Behind the Scenes of our Tête-à-têtes
There will be eight tête-à-têtes along Front Street painted with beautiful designs by local artists and sponsored by local businesses this summer. We sat down with the artists and sponsors behind the chair sets to get more insight into their designs.
Lighthouse
by Patricia Blackburn, Sponsored by The Richmond Retirement Residence
Where: Between Flowers by Dustin and Quinte Living Centre
Patricia:
I have always loved art throughout the years. Visiting cities for their historical significances, museums, galleries, etc. It wasn’t until 2003 that I found Gourt Art and enjoyed the process of crafting art from an organic medium. I still pursue art and enjoy mixed media, specifically resins, acrylic and watercolours. My inspiration for the design was Belleville being on the Bay of Quinte and how every waterway should have had, at one point in time, a lighthouse, since Canada had over 750 lighthouses. They also always pose a pretty sight to paint. I think that the tête-à-têtes will be fun to look at and lend itself to the vibe of Al Fresco. Extra seating to sit and relax plus enjoy a snack or meal.
The Richmond Retirement Residence:
The Richmond was built in 1984, and was one of the first retirement residences in the Quinte Area. We are a dedicated staff of 35 and take pride knowing our residents feel they are part of our extended family. We have evolved with many changes over the past 37 years and will continue to strive to give our seniors a place to call home. We think the chairs will add a sense of community, relaxation and companionship to downtown. We love this design because the Lighthouse symbolizes strength, hope and safe haven.
Belleville Vibes
by Autumn Davies, Sponsored by McDougall Insurance & Financial
Where: UpFront Gallery & Home Store
Autumn:
As a little kid I used to sit and colour for hours on end, which sparked my interest in art, making me want to start drawing. Since then, my skills have been improving and I’ve begun moving on to bigger and brighter forms of art like painting and digital art. I use art as a form of coping for stress and anxiety, or even just to make time pass. I also love art because it’s a form of expression and language. For my design, I took all the things I love about Belleville and put them into colour and something that would still look appealing to the eye but yet still look simplistic. I think all the beautiful designs of the tête-à-têtes will add a lot of colour to the city. They will possibly inspire others to be creative and unique just like the designs themselves, and I’m hoping they spread some positivity around during these hard days.
McDougall Insurance and Financial:
McDougall Insurance & Financial is celebrating 75 years in business. With 39 branches across Ontario, McDougall Insurance & Financial is the largest insurance brokerage in Eastern Ontario providing expert service in personal and commercial insurance, as well as financial services. All of the designs were so vibrate it was difficult to choose just one. We chose a bright design that we feel everyone will be naturally drawn to. We are happy to support our local communities and we feel that tête-à-têtes will be an inviting addition to the downtown core for residents and tourists alike.
Belleville: A Vision of Colour
by Abbi Solomon, Sponsored by École élémentaire publique Cité Jeunesse et École secondaire publique Marc-Garneau CEPEO.ON.CA
Where: Gals n Guys Hairstyling
Abbi:
I am a high school student currently in Grade 9. I have always been interested and passionate about art and crafting. I am a competitive swimmer, and spend many hours training each week. When Covid-19 hit, I was not able to train with my friends, and my routine changed immensely. Like many of us, I was bored in lockdown, and needed an outlet for my creative energies. I experimented with new types of art and techniques. Designing this large project gave me something to do while in lockdown, and I was overjoyed when my submission was chosen. One day walking in Zwicks Park, I noticed I could see the City Hall and the downtown core from the path. Seeing these buildings became my inspiration. Their unique architecture and historical significance seemed perfect for the tête-à-tête chairs. I like to work in graphic, bright and bold colours, and these buildings seemed perfect. I feel that the tête-à-tête chairs will add colour and a lively feeling to the downtown area. They will provide a welcoming spot for people to sit down and take in the sights of the streets of Belleville.
École élémentaire publique Cité Jeunesse et École secondaire publique Marc-Garneau:
Cité Jeunesse and Marc-Garneau are French public schools located in Trenton, Ontario that welcome students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 from Frankford to Brighton, Madoc to Stirling and everywhere in between. This design captured our attention because of the vibrant colours and its representation of Bellevillle’s beautiful downtown core. We are proud to participate in this wonderful initiative that will offer a spot to rest for Belleville residents and tourists alike. Bienvenue à notre belle région!
