Forget braving the cold; the Old School House Arts Centre is turning its Open House this Saturday into an indoor art walk.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” said TOSH executive director Corinne James.
The art centre has held both Open Houses and art walks in the past, but this is the first time they’ve combined the two. James thought up the idea with one of TOSH’s resident stone sculptors, Mike Rebar.
“It’s going to be a good time,” he said.
“It’s much easier to do it here,” agreed Ian Howie, another of the centre’s stone sculptors.
Visitors will be able to view the work of over 200 artists throughout TOSH’s three galleries and seven studios. Around 150 Island artists are represented in the gift shop alone.
There will also be ten local guest artists in the classroom offering an array of unique artwork.
Many of TOSH’s 25 resident artists will be in their studios during the event, working and waiting to talk with visitors. “That really makes it special,” said Rebar of that interaction.
There will be a wide variety of media on display, including jewellery, quilting, weaving, painting, forging, glass-fusing and wood turning. The space will also be decorated with wreaths, table centres and trees created by the Mid Island Floral Art Club. These will be auctioned off during the Open House to raise funds for the food bank, the Salvation Army and other organizations.
To get people in the festive mood, there will be free hot chocolate at an indoor café with Ron Hadley playing seasonal music on the piano.
To join in on the fun, visit TOSH on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.