The three artists, Ruby Beaumont, Mitzi Pappas Smyth and Brenda Rowe-Bartlett have been art educators and practicing artists for over thirty years within the Avalon East School District. In order to combat the intense junior and scenior high curriculum demands and issolationism experiecned by all subject area specialists, they formed a small group of art educators who met on a regular basis to exchange ideas, discuss art related issues and particiapte in art activities organised within the group.

One such event materalized as a four day artist excursion to a lovely old heritage home located in Bynyans' Cove, Trinity Bay. Even though the retreat "was not about the food" the artists did manage to taste an international cuisine that included Italian, Indian, Spanish and Greek delights when they took a break from drawing and painting. This break from the city as they traveled around Trinity Bight and English Harbour East further validated their love of the sea and redefined what it means to grow up Living By the Sea.

Indeed, one afternoon when the sky suddenly darkened over Bunyans' Cove and large hale stones bounced off the veranda followed immediately by a beautiful rainbow, the forces of nature almost bordered on the mystical, particulary since one artist had been painting a rainbow moments before!

Now that Ruby, Mitzi and Brenda are retired, all three artists are avidly involved in finding their personal niche in the world of art through their painting, drawing, sculping and print making. As a result of their focused daily attention on the natural external and internal envinronment of Newfoundland and Labrador, each artist has emerged with her own distinct style of visual communication that highlights the sea and its power to redefine ones identity. As the sea calls, they each respond with their own voice; using the universal language of color, shape, line, texture, space and form in a personal way.

Click on artist's images above for additional information.

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