Birthdays provide pause for reflection as well as an opportunity for celebration. This year the Haliburton County Studio Tour is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Amongst municipal and national 150th celebrations there is a great opportunity for pause and reflection. Tom Green Shelley van Nood and Jane Selbie are three Haliburton County Studio Tour artists who have spent time producing works that reveal their considerations of being makers in this county and country.
Tom Green owns Glass Eagle’s Studios and is a stained glass and glass blowing artist. This is Tom’s 15th year on the Haliburton County Studio Tour and in keeping with the 150th anniversary theme the piece he created is titled Algonquin Shores and is based on Tom Thomson and Algonquin Park. The canoe reminds us of how we used to travel in this country 150 years ago. Tom has created multiple canoe pieces this year to celebrate Canada’s birthday.
Shelley van Nood was born and raised in Haliburton County and recognizes the privilege of growing up with the beauty of nature all around her. “Oh Canada” quilt depicts some of the many birds and animals we are fortunate to have in our area. The changing of the seasons is a wonderful part of Haliburton County and Shelley has portrayed this by depicting the same tree in all four seasons: a sap bucket for spring; bountiful green foliage for summer; magnificent red leaves for fall; and snow laden branches for winter. In addition to animals and seasons there are patches that showcase the maple leaf inukshuk and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The quilt is constructed with both hand tie and machine quilting methods which honour the past and the present art form of quilting.
Jane Selbie also works with fabric. Jane has challenged herself to make 150 works that feature a range of Canadian scenes. Her resolve to do this comes from an intensely souful appreciation of being a maker in this beautiful place. Layers of fabric are carefully selected and composed to reveal her subject matter; the title of this piece is Solitary Vigil. The heron is noted with characteristics parallel to Canadians: self-reliant; self-determining; balanced; focused; plays the role of the harbinger of peace.
The Haliburton County Studio Tour artists are busily working away in their studios with of course the occasional break for pause and reflection. They encourage you to join them in considering what it means to be part of this county and country. They invite you to come and share your thoughts at this year’s tour on Sept. 30 Oct. 1 7 and 8.
Submitted