March 29, Salt Spring Gallery will be opening another exciting art show. Titled ‘Resurgence’ this pop up show and sale features favourite artwork from the past by the present ten gallery members.

With the usual push in the art world to be always showing new work, some art gets put into storage before many people have had a chance to see it. For artists this results in an overabundance of art filling the corners of their studio work space. Hidden in those stacks of paintings are plenty of unsung heroes.

My small studio is a good example of this. As well as paintings displayed on the walls I have paintings stacked all along one side of the room, smaller pieces packed in boxes in one corner and larger pieces under a window in another corner. It's not particularly tidy but it works for me! Some artists have been known to burn their excess paintings to make space for new work but I find this option a difficult one to embrace. Each of my paintings is a celebration of the beauty found in nature. My paintings are like portraits, showing a flower or scene in its natural perfection. How could I choose to willingly destroy nature? I just don't have it in me.

When people buy my paintings it is usually because they have fallen in love with the colour, form or serenity of the image. For Resurgence I have chosen to show some of my favourite paintings done before 2005 which I am offering at retro prices. I would love for the paintings to find homes where they can bring cheer year round instead of hiding in the dark.

Over time most of the Salt Spring Gallery artists have experimented with different media and styles. Lisa Lipsett and Cinda Helm are both choosing to show early paintings on paper. Helm’s are watercolours, Lipsett’s are ink, acrylic and water media. Lipsett’s work has morphed into elemental images in oil and cold wax while Helm has moved on to oils to create her Coffee Girls series. Allison Brodie who is always exploring new art forms is showing three florals, in acrylic, water colour and one in ink. Carol Newmeyer has experimented with acrylic pours as a sideline to her beadwork.

Kuno Egger is a hard task master and has been known to break his ceramics if he feels they are not worthy so he doesn’t suffer from the overstuffed studio syndrome. If the pots are not up to his high standard no one is going to have them. Nevertheless he has managed to find three or four pieces to put in the show.

The work of long time island artists Sheila Hoen, Ilse Leader, Paul Robert Bryans and Rachel Vadeboncoeur will round out the show.

Resurgence will be full of surprises and could also be an opportunity to find a piece of art by your favourite Salt Spring Gallery artist at a reduced price.

The Resurgence Pop Up Show and Sale runs March 29 – April 10 with an opening reception March 29, 5 –7 pm at the Salt Spring Gallery at 135 McPhillips Ave, downtown Ganges.