Elizabeth II, which was presented to her at a ribbon cutting ceremony that marked the grand opening of Science North.  

Whittaker was also commissioned by Ducks Unlimited to carve 50 ducks that were auctioned at banquets across Canada and the United States.

Keep an eye out for stuidio tour guides at stores and restaurants throughout the city or drop by Black Cat Too to pick one up. For more information on the studio tour, visit www.scarf.ca.