A beautiful partnership...

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

As artists, we are honoured to be a part of the re-creation of the historic Algonquin Resort and we really love the fact that General Manager Tim Ostrem and his team have - from day one - been focused on local talent.

Jantje's recycled hotel cutlery and driftwood sculptures sit as table centerpieces in Braxton's Restaurant.

Photo: Shannon May Photography

Photo: Wilma Blokhuis

Some of the cutlery/driftwood sculptures are available for sale in The Algonquin gift shop.

Jantje's large driftwood sculpture adorns the table in the hotel's lobby.

Photo: Shannon May Photography

Photo: Shannon May Photography

Larissa Blokhuis' blown glass trees are beautifully displayed behind the bar at Braxton's.

Photo: Shannon May Photography

 

Jantje's stone sculptures are displayed in a portable bar and on tables during special events.

 

 

Photo: NBCC

Geoff's line painting of the hotel (used during opening celebrations on March 19th) hangs proudly in the Algonquin's fitness centre.

We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with The Algonquin Resort...

 

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The Algonquin is one of Canada’s most luxurious and legendary resorts. Rich in history, meticulously restored to its original splendour, and complete with every modern comfort you could desire, this year-round destination truly offers the best of the past with contemporary amenities.

 

For a trip of a lifetime, visit The Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, NB

 http://algonquinresort.com

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Some of the photographs in this post were taken by Shannon May. 

Please visit Shannon's website at: http://www.shannonmayphotography.com/

Culinary competition sculptures

The first NBCC (New Brunswick Community College) Algonquin Resort culinary competition was held on March 24, 2014.

Jantje was asked to design a few themed sculptures to be used as awards for the event.

Using recycled Algonquin Resort cutlery, driftwood from our local beaches and a few added embellishments, she created the following pieces...

Pictured below are some of the winners holding their awards. Congratulations to all!

Photo: NBCC

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The Algonquin is one of Canada’s most luxurious and legendary resorts. Rich in history, meticulously restored to its original splendour, and complete with every modern comfort you could desire, this year-round destination truly offers the best of the past with contemporary amenities.

 

For a trip of a lifetime, visit The Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, NB

 http://algonquinresort.com

Cutlery Bracelet by Jantje

The Art of December - 12/16/13: Cutlery Bracelet by Jantje
 
by Andrea Mulder-Slater

December 16, 2013

This lovely bracelet was created by Jantje using a discarded spoon, discovered in an antique shop. After hammering the heck out of it, Jantje bent the spoon and added some glass beads and wire. The result is a truly magnificent piece of jewellery -- completely one of a kind.

Jantje Blokhuis-Mulder

Bracelet

cutlery, beads and wire

About the artist:
Jantje has been making and creating art for nearly 50 years. Her work reflects her seaside surroundings and her colourful gameboards, collages, paintings, woodburnings and sculptures can be found in collections around the world. In addition to making art, Jantje writes for magazines such as Senior Living, The Outsider and Folk Art America. She is also co-founder of KinderArt.com and teaches art to children & adults of all ages. She has been featured both in print and on television in Canada, USA and the UK.

Here comes the bride (and groom)...

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

Earlier this year, Jantje was commissioned by the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews New Brunswick, to create a number of sculptures using Bay of Fundy driftwood and recycled cutlery from the historic hotel which has undergone a magnificent transformation.

Bending metal, one tine at a time...

Just this fall, she discovered that her sculptures would be adorning the tables at Braxton's Restaurant and Bar, located in the hotel, and was asked to create 25 more...

A small taste of what's to come...

No sooner had Jantje completed her latest commission when the hotel's manager contacted her with a unique and wonderful request -- to create a wedding themed sculpture as part of a Random Act of Kindness for a husband and wife to be.

Photo: Tim Ostrem

The Random Act of Kindness was a biggie. During their wedding rehearsal at the Algonquin Resort Clubhouse, Peter MacLeod and now wife, Peggy Tucker, were given some terrific news.

