One of Chantal Bethel's pieces to be exhibited at the show opening on August 10th in Vancouver, Canada.
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Artist Chantal Bethel of Grand Bahama Island spent part of the winter and spring of 2012 in Canada's west coast province of British Columbia and welcomed the opportunity to explore the world of mixed media at the ArtWay studios during her stay in Vancouver.
With the motto: "Explore. Create. Inspire." the ArtWay is an artist-run studio that showcases Vancouver artists and runs a number of art classes teaching art as a journey. The instructors, Denna Erickson and Sonya Iwasiuk encourage other artists / students to work towards self-expression, independent thinking, experiencing the transformative nature of the process of art.
“The 'Ignite the Soul' mixed media course is an experience I will truly remember”, says Bethel. It enabled me to let my creativity freely flow without expectations. I am delighted to be exhibiting in Vancouver,” she continued.
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Chantal E.Y. Bethel was born in Haiti and at the age of 12 she left
her native land to join her mother in Brussels, Belgium where she was
educated. Nine years later she relocated to The Bahamas where her father
had settled fleeing the Duvalier regime of Papa Doc and his fearsome
tontons macoutes.
Bethel, whose education in Business Management led her to a 15
year career at the Lucayan Medical Center, describes her metamorphosis
into an artist as a "mid-life renaissance". The guidance she received
through various international workshops in the early 1990's and the
mentorship of acclaimed Bahamian artist/sculptor Antonius Roberts
inspired her to grow as an artist. She went on to pursue further
studies at Haliburton School of the Arts in Canada.
Today Chantal Bethel is an accomplished artist who has received
international recognition for her work. A noted painter, her fluid
style complements her signature palette which is made of vibrant, warm
and rich colors. Since 2006, she has extended her artistic vision to
sculpture transforming the crown shaft of the palm tree into sculptural
medium. In 2007 she created her first art installation which was
successfully exhibited at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas where
her work has been selected for many of the National biennial juried
exhibitions since 2003.
She received awards of excellence in the realm of Fine Art in
Washington and The Bahamas. In 2001 she was honored by Miami Children's
Hospital for her support of children issues through art.
She has exhibited extensively in the Bahamas and the United States of America since 1994.
She works on the Island of Grand Bahama island where she resides with her husband and children.
Chantal Bethel’s work will be exhibited in the “Summer Salon” art exhibition, opening on August 10th, 2012 at the ArtWay gallery, Vancouver B.C., Canada.
www.chantalbethel.com
The
ArtWay is founded and owned by Denna Erickson B.FA., B.Ed. is a
graduate of Emily Carr University and the University of Victoria. She
has also taught art professionally for 20 years. Erickson is a very
talented artist who’s work inspired and was used as the performance
backdrop for a Vancouver Island Symphony Concert. Canadian composer,
Allan Gordon Bell created Chiaroscuro after viewing Denna’s work.
Erickson is assisted by the very talented Sonya Iwasiuk at the ArtWay
Studios.
www.theartway.ca
