Enriching King Township through arts and culture for all spring 2019 ArtsSocietyKing.ca Ansnorveldt Kettleby King City Laskay Lloydtown Nobleton Pottageville Schomberg Snowball Strange and surrounding area Join us at our Empowering OPEN HOUSE Future Global Leaders Tuesday, April 16 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. At Pickering College, students (JK to Grade 12), faculty and staff live the values that have guided our school since 1842 in a stimulating collegial environment. Pickering College’s Global Leadership Program strikes the WEDNESDAY ADMISSION TOURS ideal balance between challenging students to develop critical thinking Morning and afternoon tours available and real-world life skills that can be applied to their university career and (by appointment) beyond. Register: As a result of their studies, students develop valuable skills, including: 905-895-1700 ext. 259 • time management and self-reliance • advanced academic ability • strong research and writing “The staff and faculty maintain an • critical thinking abilities environment in which the students are • dialogue, communication and presentation truly set up for success in all facets of • leadership and mentorship their education ... athletic, academic, • design, invent and problem solve artistic ... and do so in a safe, inclusive, New class added in Grade 6 & Grade 9 respectful place.” - PC parent Independent Co-educational Day and Boarding School 16945 Bayview Avenue, Newmarket, ON, Canada Since 1842 | JK to University Preparatory Visit us at www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/Mosaic FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR: GEORGE BURT Featured on the cover of the spring King MOSAIC is produced MELINE issue of King MOSAiC are wood- and edited by Arts Society King en works of art by George Burt. A BEACH resident of King Township, George honed his craft as a woodworking artist over the last thirty years. He is equally committed to volunteerism as an active member of Arts Society King, the South Simcoe Arts Council, the Editor LIDIA ALGHOUL Wood Turners Guild, and the local Masonic [email protected] Fraternity, where he was a past Master at the Schomberg Lodge and a District Deputy Grand Art Director SARAH DIDYCZ Master at Toronto District #1 in Mississauga. He is also a Shriner and a devoted Santa Claus for the Graphic Designer JOHN SPEZIALI past fifty years. For all advertising inquiries These days, you can find George at his workshop please contact 647-459-4136 or at the Olde Mill Art Gallery & Shoppe located on Main Street, Schomberg, where he sells used Published by Meline has been living in King books and his wooden masterpieces. Read more Township with her husband about George on page 4. and 2 children since 2004. They love living in King and enjoy the OUR COVER balance between its tranquillity and engaged lifestyle, including its THE CONTRIBUTING natural environments, hiking trails, WRITERS AND ARTISTS MCMICHAEL various conservation parks and the SHOWCASES Irene Bayer equestrian backdrop they appreciate A TRIO OF on their regular family bike rides. A THEATRE Meline Beach WITH A PIONEERING They love to explore its country PURPOSE FEMALE ARTISTS Adele Boy roads, quaint villages and hamlets. 11 21 George Burt Meline is very involved with her THE ARTS: Samson Cheung church and community and supports Debbie Fox a variety of causes and benefits, such 4 George Burt: An Artist Guided by the Grain Kathleen Fry as the King Township Food Bank, where she coordinates their annual 6 Word has it… Last Day at Garonga Bush Joe Gennaro Sip & Savour fundraiser and serves Camp Teri Hastings on the board of directors. She is also Sue Iaboni a frequent contributor to MOSAiC 11 A Theatre with a Purpose as she enjoys the opportunity to Deborah Jolly meet new people, learn of their HERITAGE: Ann Love artistic journey and apply her Amanda Lund creative skills in sharing their story with others. Meline believes that 5 40 Years Ago Kelly Mathews volunteering is a rewarding and 17 King Township Book Update Augusto R. Nalli meaningful way to share one’s gifts Mark Pavilons - be it time, effort and expertise. 17 Tombstones Lost and Found Beyond volunteering and freelance Dorita Peer writing, Meline is an independent Stuart Reid communications practitioner and NATURE: Kalli Secord provides communications and public relations support to businesses 19 Biologist at the Table: Cheryl Uhrig across Canada. Read Meline’s The Chocolate Pyramid Scheme Dr. Arthur Weis featured artist article on page 4 of this issue. AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: ArtsSocietyKing.ca 9 A Spiritual Odyssey King MOSAiC is produced by Arts Society 21 Self Driven Databases King four times a year (March, June, September, and December), by a dedicated committee 21 The McMichael Showcases a Trio of of volunteers. The magazine is distributed by Pioneering Female Artists London Publishing Corp. to all households in King as well as libraries, businesses, restaurants, offices, and other public places. 