Touchwood Park artists show off work for the first time

By Casper Wehrhahn Neepawa Banner & Press

While food is likely the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Brews Brothers Bistro, people’s attention primarily lay elsewhere when visiting the Neepawa restaurant in the afternoon of Feb. 9. From 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. that day, an art gala was held featuring the works of Touchwood Park members.

All who attended had the opportunity to meet the artists and admire their work while enjoying the comfortable atmosphere and warmth of the bistro–and perhaps a late lunch.

“I love sunrises– we painted some of our own, with the colours more abstract,” said artist Dorothy Lyon, drawing attention to the works on display. “And the northern lights pieces I really enjoyed. We got to experiment with colour, apply different techniques that we learned and splatter paint.”

Everyone was invited to Brews Brothers Bistro in Neepawa on Feb. 9 to enjoy a gala evening celebrating the displaying of artwork made by Touchwood residents. The artists were available at the event for meet and greets. It was the artists’ first time displaying their work.

Pictured: Two Touchwood residents admire their work on the wall (right bulletin board) with a gala attendee.

Denoting a future piece, Lyon added, “The project we’re currently working on is a whale.”

The whale projects had been started earlier that day, with each artist breathing their own life into the paintings. Plans to finish these pieces were set for the same week as this edition of the paper.

Lyon, who has been doing art personally for 10 years, noted that it’s a little nerve wracking to have the group’s art on display.

“This is our first time showing it,” Lyon explained. “But, at the same time, it’s really cool to be able to show off our work.

Our instructor, Gerry Oliver, has been incredible.”

This gala was hosted by ArtsForward in collaboration with Brews Brothers Bistro and sponsored by Lisa Adams of Remax Valleyview Realty. Anyone who has yet to see the art can still do so, as it will be on display at Brews Brothers until the end of March. Another meet and greet is also being planned for that month, giving people in the area another chance to put faces to the art.

A calendar featuring the Touchwood artists’ works is also currently in the making, with plans to release it in the fall.

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