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community | by S o p h i a Sorensen Angels & "One role that was rarely encouraged of the artist. The requirements social unacceptability nomic restrictions of artistic training and the of such a career, combined of guild membership, allowed little Divas public. As well, the Society will issue a Call for Artists, for two upcoming shows at the Vancouver Public Library (central branch) and the Roundhouse. FODASS has also created a Youth Mentor Program. This year seventeen year old Keegan Reid Tulloch is being guided to his dream of attending Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. Due to growth in the scope of their activities, the society, originally self-financing, is seeking funding from other sources. Mcintosh and Harris-Nichols face many challenges balancing their artistic endeavours with family obligations as well as spearheading the Famous Open Door Art Studio. Despite these demands on their time, they approach their challenges with a sense of humour. In Mcintosh's words, they want to "inject fun into art" and, with a charming flair, consider themselves "divas in their own right." For the help they deliver to artists and the style in which they work, it's easy to see that they are both angels and divas. for women was that with the ecocapacity for female artists to flourish." Women and Art in the Renaissance. Fortunately these limitations are now a distant memory. To prove it, two North Shore women are designing a Renaissance of their own. Their creative alliance has produced individual benefits and unexpected advantages for the artistic community at large. Several years ago, Vivian Mcintosh and Elizabeth Harris-Nichols were both independently marketing their art through craft shows. They realized they shared a common goal of evolving towards becoming 'artisans'. This realization formed the basis for their working relationship, one that balances art and philanthropy. For Mcintosh, the key is "creating works that reflect a love for the home, garden and surroundings." Her life-sized works in wood, paint and sculpture are two and three-dimensional. One series features women in period clothing, sculpted from wood. These fashion conscious models are graceful and gregarious. 'Defiant femininity' is how she describes the philosophy behind her work. Another series celebrates fruit, beautiful and bodacious beyond imagination. Her whimsical creations are on long-term display at the Crafts Association of BC on Granville Island and tour many other galleries. Her partner, Elizabeth Harris-Nichols has works spanning many diverse genres and materials. She has created a series of large-scale, dream-like angels, which radiate from their place on the wall. A recent multi-media show titled 'Sleep' featured a bed, audio-visual components and paintings. Her ever-evolving art is driven by her 'exploration of materials' philosophy. She employs paint, sculpture, ceramics and sometimes a mix of many media. Her work, frequently exhibited throughout the North Shore, is currently at Ron Andrews in May and Squamish's Foyer Gallery in June. Mcintosh and Harris-Nichols also had a common desire to foster a sense of community for North Shore artists. An informal gathering of people sharing ideas about art led to the creation of the Famous Open Door Art Studio Society (FODASS). This rare 'artists for artists' group, which has been evolving since 1998, helps artists grow and gain access to resources. FODASS, now a registered not-for-profit entity, has many specific goals - networking, promotion, sharing information about grants, as well as an ever-increasing membership. Forums on the first Tuesday of every month provide a venue for topics of interest to artists. FODASS will be hosting an exhibition called 'Art is like a Pizza'. Members are invited to submit their creative vision incorporating a most unusual material - recycled pizza pans. The most innovative results will receive funding, be displayed and finally auctioned to the To find out about the Famous Open Door Art Studio Society contact Elizabeth Harris-Nichols at 990-9361 or Vivian Mcintosh at 924-0689. Mcintosh is exhibiting through M a y 24 at the District Hall, 355 Queens Road. VIVIAN MCINTOSH (LEFT) WITH " S H O E TREE" A N D ELIZABETH HARRIS-NICHOLS WITH HER PIECE CELEBRATING MOTHER NATURE. May | June