Kathleen Atkinson-Hindle

Arts Council~ Haliburton Highlands presents... 

 

'Featured Artist'

 

Kathleen Atkinson-Hindle: Artist and savvy businesswoman

 By Mark Arike

 

 

Over the past couple of years, Kathleen Atkinson-Hindle has been working hard to establish herself as a recognizable figure in the local arts community. From toiling away over a fiery hot forge to learning the ins and outs of being a business person, travelling to shows and making sales, this 25-year-old dynamo has proven that she’s a force to be reckoned with.

   Working as a blacksmith and jeweller, Kathleen endeavours to “create pieces with a dramatic impact.” Her hand-fabricated pieces are functional and non-functional, and each contains a raw, yet inherently elegant aesthetic.

   One might find it odd, but one of Kathleen’s favourite places to visit is the local dump. There she can be found scavenging for long lost metal objects that once in her hands, are transformed into works of all shapes, sizes and purposes. For her it’s about breathing life back into the forgotten.

   And boy, has this young artist been keeping busy.

   This past year, the full-time Eagle Lake resident ventured to Barrie’s Georgian College to develop her skills in production work.

   “It was so good to go there,” Kathleen said of the jewellery and metal arts program. 

   “When I got there they told me that ‘we don’t teach people how to make art, we teach them how to make jewellery that people will buy,’” she said.

   Since she graduated from the jewellery essentials and blacksmithing programs at The Haliburton School of the Arts, Kathleen was able to jump into the second year of Georgian’s program. She also applied for and received a scholarship that covered part of her material costs.

   To gain some ideas for her future creations, Kathleen attended the Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase show in Tucson, Arizona.

   “It [the show] made me put a new emphasis on my work with stones… I have since added more texture and character to my work,” Kathleen said.

   This summer she got a big boost when she became one of three local recipients to receive a Summer Company grant from the Ontario government. The program is designed to provide student entrepreneurs with start-up capital as well training in areas required to run a business.

   “I really found the mentors helpful for the business classes that they assisted me in,” she said of the practical skills the program taught her.

   After graduating, Kathleen decided to focus more heavily on blacksmithing than ever before.

   “I’ve been doing a lot of railings, door handles, sculptural stuff…” Kathleen explained.

   In the fall she’ll be setting up shop in a space on Haliburton’s Industrial Park Rd.

   “I’m going to continue to make jewellery at home, but the new space will be ideal for the large-scale, sculptural pieces,” she said.

   Kathleen admits to having a love for making the wild, out-of-this-world kind of art that suits public galleries and other commercial locations; however, she realizes that to make a career out of one’s work, the key to success is being able to compromise.

   “There’s a balance that I have to find between the jewellery and blacksmithing. Some people want the larger projects but there’s a high demand for the small, wearable forms of my artwork.”

   A perfect example of this was when Kathleen was out with some friends in the Toronto area. What caught her eye shocked her – in a good way.

   “A classy woman was wearing a necklace of mine… it made me feel so good to know that people I don’t know are wearing my work,” Kathleen said.

   This month, Kathleen along with a few of her feisty, female Art Hive cohorts, are organizing the fourth annual Fashion Fallies “Larger Than Life” event, set to take place in the upper level of the Dysart arena.

   “I jumped on the chance to be one of the organizers,” Kathleen said of the event she began modelling attire for from the start. “I feel like it’s one of the best events that The Art Hive hosts and the most fun.”

   For the past three years the event has been held at The Art Hive, but because of its continued success, has outgrown the venue.

   “It’s just gotten bigger and bigger,” smiled the blonde, jovial artist.

   Each year the show requires wearable works and models to strut the unique creations made by local artists – and this year is no different. The deadline for written submissions is Sept. 12. The deadline for delivery of work is Sept. 19. For more information go to www.thearthive.com or call 705-754-0021.

   If you’re not participating, make sure to be a spectator! This year’s “artrageous” show is on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Dysart arena. In addition to the fashion show and sale, patrons will be able to enjoy music, dancing, food, prizes and much more.

  Tickets are $18 for Art Hive members, $20 early bird, and $25 at the door and are available at: The Art Hive, The Ethel Curry Gallery, Ommh Beauty Boutique and The Hilltop Market.