Installation by Libby Hague. Image links to enlarged photo.

I have had a glimpse at just a few shows that are up, ready for openings tonight and Saturday. Have to let you see two works that are a taste of larger offerings by these artists. Libby Hague whose installation at the Lennox Contemporary gallery is a jaw-dropper. It takes up a big wall, woodcut on Okawara plus plus plus. The title is “Spectacular setting 2 hrs. from Huntsville, hot and cold running water, wildlife, must see”. You MUST see this one. In the same gallery is an extensive collection of beautiful textured prints by Brian Kelley whose dedication and talent deserve much more attention.

Work by Susan Farquhar. Image links to enlarged photo.

This work by Susan Farquhar at the David Kaye Gallery is one of many pieces in the show that use washi in a truly innovative and effective way. Serenity abounds here.

‘Garden Gate’ by Wesley Bates. Image links to enlarged photo.

And lastly, a striking show at the Gallery in the Garden (scroll down for press release) at the Sherway Gardens shopping mall in Etobicoke (next to Holt Renfrew) called “Basic Black on Washi” is up. This image, “Garden Gate”, is a wood engraving by Wesley Bates who shares the spotlight there with Wendy Cain and Elizabeth Forrest. It’s a little out of the way but an interesting space for a gallery and well worth the trip to Sherway to take in these three seasoned print artists.

This will be my last entry until it’s over, but I urge you to tune in to and comment on the interactive blog set up by Reg Beatty. Here’s the address again: www.washiseen.blogspot.com.

Become a roving reporter by checking in with Reg at washiwatcher@gmail.com. Photos, text, notification of not-to-be-misseds, reminders of special events - whatever you’d like to share with other visitors to the World Washi Summit.

Catch you later, and enjoy the glories for the next 10 days of art on washi!

Good friend and fellow washi enthusiast Reg Beatty has set up a new blog for you to tell us your thoughts on the Summit: Washi Seen: Keeping an Eye on the World Washi.

People can drop by to see what others think and comment, but we’re looking forward to folks posting their own thoughts on the Summit and the many exhibitions, workshops and experiences surrounding it so others can share. We can’t wait to hear what you think!

Hello all! From the buzzing hive of Summit Central we bring you just a quick update to tide you over until our next entry – and we’ll be adding pictures to this one on Monday.

A wood engraving block by Brian Kelley. Image links to enlarged photo.

Now that our fabulous map guides are flowing out to tease people to come to all the events, we are on to the catalogue! Each one will have an original wood engraving on washi by one of Brian Kelley, George Walker or Will Reuter who have kindly offered their blocks for the printing at Justin Labine’s new letterpress business. Above right is one of Brian’s images which you may be lucky to get. There will be 6 possible images. At $25, the catalogue will almost surely be a sellout as we are printing only 1500.

Palenque by Sebastian Canovas. Image links to enlarged photo.

News from Mexico that Sebastian Canovas, a young artist, is coming to Toronto for the Summit with his family. His work (left) will be exhibited at the Lonsdale Gallery and he will be there for the opening!

The Japan Foundation, Toronto exhibition – Washi over Time – is ready to be put up next week in time for Open Doors, the architectural event that lets us see inside usually closed doors. The theme this year is Sacred Spaces, and we feel grateful that “The JFT” has been selected as one of the venues this year based on our exhibition. Washi is made with great spirit, and its beginnings 1400 years ago were in Buddhist temples as a surface for writing sutras. How much more sacred can you get?