Algonquin Resort General Manager Tim Ostrem presented the couple with the news that he had shredded their wedding bill.

Here's a video of the lucky couple as they found out their wedding was "on the house".

What a wonderful, heartwarming gesture...




You can read more about this story at the Algonquin Resort's blog: http://algonquinresort.com/stories-by-the-sea/a-random-act-of-kindness-peter-peggy/

See this story on CanadaAM:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/new-brunswick-hotel-offers-newlyweds-extra-special-wedding-present-1.1570042

Checkerboard by Jantje

The Art of December - 12/02/13: Checkerboard by Jantje

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

To celebrate the holidays, we've decided to post a photo of a work of art (available for sale in our studio/gallery) each day between December 1st and 24th.
 

December 2, 2013

Today we have a photograph of a fun checkerboard created by Jantje Blokhuis-Mulder.

Pigs and Sheep Checkerboard

by Jantje Blokhuis-Mulder

Pyrography and Paint

About the artist:
Jantje has been making and creating art for nearly 50 years. Her work reflects her seaside surroundings and her colourful gameboards, collages, paintings, woodburnings and sculptures can be found in collections around the world. In addition to making art, Jantje writes for magazines such as Senior Living, The Outsider and Folk Art America. She is also co-founder of KinderArt.com and teaches art to children & adults of all ages. She has been featured both in print and on television in Canada, USA and the UK.

Pass the fork, please...

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

Jantje is known for her ability to create art from found objects. One of her favorite things to do is to bend and mold figures out of discarded silverware. She then attaches these "dancers, musicians and athletes" to driftwood she finds at the beach.

Lately, she has been working hard on a big and exciting commission for the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews - using silverware from the hotel that is being recycled. Her hands are getting mighty sore (and strong)!

Here's a peek...

The art of life (folk art festival)

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

The annual Folk Art Festival/Exhibit held in the Kingsbrae Garden Art Gallery is a family affair. Jantje (Jan) spends her winters locating folk art created by talented artists from across the Maritimes. The work is then shipped to St. Andrews, or picked up by Kingsbrae staff (or us). Once the pieces arrive, Jan, the littlest one and I unpack the art, Geoff hangs the show and between Jan and I we put together the brochures and price lists that accompany the works.

This event is near and dear to Jan's heart, which is why we all volunteer our time every year to organize it. In addition to being a folk artist, Jan has also been finding and writing about folk art for years, for About.com, The Outsider and, on the website - www.FolkArtAmerica.com. She is dedicated to giving a voice to artists who are not always heard. 

The exibit at Kingsbrae is a partnership between Jarea Art and the Garden's patron, Lucinda Flemer (another folk art lover).

The 3rd annual show was recently installed and will open officially on June 13th, 2013 (and run through to the middle of October). I thought it might be nice to give you all a behind-the-scenes sneak peek. And, if you are interested in learning more about this year's fantastic folk artists -- click here.

Geoff hanging a painting by April Thomas.

Jan hanging a painting by Holly Everett.

Painted rocks by Lorain Ebbett-Rideout

April and Laurie Thomas' lighthouse sculpture

Jan surveying the wonderful art

Painted boards by Lorain Ebbett-Rideout as well as sculptures by April and Laurie Thomas and paintings by Brian Allen Adams, Maureen Newman, Holly Everett and April Thomas

Such a colourful show!

Works by Leo Narcisse Robichaud, our Jantje and Doug Dorken on the wall. Paintings by April Thomas and Rocks by Lorain Ebbett-Rideout on the table.

Lovely!

Folk Art!

Leo Narcisse Robichaud's painting over the fireplace

Maureen Newman, Brian Allen Adams and Holly Everett

Art from the heart

Such fun from Laurie and April Thomas

Find out more about this year's talented artists at: http://jareaart.blogspot.ca/2013/06/3rd-annual-folk-art-exhibit-2013-artists.html