Helen Utsal

Special to The Record

It鈥檚 been happening all around you; sounds of sanding and splashing in studios everywhere. You may even know someone!

Artists up and down the Island, on the mainland, in Alberta, and Ontario, have been busy making pictures in various mediums to fit the parameters of Art Alchemy鈥檚 Square Foot Show coming this weekend.

We will have artwork from local talents and new arrivals to the Valley, artists from Powell River, Qualicum Beach, Canmore, Calgary and more. After almost 10 years of doing the show, the word is spreading and it is such a treat for all!

Art Alchemy Studio in Courtenay was founded in 2011 by five artists wishing to have proper studio space and create a place for cross-pollination of inspiration and experiences. It has seen many fine artists over the years pass through the doors and up the unreasonably long set of stairs. The second year of the Square Foot Show took place at Art Alchemy Studio in 2011, and it has continued to be a happily anticipated annual event for the artists as well as the community.

This Friday, Nov. 22, the doors open at 7 p.m. for the opening night party.

The show runs all weekend, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

As people find a painting they want to buy, they take it right off the wall and to the salesroom. As openings appear in the grid, the display shifts and new things catch your eye.

All of the artwork is the same size and the same price ($225) made by almost 60 different artists. This is a special price and many of the artists sell their 12鈥漻12鈥� panels for much more, so it is a wonderful opportunity to expand your art collection without breaking the bank. Because the show happens every year, it鈥檚 a nice way to slowly build a collection that looks good together (all the same size) and you can fit anywhere!

There will be a cash bar and appies as well as a draw to win a free painting or one of two gift certificates for Art Alchemy. The Square Foot Show is generously sponsored by local art lovers Susan Carson and Rick Morson who personally donate to the exhibition annually. Rick and Susan are investment managers at CIBC Wood Gundy.

This year Art Alchemy Studio branched out. Art Alchemy East opened this summer in Leaside. Ten paintings by the artists from our 鈥榮ister studio鈥� in Toronto will be part of the Square Foot Show this year.

Come out to support the creative people that bring colour to your life.

Here is a list of the artists participating in this year鈥檚 show:

Kara Barkved

Samantha Bishop

Nancy Burger

Connie Charnell

Gail Clements

Maureen Coltman

Angela Dawn

Brad Dalzell

Jean Delaney

Marianne Enhorning

Lynn Farwell

Randy and Casey Fox

Ian Fry

Laura Jayne Furnace

Fran Goldberg

Mary Gorman

Lois Goodnough

Cherie Hart

Mindy Harper

Mary Harvey

Lisa Hickey

Martha Jablonski Jones

Karen Jeffrey

Rob Kerr

Josh Klassen

Shea Kotilla

Sharon LaLonde

Brian Latta

Laurie Martz

Cindy Mawle

Trish Malcolmness

Wendy Mayers

Marsha McKinnon

Larissa McLean

Sandy McMullen

Roberta Meilleur

Brittany Meunier

Gail Neuls

Kira Neumann

Christina Nilsson

Michelle Nyberg

Brenda Olinek

Jo Payne

Marilyn Peeters

Christine Riggs

Amanda Ritchie

Katherine Riggs

Angelika Saunders

Lucy Schappy

Wendy Smith

Katherine Stickley

Martha Scouras

Sofie Skapski

Kate Taylor

Helen Utsal

Madeliene Wood

Nicolette Valikoski

Maggie Ziegler

Jason Zunio

Art Alchemy Studio is located at 362-C 10th Street in Courtenay. Upstairs. Sorry, no wheelchair access.

See website for more info at or call Helen at 250-218-2742