This was the second day of the 2020 International Plein Air Painters (IPAP) Worldwide Paint Out. The International Plein Air Painters is a blanket organization created for the sole purpose of advancing the execution and enjoyment of plein air painting without the restrictions and limitations of borders or regions.
I am a Charter and a Signature member dating from the fall of 2001. The horrific events of September 11th, 2001 prompted the creation of IPAP. Art is a universal language and we all benefit. The world needed the strong and positive response of art created outside and surrounded by nature.
The midday sun was starting to get warm so I headed into the shade behind the Spire after checking into the Paint the Town Office. I liked the shadows in the narrow lane behind the church. The minister rode his bike into the parking lot and asked if he could park his bike without messing up my composition. Of course it was all right but I was struck by his display of thoughyfulness and consideration.
I discovered that the Spire was "A BEACON REIMAGINED" when I searched for historical information regarding my subject matter. Churches have had to reinvent themselves to reflect the changes in society. The Spire was built in the 1850 as a Methodist Church. The building has always been open to serve everyone. The Spire is a vibrant community hub for the arts and non-profit groups, as well as serving as one of Kingston’s best performance venues. For more than 160 years, the magnificent historic building at 82 Sydenham Street has been a notable Kingston landmark. Open its doors on any particular day and The Spire is a bustle of activity and a seedbed for organizations both entrepreneurial and social. People of all ages, backgrounds, and convictions gather to celebrate the arts, to sing, to act, to dance, to find safe harbour and to learn together. Today, it is home to more than 20 not-for-profit groups, including the congregation of Sydenham Street United Church.
The Spire continues to transform and open its doors to ever-broadening uses and people; it has a renewed life as a welcoming place to gather within our community and an even stronger beacon of hope, inspiration, and joy. An open and accepting downtown hub, The Spire serves 1,200 Kingstonians weekly. From office space leasing to performance hall rentals, The Spire has something for everyone.
For this and much more art, click on Pixels. Thank you.
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