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Artscene Mother of Polar Bear Dippers hosts show for same cause By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF First, she encouraged her sons to do something productive, which led them to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for World Vision and its efforts to bring people clean water in Third World countries. Now, Gaye Courage is taking her own advice. The artist will be hosting a show of her originals for the same cause that her sons have supported with their event. Thanks to some motherly advice, Courage helped start the Courage Brothers' Polar Bear Dip for World Vision, which is held each New Year's Day at Coronation Park. Courage's art show, titled Splash, takes place at the Oakville Art Society gallery this weekend (Nov. 11-13). "We've been raising money and we've raised nearly $900,000. We're working on a million," she said of the Polar Bear Dip's 26-year run. She said people don't always think about water, but she learned about its desperate need when she travelled to Africa with her sons, Todd and Trent, to see World Vision in action as it installed wells in communities. "After that I said there must be something I could do," she said. "I came home and thought, well, what can I do? Then I thought of this because I paint and people then comes the food and directing people how to care for themselves after that." The art show will also have copies of her book, titled Yes You Can Paint, which features illustrations and is a guide for people to begin painting. Having been an art teacher and winning awards for her work, Courage has learned people give up on art easily. So, she made a small book, with fewer than 40 pages, that makes getting started easy. "It's for beginners to see if they like art. People do get bogged down when they buy a big, thick book on art. They don't know where to start," she said. Having been employed in the airline business, Courage has travelled a lot and everywhere she goes, she tries to pick up new art skills. "... I continue with my research in design and art and try to get different pictures and slants on things. I don't stick to the same thing. I'm always moving," she said. Her work includes modern, abstract and traditional-style paintings. Proceeds from the art and book sales will go to World Vision. The show runs Friday from 6-9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. The gallery is located at 560 Bronte Rd. Follow Dominik Kurek on Twitter at @DominikKurek. 17 · Wednesday, November 9, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ART FOR WATER: Gaye Courage is pictured preparing for an art show this weekend, through which she is raising money for World Vision. It is the same organization her sons helped raise funds for through their annual Courage Brothers' Polar Bear Dip. seem to love my paintings. They're buying them. I thought I'd start by making small ones and only charge a small amount." So for this charity art show she has lowered her prices, including some small pieces for $40. The watercolour and acrylic painter also has pieces that are much higher in price, and will have many works at the show between $100$250. "I have lowered the prices a tad because it's a charity and because I want this to work. I want to make as much as I can for Water is Life," she said. "I've been in Africa and worked with World Vision so I know how important water is. Water is the blue gold. We can't do anything without water and that's how they (World Vision) started in Africa. The water comes first and Capture Oakville winners Local photographer Tim Serneels was selected as the Capture Oakville 2011 grand prize winner for his shot called Work in Progress. The contest was put on by the Oakville Camera Club and featured a number of categories. The pictures are currently on view at Oakville Town Hall during regular business hours until Jan. 4. "The quality of entries this year made the judging very difficult but made for an amazing exhibit," said Oakville Camera Club events and competition director Kieley Hickey, in a press release. "Tim submitted great work and I congratulate him for making award-winning images." Serneels' Work in Progress was entered in the camera club's Fine Art Category. Another shot by Serneels, called Perfect Exposure, also took first place in the Nature category. Other winners include Laurie Fenos with Cause and Effect in the Energy category, Peter Wright with Evening Sails in the Open category and Lisa Horvath with Carla in the Portrait category. The Mayor's Award went to Laurie Fenos for her picture called The Lighthouse in the Heritage category. Exhibit at CJ's Local artist Catherine Shane is currently showcasing her work at CJ's Café in Bronte. The acrylic painter's exhibit, titled Exercise Your Eyes, will hang at the café until Dec. 5. Shane's art is a series of abstracts that encourage a viewer's eyes to delve into multiple dimensions. "I work with many layers of glazes, vibrant palettes and my signature design elements to create my unique style," the artist said in a statement. The café is located at 2416 Lakeshore Rd. W. To learn more about the artist, visit www.catherineshane.com. SUBMITTED PHOTO GRAND PRIZE: Tim Serneels took home the grand prize at the Capture Oakville 2011 photography contest for his shot, titled Work in Progress (pictured).