Back again for the second time this year, community event Art After Dark will set up in shops downtown to bring local art to Kingstonians.
This Friday, Sept. 27, a selection of local businesses will host local artists from 7 to 10 p.m.
The festival sees local businesses and artists teaming up to provide a public gallery walk experience where people can browse and purchase art on the walls of downtown businesses.
You can also fill out a ballot to win $500 from host, business improvement area Downtown Kingston, toward the purchase of artwork from one of the 29 participating locations.
Below, see a sample of just some of the spots available to tour during the evening art event:
Ars Libri Bookbinding and Book Restoration
60 Brock Street
Ars Libri Bookbinding and Book Restoration, owned by Ksenia Kopystynska, will be displaying Kopystynska’s own selection of one-of-a-kind designer leather belts and bracelets. The shop-owner conserves and restores old leather book covers. Kopystynska has been operating in Kingston for three years, but before that, she lived in Edmonton for almost 30 years.
Salon 296
296 Bagot Street
Next, swing by Salon 296. They offer a variety of haircuts for men, women and children, and have been open in Kingston under their current name for five years now. On Friday, Salon 296 will feature Donna Cheryl Brown’s art on their walls.
Brown is a client of theirs, and Salon 296 makes a point of ing a circulating collection of artists who have also ed their business. All the art sales’ proceeds will go directly to the artists.
Donna specializes in abstracts, still-lives, and portraits.
Limestone Eyecare
215 Princess Street
Another participating business is Limestone Eyecare, an optometry office offering eye exams and selling glasses and lenses for adults and children. They’ll be hosting Queen’s alum and artist Matthew Poirer. His work uses colour and texture to depict movement. Other than Kingston, Poirier’s work has also taken him to Montreal and Boston.
Kingston FrameWorks
198 Princess Street
Kingston FrameWorks will also participate in the gallery walk. They’re a local business that does custom frames for photographs, artwork, jerseys, and just about anything their customers request. FrameWorks is also host to a gallery of artists even when the Art After Dark Festival isn’t taking place.
On Friday, Kingston FrameWorks will feature the photography work of Andrée Anna Thorpe and her recent project Fields of Hope: A Farmer’s Celebration and Their Way of Life, which captures the hard work and commitment of farmers.
Something Else Records
207A Wellington Street
Something Else Records is owned and operated by Matthew and Tanya Robinson, who began operations last November. They boast roughly 7,000 records, but also sell books and accessories. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their personal collection, which includes complete LP and 7” vinyl of some of their favourite bands, like Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, and Stereolab.
Something Else Records will feature art by Deena Jacobs, Grace Katie Dixon, Francisco Corbett and Melanie Gordon.
This is just a sampling of the many art-loving businesses participating in the event this year. The event itself is free but the artwork is available for purchase.
If you consider yourself an art enthusiast or you’d just like to learn more about Kingston’s art scene, this is a great way to spend your Friday evening.
Students can take the opportunity to pop into a few of these shops and gain inspiration from the collaboration of talented creators and local business owners. It promises to be a fun night to witness the broad range of Kingston’s art scene.
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