Art show mixes oils for the eye and the mouth
Native Calgarian Rachelle Brady has been a professional oil painter for almost a decade. She focuses mostly on landscapes, and has shown off her work at galleries around the city.
For her latest show, however, Brady and her friend and fellow painter Lois Griffiths decided to try something a little different.
They approached the Blue Door, a small store in southwest Calgary that specializes in gourmet olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and asked to host what they called the Infusion Art Show and Sale there on Oct. 24 and 25.
Brady said they wanted a venue that was more intimate and personal than a large gallery because it makes visitors feel more comfortable.
“I think that guests feel less intimidated, especially when they know us,” Brady said.
Produced by Madison Farkas
Several of the show’s visitors were friends of Brady and Griffiths. As they wandered through the colourful nature scenes, the artists shared their expertise as well as a snack of artisan bread dipped in oil and vinegar.
Brady added that another reason she and Griffiths chose the Blue Door was because of its location just south of Old Banff Coach Road on 85th Street S.W.
“Up in this area, there are a lot of new homes and new families moving in,” Brady said. “We thought we’d try to target those that might need artwork for their new homes.”
“Olive oil and oil paintings,” Lois Griffiths noted with a laugh. “Not something we planned, but it works.”
Local artists Lois Griffiths (left) and Rachelle Brady have been painting oil on canvas at the same art studio for several years. Their most recent exhibit was the Infusion Art Show held at the Blue Door, a store that specializes in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Photo by Madison Farkas.Bruce Gillis, owner of the Blue Door, said the event was also a success from the store’s perspective.
“Anything we can do to bring new people to our store who otherwise wouldn’t find us is a win,” Gillis said.
While Infusion is only the third art show that the Blue Door has hosted since it opened in August 2012, it has hosted tastings and charity events over the years.
Gillis added that they would be open to hosting similar shows in the future.