Victoria artist Nancy Dolan works in a variety of mediums, from acrylic to collage, to metallic ink.
“[I am] very intuitive. Like, I may start with a blank canvas and just look at it for a while, and then start painting as it kinda comes through me,” says Dolan.
Dolan is just one of more than a dozen artists participating in the upcoming Fairfield Artists Studio Tour, an annual self-guided tour that provides art-lovers with the opportunity to meet local artists, visit their studios and view their work, all while exploring the Fairfield, Rockland and Gonzales neighbourhoods.
“It’s just the most wonderful event we can have for our community,” says Dolan. “Visitors get to see art studios and artists, how they work, where they work, what their process is, and it’s such a personal touch.”
The Fairfield Artists Studio Tour has been around for 18 years. Normally, the tour takes place in May, but because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, that didn’t happen.
“We had everything set for May, which is the month we usually have the tour, and we had to cancel of course, because of COVID,” says fellow artist Louise Monfette. “So many things have been closed down this year, they just haven’t happened. The Moss Street Paint-In hasn’t happened, Sidney Fine Arts show isn’t happening, and other shows have gone online.”
So, instead of cancelling the event for good this year or going online, the Fairfield Artists Studio Tour will be held in-person on Sept. 12 and 13. It will also take place outdoors this year, in order to keep in line with the province’s pandemic guidelines.
Monfette says art is best enjoyed in person anyway.
“I just think it’s hard to fall in love with a piece of art when it’s online, rather than when you can physically, you know, see it and touch it,” says Monfette, who is participating in the tour by placing her artwork in her backyard instead of inside her studio, as she’s done in years past.
A total of 22 artists are expected to participate in this year’s tour, with many finding creative ways to remain in the tour.
“Other people are doing it on their front lawns, or on the boulevard, in their garages, in their driveways – any combination of being outside,” says Monfette.
“I’ll be out front of my home, under a tent,” says Dolan, who hopes to greet many people, from a social distance of course. “We’re overcoming the challenges we’ve had all spring and summer, because the community needs to have art, and see art, and buy art. It’s so enriching for people’s lives, so we’re very happy to be able to do this, and maybe make someone smile.”
The Fairfield Artists Studio Tour is a free event for the community that runs from Sept. 12-13. For more information, visit www.fairfieldartistsstudiotour.com.
Veronica Cooper
