It started with a single summer art show last August, and a followup in November.
Now watercolourist/mixed-media artist/event creator Sussanne Hoiberg’s brain child, the Vendel Festival, is in its third edition – with more to come.
The next show is this Saturday (April 11) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Crescent Beach’s Beecher Place.
“I like to have a theme statement for each of the shows, and this one is ‘where art is created with joy,’” Hoiberg told Peace Arch News.
Demonstrating the theme in a diversity of media will be Hoiberg herself and guest artists Wendy Mould (graphite and watercolour); David Boughton (pen and wash landscapes); Wendy Burge (watercolour and mixed media); Rachel Legare (acrylic and encaustic wax art); June Bloye (hand-made jewelry); Linda Casano (acrylic/photo art and mixed media); Don Francis (metal sculpture and photography).
With a mix of nature, wildlife, floral, people, seascape and architectural studies, it’s work that – as Hoiberg proclaims in her handout – is “joyful, blissful, mystical, magical, soulful, sensual art.”
Adding to the feast for the senses, the event will also feature wine tasting and chocolate pairing, with handmade confections by Ladner Artisan Chocolates and Bite Me Desserts, and live entertainment by acoustic guitarist Ernie Day.
Live music has been an important part of each show, Hoiberg said.
“It’s all part of the artistic feel and it gets people in the mood to view and buy art,” she said. “When you’re listening to music and walking through an art show, particularly in a beautiful setting, you’re more open to the art – It’s almost like you’re dancing through a dream. And, hopefully, people are going to say ‘I could just see that piece of art hanging in my living room.’”
One of the reasons for creating the festival shows, Hoiberg said, is to create an ambience geared to promoting the artists’ work – often the last thing considered by artists more typically caught up in the creative process itself.
That’s one of the reasons the artist – also a busy scenic painter in B.C.’s once-again-burgeoning movie industry – provides a marketing toolbox that offers marketing and graphic-design consultations in pre-show meetings, allowing participating artists to get to know one another.
“It’s really evolving,” she said. “And one of the really big benefits I gained, just by bringing out the first show in August, was that Surrey Art Gallery asked me if I would be interested in co-ordinating their art-rental program through the Surrey Art Gallery Association – which I’m doing with artist Joanne Dennis.
“That’s brought me in contact with a huge network of artists – and my mission with these shows is not only to get my own work out there, but to help and promote other artists.”
Hoiberg – who acknowledges she draws inspiration for her work from dreams and visions – said she decided on Crescent Beach as a venue after walking there in the midst of inconclusive negotiations for another venue.
“It felt right in my soul,” she said, noting that her event pays tribute to a family name dating back to the year 600 in her native Denmark. “The Vendel Festival is about having a beautiful scenic view to go along with artistic creation.”
Beecher Place is located at 12160 Beecher St. For information, call 604-785-5029, or email sussane@vendelarts.com