Happy HOwllllllllloweeN!

Well today's a very special day, for it is Halloween! The streets are filled with children and adults alike celebrating this playful day in full costume and their tummies are filled to the brim with candy! We have decked out our windows with spooky and festive art too....and these hand-embroidered works by Yoko White. are making people do a double take.

Have a HEART!

  Oh if only we had a BRAIN!

BOO! 

 

City Harvest - Back to the Future Sketch Covers

We celebrated City Harvest downtown today - which meant having a bit of fun at the gallery.

We had Kim Danio on hand, who was the artist behind our Sole of the City Nocturne display. Kim as here with a plethora (a flock? a pack?) of her shoe critters, showing us how she goes from shoe to work of art.

Artist Craig Baltzer was also here doing a painting demo. Craig's work was featured with Kim's downstairs at Nocturne. He also managed to whip up a Back to the Future sketch cover, as seen below:

Sketch Cover by Craig Baltzer

Caitlin McGuire, who you can find behind the counter at the gallery when she's not painting in her studio, also created a sketch cover:

Sketch Cover by Caitlin McGuire

Both Covers with the very limited BACK TO THE FUTURE comic inside are NOW for Sale- They are $65 each. There will never be other ones like it....we hope some lucky folks take the plunge and get in touch with us at gallery@argylefa.com  and call 902-425-9456 for purchase. Christmas is coming...or so we are told! (eeeck)

Art inspired by Pop Culture: Back to the Future Day Success

To quote Marty McFly; a main character from the "Back to the Future" movie  trilogies- "That was heavy"- meaning that was unbelievable and amazing!  Yesterday was October 21st, 2015 otherwise known as Back to the Future Day and we had a wonderful day with artwork created by local artists inspired by the movie to celebrate it's 30th anniversary annnnnnnnnnnnd we also had a Delorean that just so happened to look like the famous Time Travel Machine that travels through decades in the 1980's classic. What a happy day it was...people that had never been in our gallery dropped in. Everyone had smiles on their faces and for even just a few moments, art took them on a journey away from their daily routines.

You can see the entire show online here... SHOW ONLINE HERE!
Of course we encourage you to come and see the show in person too! Many of the works represented online are available as prints or originals too!

Here are some of our favourite pictures from yesterday, that really sum up the over all moods of the day.

Here's to the FUTURE!  Things are looking brighter and brighter each day!

photo contributed by rich aucoin

Original hand-lettered work by Kristen De Palma

The Delorean arrived just before lunch...already started to draw a crowd...everyone was just so excited!!!

Surprise visitors from the FUTURE!  Marty McFly and Doc!

Mini Marty McFly with his Time Machine made by artist Kim Danio...from a sneaker!

All ages came out to enjoy the day and even dressed the part!

Ray guns of the...Future?

Thanks to everyone that came out yesterday, to ALL the media that visited too (we were on The National News folks!), to Trevor MacDonald (the owner of the beautiful Time Machine), to the Downtown Halifax Business Commission and to all the artists....thanks for always helping us make Halifax a more fun and happy place to live and work....and of course, play!

NA-NA-NA-NA-NOCTURNE!!

It's that time of year again! The wind is crisp and there is change in the air. That can only mean one thing... Nocturne!!

Nocturne is Halifax's annual Art at Night Festival that takes place tonight, Oct 17th, from 6pm-12am. The whole city comes alive for an evening of visual, performance, and installation art - and so much more!

Here at the gallery we have so many great things for you to see and experience!

Upstairs we have work by artist Jan Davison. Jan's bright coloured paintings feature local favourites - restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and more! Come tour the city with Jan's work!

Bearly's by Jan Davison

Downstairs you are in for a treat! Artist Kim Danio has created local institutions - out of boots and shoes! It's so impressive you really have to see it with your own two eyes! It's been likened to "the feeling you experience as a kid on Christmas morning" by those who have seen it - so prepare yourself for feelings of uncontrollable joy!

Metro Transit Ferry, Sailboat and Bridge by Kim Danio

Also downstairs are new nightscape paintings by artist Craig Baltzer. His use of warm street lights cutting through the cool night create a very apropos atmosphere for Nocturne.

Chain Lake Drive by Craig Baltzer

All work from our Nocturne show will be up until Nov 7th! Looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Don't Miss Back to the Future Day - October 21st, 2015

ARTISTS and EVERYONE TAKE NOTE: You'll want to take an extra long lunch break on Wednesday, October 21st, 12:30-3:30pm...it's Back to the Future Day. This is the very day in fictional history that Marty McFly and Doc Emmett Brown traveled back to the future and it's also happens to be the Downtown Business Commission's BIG DAY DOWNTOWN day- where all sorts of local businesses have special offerings! 