Tú y yo
by María Moreno, Sponsored by Complete Bookkeeping and Taxes
Where: Crepe Escape
María:
As mainly a self-taught abstract artist, I follow my own instincts and thus develops my own style. My artworks are always full of texture, contrast and passion. I was born in the Canary Islands, a land of chimeric landscapes and grew up in Venezuela, a fascinatingly beautiful country. Both places have deeply influenced the use of shape and colour in my work. I immigrated to Canada in 2014 and now live in Belleville. I was mainly inspired by the idea of the Yin and Yang, my artwork “Tú y yo” (You and Me) is a combination of both, a sense of dualism but also an interconnection between two persons sitting and enjoying some time together. The tête-à-têtes will add, without any doubt, joy, colour and sense of community to our beautiful downtown. The perfect addition to enjoy an awesome Al Fresco summer, filled with art!
Complete Bookkeeping and Taxes:
My name is Lynette Thibeau and I have worked for myself for about 15 years. I have been preparing income taxes for 25 years. I have a home office and outside of the pandemic have an assistant during tax season. I pride myself in being able to explain taxes to people who say they will never understand taxes! Outside of my business I sing, play piano, teach piano lessons, direct choirs, act in local theatre and travel. My own personal Yin and Yang! I was drawn to the colour of Maria’s design as well as the Spanish connection. I have been studying Spanish for 8 years. I like that it aligns with the Yin and Yang concept we often see in art. These sets will add colour and connection to downtown. I enjoyed last year’s patios and art displays multiple times. We all are craving our friendly, intimate relationships and connections. We see lots of people every day, at the store, in our workplace, but the tête-à-têtes are EXACTLY what we are missing. “Face to Face”. Catching up, hearing about the kids, hearing about trials and accomplishments, laughing and supporting each other.
Aqua-Tropic
by David V. Alexander, Sponsored by Doug’s Bicycle Sales & Service
Where: La Favorita
David:
For more than three decades, I have been involved in the local arts community, teaching and participating in group shows, solo exhibitions and theatre set painting. Painting is a means of communication through which I express my world view most passionately and naturally. The theme of my chair design was frankly inspired by the vibrant palette which was proscribed by the Belleville Downtown District BIA for the project. For me the colours themselves called for sea life, creatures that inhabit tropical reefs and exotic aquaria; thus, “AQUA-TROPIC”. It is my opinion that the colourful chair designs, once completed, will create welcoming, friendly and hospitable settings where visitors can sit, relax, and enjoy a more festive downtown atmosphere.
Doug’s Bicycle Sales & Service:
Doug’s Bicycle has been the Quinte area’s premier community bike shop since 1978 and continues to bring the best that the cycling world has to offer right here to Belleville Ontario. Offering a full range of bikes, accessories, repair service, fitting, and consultations Doug’s Bicycle is here to support you, no matter what kind of riding you do. The Aqua-Tropic design really stood out to us as it is very bold and colourful, and the fish invoke a sense of movement and free flow to the piece. We thought that this design would look really cool from the street and would draw attention. We hope that these chairs will provide a splash of colour downtown throughout the summer, and will promote thoughtful conversation, connectedness, and a much needed sense of community after what has been for many a long period of isolation. We hope that it will inspire artists to continue to reimagine many spaces downtown and throughout our community and we hope that more of these projects will pop up in the future.
By the Bay
by Cynthia Solomon, In Loving Memory of Margaret and James McLaughlin
Where: Sans Souci
Cynthia:
I have been interested in art since I was a child, asking for lessons and always drawing. Throughout the years of raising children and moving across this wonderful country and working, I took art courses whenever I could. I have been a member of the Belleville Art association for many years and have always found inspiration and enjoyed like minded friends in that organization. My inspiration for By the Bay came from a photo I took as I sat in our campsite in Presqu’île Provincial Park enjoying the outdoors and the sounds and sights of the bay. We are all missing the quiet pleasures of being able to sit face to face with friends in public places over a cup of tea/coffee. I think the tête-à-têtes will give us the opportunity to do just that. We can catch up on what has been happening in our lives and enjoy being together. I trust that businesses that have had to be closed will see their customers return to the downtown and make it a vibrant place again.
