The WAVE Interlake Artists Studio Tour is Manitoba's annual Art experience.
The WAVE is about sharing creativity with the community. Eighteen artists in 2023 are looking forward to connecting with old friends and new.
New work hangs from the back of the cottage at our stop on the tour…and sometimes on the side walls too. This year we are joined by CJ TENNANT and her colourful gemstone jewellery.
“Emerald City,” will be joining in the community fun. She spent a period of time at Pulse gallery at at The Forks this spring. Meet her at the WAVE this June.
WHAT IS THE WAVE?
The WAVE is an opportunity to connect with Art and the makers. It is Manitoba’s longest running Art road trip, now in it’s 22nd year. The WAVE Interlake Artists Studio Tour is free and family friendly. This year 18 Artists studios are opening up to inspire you on your art journey.
Check the new WAVE APP… If I can download it you can too, or go to the WAVE website, www.watchthewave.ca to select your route. If you prefer to hold a physical printed brochure in your hand you can pick one up at all artist studios along the way .
Above: Cj tennant work in progress being overseen by my painting “Blue Gums”. The friendly collaboration continues this Season on the WAVE Tour. Cj Tennant will be joining us onsite in Ponemah.
DOING THE WAVE…
With all that information at your finger tips ‘doing the WAVE” is a simple matter of gathering your friends and family and preparing to have some creative fun.
Deciding where to start and what you want to see might be your biggest challenge of the day. There is a lot to see and experience but make sure to stop by Melville Lane in Ponemah for double the colour fun. with Cj and I sharing our wares meeting your curiosity in our happy place.
Ask your Artist hosts for their local take on nearby restaurants and picnic stops for lunch or afternoon tea.
“Square Prairie; Chorus Line” is fresh off the paint wall. 20’ x 20”, painted in acrylic on canvas. Meet her in June
WHEN DOES THE WAVE TAKE PLACE?
The WAVE rolls during the third weekend in June each year. This year in 2023 that happens to be June 10th and 11th. Studios are open daily 10 am-6pm.
The second WAVE gets going on the September long weekend. In 2023, September 2nd and 3rd.
studios are open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm daily.
All venues offer an immersive experience where you get to meet the makers in their creative spaces and experience first hand where all the creative magic happens.
I love the creative ways our visitors travel to come and visit us.
HOW TO WAVE?
Design your journey according to interests. Nominate a driver.
Follow along with a brochure, the Website www.watchthewave.ca, or download the new WAVE app for mobile accessibility and get ready for a fun weekend road trip.
Watch for the distinctive Blue and White signs along Highway 8 and 9 as you drive north of the City or South from the Arborg area.
Above. “Square Prairie: Repose” 18” x 18” acrylic on canvas, 2023
FROM THE SOUTH…
You might like to travel North of Winnipeg on Highway 8 where your first choice is whether to turn right or left. Turn left and you will find Alan Lacovetsky’s Ceramics Studio. It is a sprawling wonderland fitted out with wood burning kilns and fired pottery, platters, lidded boxes, vessels and all the studio accompaniments. You might even find a cat or two as you enjoy this property.
Above: the “Graces” at their earliest stages are still in progress. They may or may not be on view during the June WAVE. There will however, be an opportunity for you to participate on an ART START, weather permitting.
Turn right…
off Highway 8 in St Andrews and you will discover the hard working Cloverdale Forge. Here Blacksmiths, Matt Jenkins and Karen Rudolf have a combined 40 years of experience and many irons in the fire. They also have many stories to share about a travelling exhibition, a micro farming initiative. and wrought iron commissions.
You can see Matt’s work in person on my deck in Ponemah.
FROM THE NORTH…
If you are starting at the Northern end of the Tour you might be grabbing a coffee and a treat at the renowned Arborg Bakery to begin. There is no judgement here.
Jerry Maryniuk, a former forensic police artist shares his comic illustrations and New WAVE artist, painter Georgina Ball, make the journey well worth your time and attention.
“Fairmont Suite”: Poppies 3”. Looks can be deceiving. This girl packs a hearty punch measuring in at 48’ x 48’. She is painted in Acrylic on Panel and shares billing with a pair of sisters. This trio were together more than my small space could handle. They had me literally painting myself into corners at the studio.
WHO:
Along with the Northern and Southern lights , introduced above, that bookend our Studio tour, there are 16 other stops along the way through the Village of Dunnottar, Winnipeg Beach, Sandy Hook, Gimli and places in between.
Take in one or all of the open studios as you explore Manitoba's Prairie in bloom. Stop for lunch in local towns along the way, take a dip in the lake, walk a beach or pose for a selfie on a pier. Ask your Artist host for their recommendations, suggestions and local tips.
We are grateful to our WAVE visitors who enrich our experience of community every season. These two BFF’s are modelling the scale of the Mandart Fuzzy Blankets, and my book “Wisdom at the Crossroads”.
The Interlake Artists community is a hard working group of creatives passionate about where they are and what they do. They have made Manitoba’s WAVE into the longest running Art Tour of its kind in the province.
Each year we look forward to sharing our journey in art. We also love to catch up with all the events and stories that have evolved in your lives between WAVE events.
The three C’s: community, creativity and connection are a definite driving force that motivates me to continue to roll with the WAVE.
Above, Last minute preparation for The WAVE often last late into the night ahead of the first day at our venue.
The bunkie as we like to call our overflow accommodation and Creative venue is also called into action as my summer studio. That little deck out front is a favourite breakfast spot. It is sunny yet sheltered and from that little vantage point I have communed with hummingbirds as they peer into the window to see what’s blooming on the paint wall.
We also have resident chipmunks living in the adjacent woodpile and a sunny bird bath in view. Together with the Eagles that make our front tree a morning stop on their travels, they provide hours of entertainment. Keep an eye out for them when you visit our venue.
A new diptych is ready for the WAVE. She is 18” x 24’ but as yet is still waiting for an official title.
The right hand side is similarly unnamed. Meet her on or in the Bunkhouse in June.
Whatever the weather…
The WAVE goes ahead whatever the weather. My husband, recent winner of employee of the month, is an excellent WAVE assistant. He annually makes rain coats for all the outdoor paintings…just in case of inclement weather. They have come in handy in the past but we are hopefull we will not have a need for them this coming WAVE weekend.
“In life and in art the journey is the destination”
More new work will be on display. “Fairmont Suite; Poppies 1” will be among the offerings on the exterior. Scale is best appreciated in person. This big girl is 48’ x 48’, acrylic on panel.
Mandart North Studio, June 10 and 11, 10-6pm daily..
Like I said scale is hard to distinguish online. This “Field Study” of the Square Prairie Series measures up at a comparatively small 20’ x 20”, acrylic on Canvas, also newly minted in 2023.
FINAL REMINDER…
The WAVE Interlake Artists’ Studio Tour gets rolling,
June 10th and 11th
and September long weekend.
Saturday and Sunday 10-6 daily
Join us Mandart North Studio, June 10 and 11, 10-6pm daily for some creative fun along the road less travelled. The WAVE rolls rain or shine in June and September annually. www.watchthewave.ca for online details, updates and maps.
Beyond the 18 artists Studio’s opening to WAVE enthusiasts this season there is so much to see and do along the way. i am in Ponemah so our iconic piers are a crowd favourite for swimmers and non swimmers alike. Piers are up from the July long weekend and begin their annual fall retreat after September long weekend.
Don’t forget to add your name in to the draw for $100 of spending money to be cashed in by the winner at your chosen WAVE studio. We look forward to seeing you on the tour.
travel safely, all best,
Amanda