About ALFEW
(Artists Looking For Empty Walls)
In 1996, a local coffee shop asked Louise Peacock to find artists to
display work on its walls. She put out a "call for Artists", and as a
result, a motley collection of artists became acquainted.
Unfortunately, the coffee shop owners decided they no longer wanted the
art on display, and gave the artists one day to remove the art. When
the
coffee shop walls became inaccessible, the artists had no idea where to
display their work and were unhappy.
They discussed the problem and concluded that they wished to unite as a
group, and seek hanging space jointly. They asked Louise to continue to
coordinate the effort. She agreed, dubbed the group ALFEW (Artists
Looking For Empy Walls).
The first members ofALFEW were Mary Armstrong, Bill Band, Margaret
Clark, Sarosh Chesson, and Louise Peacock, the ALFEW Founder.
Since Louise was a member of Neilson Park Creative Centre, she
proceeded to arrange for the art to hang in the NPCC hallway.
This became the first of four NPCC Hall exhibitions.
In 2001, the group was invited to hang at The Praxis Gallery on Bloor
Street, in The Kingsway area. Only Sarosh and Louise had avilable
artwork for that show.
Members came and went and shows proceeded when members wanted to
do them and space could be found. In 2004 ALFEW held a one month show
at Gate 403 on Roncesvalles Ave. with the late Phillip di
Gregorio, Fevan Tewolde and Louise Peacock, a show which garnered a lot
of interest.
In 2005, the group was invited to have three month show at Audio Number
Nine in downtown Toronto. Marie Beamish and Louise Peacock shared that
space, presenting a colourful and varied collection of their works.
Louise got once again busy with other aspects of her life and did
nothing with
ALFEW until Spring of 2009 - at which point the Mississauga Arts
Council kindly
offered some wall space which they managed at The Novatel, at
Highway 10 and Burnhamthorpe, in Mississauga, and
since there were no other takers, Louise was pleased to accept for
ALFEW.
While the hotel was an interesting venue and might have been useful,
but it
was decided that there was not enough foot traffic and thus few
opportunities for sales. While appreciative of the opportunity, Louise
decided that a different venue was needed and in November 2009,
returned the art space at the hotel to the auspices of the Mississauga
Arts Council.
For 2010, Louise has organized a new show, to be hung at the historic
Grange, in Mississagua. See details above.
The nature of ALFEW is that it is dynamic and is always on the look out
for opportunities to hang. We may not hang at any one place for long,
but we do seek to hang.
Don't forget:
if you are interested in becoming involved with ALFEW -
Please email Louise |