Women in the Spotlight

&A Q

with Danielle White of Tall Pines

Danielle White, the artist behind Tall Pines PEI, lives— as she puts it—“on the south shore of the ridiculously gorgeous Prince Edward Island and makes stuff pretty much every day.”

Q. How did you get started as an artist?

I started drawing and painting at age 12, after winning a regional art competition. It turned into my “thing” pretty quickly and I did it every day for years and years. After high school, I worked full-time (which annihilated my spare time) but eventually got back into it when I went to college for Interior Design. I spent 15 years working in architecture, so drawing was a daily way of life. I retired from that industry in 2019 and I’ve dedicated my time to drawing, painting and designing my own products since then.

Q. How long have you been living the Island life?

I moved to PEI in 2006 after my first trip to the east coast and I haven’t looked back. This is my favourite place in the world.

Q. What medium(s) do you work with? Besides painting what other products do you create?

I mainly paint in oils and watercolours and I also draw (pen/ink/graphite on paper), but I also create functional and/ or design-related items using my laser cutter. I also own a spinning wheel and a loom so I weave handspun wool scarves when I want a change. And I sew functional pieces like cotton rope bowls. I also garden extensively and teach workshops on a variety of topics. Q. What is your favourite subject to paint?

My first love is portraits, but I create those mainly for my own personal enjoyment. I’ve begun painting landscapes of PEI for the simple reason that this place is so incredibly beautiful and unique and I feel it needs to be celebrated for that. Landscapes lend themselves well to artistic license and evoke really strong, positive emotions in people. I enjoy facilitating that.

Q. What inspires you the most?

The natural world. Nature is so incredibly complex and yet simple, all at once.

Q. How long have you been a full-time artist?

I was self-employed for a short period in 2014, but this latest iteration of my career started in 2019.

Q. Where can someone find your paintings, etc?

My work is available at The PEI Fox Den, in Bedeque and at Oh Hey!, Founders Hall (and soon in Rustico). I have a website at www.tallpines. ca but I share my work regularly on Instagram and TikTok (@dwpei), too. My Facebook presence is limited, but I also have a company page there: Tall Pines PEI

www.tallpines.ca

Summer Festival at The Guild Promises to Delight and Inspire

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos Courtesy of The Guild

“This summer, I am so excited to welcome all of our friends, artists, sponsors, stakeholders, and the greater Island community to this building. The Guild shares this space with each and every one of you.”

- Alanna Jankov ( she/her) CEO of The Guild There are those that prefer the oldfashioned way of stories being told right before their eyes on stage; it allows them to almost become a part of the story in a way that simply watching passively on a screen does not. If only for a short time, they’re enveloped into the lives and stories of the characters on stage. There’s nothing quite like it.

If you happen to be one of those people, The Guild’s Summer Festival promises an entire season of shows that will sweep you up and take you away, giving you the chance to immerse yourself into the stories on stage.

Announced in April by The Guild’s new artistic director, Geordie Brown, the upcoming season promises a mix of performances that will inspire audiences of all ages.

“This summer, I am so excited to welcome all of our friends, artists, sponsors, stakeholders, and the greater

(top-bottom) Alanna Jankov, CEO; Geordie Brown, Artistic Director of Summer Festival, Alanna Jankov (Photo: Sara Bakker), Singalong Jubilee (Photo by Patricia Bourque, Costume Design by Michelle Bohn)

Island community to this building,” says Alanna Jankov, CEO of The Guild. “The Guild shares this space with each and every one of you.”

Brown can’t wait to see these stories come to life before audiences’ eyes. “Over the years, I have seen The Guild grow and flourish under the leadership of Alanna Jankov as she unwaveringly opens the doors to the community. The Guild is truly a place where community happens, and it is my distinct privilege to have the opportunity to uphold that legacy.”

The 2021 Guild Mainstage Series will kick off June 25-July 23 with Pleasureville, a new Canadian comedy that explores sex, identity, inclusion and friendship.

“It asks the question, “Does every small town need a sex shop?,” all while encouraging us all to check our own blind spots in our journey to be more inclusive,” explains Brown, who says Pleasureville is a “gem” of a show. The play stars Brieonna Locche, Steph Hood, and Canadian theatre legend Charlotte Moore. Returning for an encore is The Guild’s original 2019 production of Singalong Jubilee - A Musical Tribute.

Paying homage to the smash hit television program of the 60s and 70s, the show is brimming with folk, country and pop music, including beloved anthems such as “Farewell to Nova Scotia.” This show will run July 9 to Aug. 10.

And finally, the all-new Tapestry: A Tribute to Carole King, July 29-August 14, will take audiences back to the unforgettable hits of one of the most prolific female musicians in the history of pop music, including “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” and “So Far Away.”

▲ The Guild staff

Running in conjunction with the Mainstage Series is the theatre’s Celebration Series, which will celebrate local talent in special limited engagements and one-night performances. Celebration artists include Alicia Toner, Ava & Lily Rashed, Noah Malcolm, Shane Pendergast, Vince the Messenger, the Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors, and the Popalopalots.

Message from Artistic Director of Children’s Programming at The Guild: “My name is Lori Linkletter, my pronouns are she/her, and I am the Artistic Director of Children’s Programming at The Guild. The Guild Music Theatre School has a student body of over 400 young artists, and offers a variety of performance-based opportunities. I am beyond excited at how this program has grown and thrived. It’s wonderful to be able to provide a safe encouraging space for our students. In addition to our musical productions of Disney’s Aladdin Jr., Disney’s Beauty & the Beast Jr., and our all-new Kids’ Ceilidh, the school is also happy to be partnering with the Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors who will be offering educational interactive performances for our students right here on our stage. These sessions will also be open to the public. All are welcome. Free of charge.”

As the world slowly returns to its new normal, it’s not lost on Brown how fortunate the community as a whole is. “We here on Prince Edward Island are very fortunate to be able to present a summer festival full of live performances,” he says.

Your summer escape awaits; what are you waiting for? Visit www.theguildpei. com for more information.

The Guild 111 Queen St, Charlottetown 902.620.3333 www.theguildpei.com