Steven Hill
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Art and music collide at the Brackendale Art Gallery this weekend, as the venue hosts both a "Live Art Show" and a dynamic photography exhibit of the natural world.
On Saturday Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. photojournalist Keith Thirkell will be showcasing his superb nature photography.
Thirkell is an award-winning B.C. photojournalist whose work has been featured in many publications and books.
"Nature truly is the 'first expression of art'," according to BAG literature on the event. "Nature's beautiful designs are all around us, but do we notice?
"Photography is a superb medium to capture the magnificent abstract designs in nature."
Then on Sunday Jan. 22, BAG hosts an art show with a twist.
Painter Michael Malcolm will create a work of art before your eyes on the stage, accompanied by music.
"It's an exercise in simultaneous activities - music and picture painting," he said. "Composer Jack Velker will play music while I paint a picture.
"I've done this sort of thing for about 35 years," he said. "There's an old saying that every artist wants to play music and every musician wants to paint pictures. So, we put them together."
Malcolm said the painting he creates usually reflects the tone and rhythms of the music he hears.
"We will respond and interact with one another during the performance," he said. "The result will be a painting, which will be auctioned off at the end."
He invited other local artists to participate in creating art to Velker's compositions.
"If any other painters wish to participate, I'll set them up," he said. "But we won't let other musicians play, as we already have a program of music set up."
Malcolm said proceeds from the Live Art Show would go to a good cause.
"The purpose is to raise funds for Thor's [Froslev] Eagle Aid Tower," he said.