23 Philosopher-Journalist: Mark Pavilions Editorial content is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction of the WHAT’S HAPPENING IN KING: contents of this publication without consent is prohibited. 13 Arts Society King We welcome your feedback and suggestions. 14 Events in and around King Township Write to us at A SPIRITUAL …just ASK! [email protected] ODYSSEY 16 Studio Tour King contents 9 MOSAiC spring 2019 3 THE ARTS Cedar vases made from Cedar GEORGE BURT rail fencing 200 plus years old AN ARTIST GUIDED BY THE GRAIN by Meline Beach One wood lathe, a band saw and about 50 chisels, make up George Burt’s tool kit for his woodworking hobby. The most important tools of all would be his two hands and imagination. resident of King Township since George studies the raw resource and lets it drive 1977, George moved from Mississauga its masterpiece. “The wood speaks to me,” says to Pottageville, to most recently, George. “What you thought you could do with ASchomberg where he lives just a stone’s throw the wood is not always what you end up with.” from his workshop. Just like the rings of a tree ‘Waste not, want not,’ George prefers to use tells its story, George’s rings of life are as deep as all parts of a tree, including its bark. Miniature his collection of books. An avid reader, George vases and toy tops are made with scrap pieces of has thousands of books from topics ranging from wood and wood shavings are gladly given away Freemasonry to underwater exploration. as bedding for garden paths and flower beds. George’s career dates back to 1956 when “Everything gets recycled or reused,” says George. life was full of flippers, valves and wetsuits. As Mostly self-taught and mentored by two one of the first scuba instructors certified to woodworkers, George completed a course on teach in Canada, George enjoyed exceptional forestry and wood identification at Sir Sandford Other unique items include burial urns, buttons 10,000 pieces a year,” says George of the hustle diving adventures that came with working for Fleming College to help him better understand for one-of-a-kind clothing, cupcake holders and and bustle life as an artist. “I thought I was in a a company owned by none other than Jacques wood, its look and odour. hat stands. One customer asked him to make a dream knowing that some of my products were Cousteau. A sales career in the food and “Every wood has its own fingerprint and cell bowl from the tree that hung a childhood swing displayed in the company of many Group of hospitality industry soon followed, where he sold structure,” says George. Without stating any as a means of sustaining its sentimental value. Seven paintings.” everything from coffee and French-fried potatoes favourites, George prefers Canadian wood over He puts a great deal of care and attention Impressive woodworking skills and generous to menus. And while he “tinkered” with wood exotics, especially Manitoba Maple and fruit trees into each piece and hopes it brings as much joy with his knowledge, George welcomes students all his life, retirement allowed him to pursue his for its nice aroma. “There’s enough beautiful wood to their recipients as it does in its making. In fact, to his workshop to learn the tricks of the trade woodworking passion on a more dedicated basis. in Canada that I don’t need to look elsewhere.” that’s the inscription on the tag included with all and create a masterpiece of their own. His The positive results and praise he receives is a fine His first claim of wood was lifted from an his wooden works. youngest participant was a group of 10-year-olds measure of success and enough encouragement abandoned pile along the road. He took it home, What started off as a hobby making gifts for for his grandson’s birthday party. to keep him going. This labour of love has turned, put it on the lathe and thought the colours family and friends using nature’s ingredients, such The art of woodworking is not for the chiselled and polished thousands of wooden were amazing and the textures unbelievable. He as pinecones, little trees and wreaths, has turned impatient. Raw pieces in production can take works of art over the last thirty years. made a few designs from it and from then on, his into a professional passion. From local craft years to complete based on their thickness and George appreciates wood for its sturdy craftsmanship with Canadian wood became well- shows and large artisan marketplaces to tourist subsequent drying time. “Mother Nature does form, organic characteristics and for what it has known. So much so, that piles of wood magically attractions and prestigious gallery gift shops not tolerate anything going from one situation to contributed to society.