Rian McLaughlin:
My parents were long term residents of Belleville. My Dad from the age of about 9 and my Mom as a young woman attending Ontario Business College. While we moved away from the area when my Dad was accepted to university and ultimately became a teacher, we returned to Belleville in 1971 and have called it home again ever since. He taught at BCI, but spent the rest of his career at Centennial. My grandfather was a partner in McDougall Insurance and a friend of Lorne McDougall Senior so our roots in the area are long and strong. My Mom’s family were Irish immigrants to The County in the 1930’s and my Mom had great affection for her adopted home of Canada. She would be known to many as she worked, for many years until her retirement, at the Licence Bureau – starting with where O’Neil’s Stationery used to be, on to the Maze Mall downtown, and then on College Street. Downtown was always a fixture in their lives including the Farmers’ Market. The design of By the Bay popped out right away for me as my parents and I always loved the water and shorelines and spent many hours enjoying The Bay and the Waterfront Trail. From picnics to coffee to exercise on the trail, it was a comfortable and loved area for us to visit. I could just see them sitting together in the tête-à-têtes enjoying the water, sunshine, and nature. It just felt ‘right’. I hope the tête-à-têtes will provide people with the opportunity to spend a bit of time downtown, enjoy the new and the old of it, and support the growing, small, local businesses that are calling downtown home. And maybe it will inspire some reflection of the past and hope for the future.
Company of Others
by Rich Gaudreau, Sponsored by Brady Clark Advisory Group – CIBC Wood Gundy
Where: Century Village
Rich:
I do work full time for the military, but I would say I am most definitely an aspiring artist. I’ve been doing some form of art from as far back as I can remember. From drawing on desks to making album covers for bands. I love art because everyone in some way, shape or form likes it for their own reasons that aren’t always directly related to the reasons of the individual who created it. My inspiration for the tête-à-tête design was trying to make something whimsical that had multiple characters like a little community. My style is a bit odd for some, I know, but I feel like it still conveys a visual message of fun with the bright colours I use. I think the tête-à-tête’s will bring conversations about Downtown Belleville, as well as might make a social media impact with how eye catching they will be.
Brady Clark Advisory Group – CIBC Wood Gundy:
Brady Clark Advisory Group is a full service wealth management team at CIBC Wood Gundy in Downtown Belleville. From our own private office, our group services high net worth clients and their families; managing wealth, providing planning advice and ongoing strategy guidance. We chose the comical, fun design because we thought it was unique and looks like the toothbrush family from the old Kaptain Kangaroo cartoons. The tête-à-têtes will provide a place for people to interact. After 15 months of lock-down – any interaction sounds like a good idea to us.
Family Trees
by Jan Coombs, Sponsored by The Salon
Where: The Salon
Jan:
When I retired from a career in education 20 years ago, I was looking for something fun and creative to do. I began with a course with artist Jeannette Campbell and I was hooked! It just gives me such pleasure to create art and provides an opportunity for life long learning. I also love the social aspects and belonging to the Belleville Art Association, getting to know many friendly members with similar interests. A few years ago I began a series called Poet Trees in which I experimented with semi abstract tree designs in acrylic and collage. My love of painting trees continues and hence my “Family Trees” submission came naturally. The tête-à-têtes will add colour, interest and creativity to downtown! I was part of the parklet team last summer and it was fun creating the parklets – I think they made a big impact downtown. So this idea is an extension of the creative initiatives which are helping to beautify downtown Belleville again. It is exciting to be involved!
The Salon:
My name is Jenna Patane, Owner of The Salon. I began hairdressing straight out of high school, and I’ve been in this industry for 22 years now. I worked under renowned stylist and businessman Sal Longo, for 11 years prior to taking over his beautiful salon in downtown Belleville. Since then, I’ve slowly renovated both inside & out, to give it my personal touch. 2019 brought an expansion to include a portion of the second floor at 180 Front Street.
The Salon offers a full range of hairstyling services including haircutting, colouring, and a wide variety of hair extension methods. I chose Jan’s design, Family Tree, as it reminds me of my journey with The Salon. Always a family-run business, I was honoured to take over The Salon in 2015 and carry on its legacy in downtown Belleville. Over the past 6 years, my team has grown from 8 to 21 team members. And just like family, we support each other when times are tough. We discuss important topics as a group & offer each other advice. We’ve really watched each other grow! I think these tête-à-têtes will not only create a comfortable seat while enjoying take-out, and provide shade for those wishing to relax and take in the beauty of Downtown Belleville, but the bright colours and handmade designs will create a feeling of happiness and optimism following tough times this past year has presented us.