Bluerock Holiday Gift Ideas—Small is…Thoughtful

The Small Works Show is in full swing at the gallery. Keeping in line with our chosen theme, we’ve put together a slideshow of small gift ideas. Enjoy!

Free Gift Wrapping

We are happy to wrap your Bluerock Gallery gift purchases at no additional cost to you. Because the season is busy, we may ask you to leave your purchase with us and pick it up in an hour or so. In some instances, we may ask you to pick up your wrapped gifts the following day. Wrapping is paper only. We’ll leave it up to you to embellish and add your own personal touch.

Gift Certificates

Bluerock has gift certificates! Sometimes giving a gift certificate is the perfect gift. Our Gift certificates can be made for any amount, and do not expire.

Crows, Ravens and Other Black Things, Saturday October 23rd, 2010 5-7pm

Ravens
One for bad news,
Two for mirth.
Three is a wedding,
Four is a birth.
Five is for riches,
Six is a thief.
Seven, a journey,
Eight is for grief.
Nine is a secret,
Ten is for sorrow.
Eleven is for love,
Twelve – joy for tomorrow.
- Old English Rhyme

Join us in a visual exploration of the crows, ravens and other dark things that have captured the imaginations of local artists. Come to our opening event before the Sam Baker concert in Turner Valley (starts at 7:30 – details here)!

Featuring works by Beverly Farley, Judy Perrin, Karen Gimbel, Linda Cote, Mady Thiel-Kopstein – and some surprise new artists as well!  This show will run through November 19, 2010.

SAVE THE DATE:  November 20th “Small Works Show” opens – Artist’s Reception 5 – 7 pm.  This show will run through December 31, 2010.

Making Art: September Classes in Painting at Bluerock Gallery

Authentic Impressionism Weekend Workshop
with Janice Tanton
September 18 and 19, 2010  NOTE: this class is being rescheduled because of weather – watch for updates!
Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 5 pm, lunches included

Choose your medium – oil, acrylic, watercolor – and come prepared for an adventure in plein air painting in and around Black Diamond.  You will experience the philosophy and practice of the authentic method for French impressionist painting en plein airas it has been handed down from artist to artist.  This program is a fundamental underpinning for artists, and teaches one how to see and how to proceed through a canvas from beginning to end – no matter what your particular style, subject matter, or medium.

Saturday morning will be spent in the studio at Bluerock Gallery for demos by the instructor, then everyone will head out into the small town of Black Diamond to paint.  Sunday the plein air painting will be on location at the beautiful Diamond Willow Artisan Retreat in Turner Valley. (You could also attend a house concert and stay overnight at this wonderful Bed & Breakfast – contact them directly for details.) Each painting day will end with a critique and discussion session back at Bluerock Gallery.

Janice Tanton is an accomplished, award-winning Canadian artist working professionally for over 21 years.  (Her work is currently filling the Bluerock Gallery street window displays!)

Level: Intermediate to Advanced (Participants should have a good working knowledge in their chosen medium.)

Class Size: Maximum 8 participants

Workshop Fee: $295  ($150 deposit to hold your spot, balance due on first day of class)

Introduction to Acrylic Painting
with Mady Thiel-Kopstein
September 16, 23, 30 and October 7, 2010
Thursday evenings, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Four Thursday evenings in the painting studio at Bluerock Gallery will give you a strong foundation for working with acrylics.  Join Mady Thiel-Kopstein, an accomplished and experienced painter and teacher (and Bluerock Gallery staff), in exploring the world of painting on canvas with acrylic paints.  No previous experience necessary, simply the desire to play with color and complete a small canvas painting. Basic supplies included.

Beginning to Intermediate Level. Maximum 8 participants.  (9/16/10 NOTE: Class registration is now closed.  Watch for the next series starting soon!)

$160 for series of 4 classes.

Stampede Style, Western Style—Silver Jewelry by Shelagh Blatz

Shelagh Blatz embodies western style. Long before she picked up a hammer and started making jewelry, she was working on the family farm, shopkeeping in Western stores, and barrel racing competitively in college. After starting a family, Shelagh’s love of western culture and style culminated in her expression of the unique western silver jewelry she’s been crafting for the last seven years. Hand forged and one of a kind, all of her pieces are stamped sterling silver and the gemstones are set by hand.

“I like jewelry that’s substantial,” she says. “I never liked fiddly little clasps. I wanted to make something that wasn’t going to break.” Substantial, indeed. Shelagh’s signature clasp is made from an Indian Head / Buffalo Nickel—pure silver coins from the 1930′s. Once the necklace is on, it isn’t going anywhere.

We were struck by the attention to detail and the versatility of her designs. Each of the pendants are designed to be worn on their own, and can be easily removed from the gemstone strand to be placed on a favorite chain or cord. Beautiful and practical.

A fine selection of Shelagh’s bracelets, earrings and pendants are available at Bluerock. Drop by and see us soon!

Summer Butter: French Butter Pots & Butter Dishes at The Bluerock Gallery

The French Butter Pot

Here at The Bluerock Gallery, our team falls into two camps when it comes to butter dishes. The unabashed, enthusiastic lovers of the French butter pot—and folks who like their butter served plain and simple—on a plate or funky dish. Lucky for us, local potters have several creative and functional design options for serving and storing butter.

Butter Pots: How They Work

Butter pots are low-tech refrigerators. The pots we carry come in two pieces:

1. The “body” or “bowl,” where the (salted) water goes.
2. The lid, where you place the butter.

The pieces work together to:

• Keep the butter cool and spreadable on your table or kitchen counter without refrigeration
• Create an airtight seal that keeps the butter fresh and prevents it from going rancid
• Keep the kitchen neat and tidy!

How often should you change the water? Every one to three days is recommended.

Butter Dishes: Lots of Options

OK. So, the butter pot just isn’t for you. If you like your butter on a plate or under a protective dome, Bluerock Gallery has lots of beautiful, functional options for you. Plates, small bowls, domes—all interpreted in a unique way by each potter. Come and see for yourself.