Monkeys are filling the lower studio of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery from now until closing on Sunday, February 7. A show to celebrate the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Monkey has been organized by the Chinese in Grey Bruce Research Project in partnership with the gallery.

The call to artists went out to all local artists, and the pieces represent the work of professionals, art teachers and their students, and those for whom making art is both a solitary and social practice. From milk paint to the traditional Chinese watercolour and brush, felt to flattened cans, the artists have brought the celebration to life.

This year we are honoured to have work by Guangzhou, China artist SuYi Chen, who has been a friend since childhood of one of the event organizers, Xiao Mei Zhu. Her delicate brush paintings on rice paper, mountedon silk, arrived from China just in time to be mounted in the show. They were donated by the artist to support the work of the Chinese in Grey Bruce Research Project.

Saturday, February 6 from 1 until 2 the public is invited to meet the artists and talk about the works and enjoy Chinese treats , and from 2 until 4 there will be an opportunity for anyone of any age to make some art of their own – all the materials will be supplied.

Artists in this year's Chinese New Year Art Show
Allison Brown
Andrée Levie-Warrilow
Bonnie Gardiner
Elaine Doy
Emily Bi
Holger Majorahn
Jenna MacLellan
Joan Irvine
Lesley Bankes
Maki Shioyama
SuYi Chen
Yuko Ueno-Velaitis

Ginkgo Footprints Studio
GBHS Art Group

source: Chinese in Grey Bruce Research Project