Artists to capture Old Fort

Alison Bell
Published on May 16, 2008

Art holds no boundaries.

With that motto, members of the Parkway Artists' Guild will greet tourists from around the world at Old Fort Erie this weekend.

In a partnership with the Niagara Parks Commission, artists from the guild will decorate the Old Fort with a display of their work and on-site demonstrations.

With more than 100 members from across the Niagara Peninsula, the guild and the commission has developed a relationship over the past decade which has spread Canadian art across the globe, much to the delight of participating artists like Linda Stanley, who will be on-site this weekend.

"Last year I participated in 12 different art sales with the Niagara Parks Commission. I literally have art in every country of the world.

"It's really a nice experience. It's absolutely amazing when you interact with the people and learn they're from Madagascar, India, Spain, everywhere.

"It is literally amazing that Canadian art is all over the world," said Stanley, who is the chair of the guild.

The day at Old Fort Erie is an extension to the guild's Art in the Gardens shows held on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, where members gather in an inspirational place to create artwork while interacting with the public.

"Last year we started having paint-and-sells. Artists sit on the land and paint and sell their work to tourists.

"It's been really about getting Canadian art out there," said Stanley, who is based in Campden, near Jordan Station in Niagara's west end.

This year, artists will paint at Old Fort Erie, Laura Secord Homestead and McFarland House. The art displays will include original paintings, quality decorator prints and art cards. A portion of the artists' proceeds will be donated to the parks commission to continue to maintain its sites.

"We're almost like an added attraction because the tourists come and gather around and watch us paint."

Stanley and fellow artists will be at Old Fort Erie Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.