The Bridge is a collective of divergent media and shared outlook. The individual artists of The Bridge have long been achieving a new standard in contemporary Celtic craft. Serious researchers and practitioners of their craft, they are skilled lecturers in museum, academic and cultural settings, experienced teachers and demonstrators, consultants on historic re-creations, film and television, and exhibiting artists.
Their chief mandate is to raise the standard of craft that is inspired by history or tradition. They also propose to forge links between the past and present, between artists and the community, between art and craft, and between cultures. There is an historical continuum of technologies, of tradition and innovation, and of materials that the artists of The Bridge are uniquely positioned to illuminate for others. The artists of The Bridge are unique in the world of contemporary craft. For many years they have absorbed both form and content of Celtic historical traditions, and have created entirely new works inspired and informed by these traditions. A key objective is to expand their markets for these works of craft and art.
In pursuance of their goals, they plan a yearly congress, joint exhibitions, and an annual Exposition and a web-site.
In addition to their artistic skills, key members of The Bridge have had extensive experience with public programming, festival organization, publicity, media outreach and exhibitions.
They are available individually or as a group for exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, extended classes, or as consultants. Members of The Bridge are: Catherine Crowe, enamalist, Laura Travis, stonecarver, Darrell Markewitz, blacksmith, Brigitte Wolf, stained glass artist and Brenda Roy, goldsmith.
An Droichead/the Bridge - Contemporary Celtic Artists
WEBSITE:
EXHIBITIONS Celtic Renaissance - Contemporary Celtic Art in Ontario & Brittany, Guelph Civic Museum, Jan - Feb 1999.
Group Show at the Lindsay Public Library, Mar - Apr 2001
International Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Convention, Toronto, April 2001 Art show at this annual gathering of people with Irish roots in the Americas
Tradition and Innovation - Group show at the Lindsay Public Library Gallery, Feb. - Mar. 2003
“Tradition and Innovation”, both go hand in hand. It is rare to create something absolutely new, never seen before. As artists we are constantly looking at the world around us, drawing inspiration from many sources, both overt and subtle. Everything we see becomes grist for the mill. When an artist makes a conscious decision to draw on traditional sources, it is inevitable that we bring our own unique ‘take’ to the matter at hand. There is no creativity in slavishly recreating the past. The challenge is to take what has gone before and put it into a contemporary context. In doing so, the end result is stronger and more alive.
Annually at the GODERICH CELTIC ROOTS FESTIVAL, and as staff at the GODERICH CELTIC COLLEGE which is in early August. For information on both of these events seewww.celticfestival.ca