First of all, there will be an actual DELOREAN .... an actual honest to goodness Time Machine parked outside our gallery from 12:30-3:30pm!  Take your picture with it and use the hashtag #backtothefuturehfx and #bigdaydowntown  Great Scott! 

Secondly of all, we have an OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR ART online. Anyone and any age can contribute by easily uploading a  doodle, a painting or creation to our ONLINE ART SHOW PAGE HERE. You can upload works UNTIL OCTOBER 21st,  but if you upload a work we adore by October 18th...we may make it into a print or postcard- with your permission of course! If you are a local artist to our area, we may want to showcase your original and  display it that day and until the end of October, with our regular artist/gallery agreement! Let us know if you have anything you'd like to contribute- the more the merrier! For example, check out this amazing marionette of Marty McFly by Darren Moreash!

REMEMBER TO  HAVE FUN!  TELL FRIENDS!  It's free to upload your works from anywhere!

HERE IS THE LINK TO SUBMIT and  VIEW / VOTE! for your favourite works!

Thirdly of all,  we'll be joined by GIANT ROBOT COMICS and have a very limited edition "BACK TO THE FUTURE" comics for sale that day too!  

Fourthly finally of all,  PRIZES AND FOOD....there will be a few surprises and treats on hand....Enter to WIN some art and more!   If you show up dressed up like Marty, Doc or any of the characters...that will earn you some special treats indeed!!!!  We'll have a few props to liven up your visit too!

Pre-Shrunk 2016 Submissions Call!

Calling all artists, calling all artists! 

It’s that time of year again! We are announcing our open call for submissions for Pre-Shrunk, our much loved annual group show that asks artists to create work on a 4x5” surface. We encourage submissions from both established and emerging artists in their preferred medium.

Last year's Pre-Shrunk opening as seen from Attica.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Works must be on a 4x5” surface. Pieces that do not measure 4x5” will not be considered.
• Artists may submit a maximum of five pieces
• We ask that you do NOT attach hanging devices (ie wire, hooks, d-rings, etc). The gallery will take care of this for continuity.
• If you are working on paper it must be mounted on to a sturdy 4x5” surface that can be hung on the wall.
• Submissions must be new and not previously shown.
• Please include:
• Your name
• Phone number and email address
• Title and materials used to create the work

To apply for this year’s show please send photographs of completed work in a JPEG format to gallery@argylefa.com.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JANUARY 6^th at MIDNIGHT

If your work is selected by the jury you will be notified by phone or email the following week.

PLEASE NOTE

• Pieces that are selected for this year’s exhibition will be priced at $175 each, with standard 50% commission. Please keep this price in mind when creating your pieces.
• DeSerress and the NSCAD bookstore have kindly ordered pre-made 4x5” canvas and boards to supply artists wanting to participate in this show. Supplies are limited.

SHOW OPENS FRIDAY JANUARY 22^nd

Please phone or drop in to the gallery if you have any questions regarding the show – 902.425.9456. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

From your pals at Argyle Fine Art,

Adriana Afford and Caitlin McGuire

1559 Barrington St, Halifax , NS

902.425.9456   gallery@argylefa.ca

argylefineart.blogspot.com

Sock Monsters looking for a good home!

Adoption notice! Down here at Argyle Fine Art we're trying to find homes for a wonderful group of sock monsters! We currently have four of these cuddly monsters awaiting their forever homes. We’re so pleased to introduce you to Clifford, Bwibbles, Mr Flynn and Bertrum. All of our monsters have been de-gummy-wormed and their sugar-shots are all up to date!

Bwibbles is the shyest of the bunch, but don’t let his initial reluctance fool you – this one is a snuggler! Bwibbles loves snuggling with all kinds of critters – other sock monsters, dogs, cats, and even humans! Once you pick him up for a cuddle you won’t want to stop! Bwibbles is waiting for his forever home – is it with you?

Mr Flynn, as you can probably tell by name, is the oldest of the sock monsters – but don’t count this old boy out! With his years comes lots of wisdom and a lot of love. Mr Flynn is very protective of his sock monster pals, but he’s also a huge softie. Just look at that smile! Pick him up today and give him a snuggle - he’ll melt in your arms.

Clifford is the most serious of the group – the most serious about cuddles and snuggles that is! Clifford likes hanging out with sock monster pals, but would also be great in a monsterless forever home with the right family. If you think Clifford is the cuddler for you, come in and meet him today!

Bertrum is the youngest of our monsters. Don’t judge his disposition by this photograph, Bertrum is shy in front of the camera. In person Bertrum's energy is infectious. A happy-go-lucky monster who always looks on the bright side of things, Bertrum is certainly the peppiest of the bunch! Come in to meet Bertrum in person and have your day brightened! 

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Our happy sock monsters are made by artist Sarah Bourque out of brand-new socks that have been washed in unscented, gentle detergent.