Category: Artists 2023

David Todd

74 Johnson Avenue, Markerville – West of the Church

I’m lucky to be able to live in Markerville with my own home studio. This will be our fifth year hosting Artists on the Avenue on the front lawns of our homes on Johnson Avenue.

Since moving here, I’ve finally gotten to offer a wide range of functional work in many different styles of pottery. Using electric kilns, a gas kiln and a raku kiln there is bound to be something that you would like to take home.

There is quite a selection of bowls, cups, plates, trays, mugs, and kitchen utility pieces in both high- and mid-fired clays.

To help you remember your visit to our hamlet, Markerville souvenir mugs are offered in several different designs.

Winter offers a great opportunity for the making of my art pottery creations which are displayed in the gallery and yard. Drop in, you never know what you will find!

Otter Pottery | 74 Johnson Avenue, Markerville, AB
403-638-5177 | otter@otterpottery.com

Aims Abson

at Fensala Hall on November 2nd and 3rd only

This year I am excited to bring my new creations to the 2024 July long weekend Artists on the Avenue Market!

I’ve spent the time since last year’s market working on some new creations that have been so fun for me I didn’t want to stop working on them!

This year I’m happy to offer light as air earrings I’ve created in my own special designs. From butterflies to flowers, to trailers like my own wonderfully decorated Trillium trailer that I covered in flowers. I’ve created little trailer earrings covered in flowers for those of you who are into camping or just like to dream about being on the go!

I’ve also created some new silverware designs with beautiful patterns I’ve embedded into the metal while rolling a spoon bowl out nice and thin. I discovered the possibilities as I went along and that is how I came up with my next new creations!

Car Windchimes! Created from a spoon bowl and fork tines, these windchimes come with colourful ball chain to dangle them from the arm of the rearview mirror. Get into some scary driving? Just give them a flick and let the sounds of the chimes let you Keep Calm and Drive On! Or – hang them anywhere! Their beautiful little chimes will make you smile every single time!

I look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s market and am eager to share my newer (and older) creations with you!

Big Blue Barn Designs | bigbluebarn@gmail.com

Continue reading Aims Abson

Robert Braun

at Fensala Hall

Wood turning has been Robert E. Braun’s passion for the past twenty years. Born and raised in a Northern Ontario lumber town, he developed his love of wood early in life. And, inspired by a craftsman he met in Greece who was turning his olive wood vases out of a store front studio, he was intrigued by the whole process of turning.

He prefers to turn while the wood is wet or “green” to allow it to distort and find its own shape. In addition, Robert has made over 30 of his own cutting knives. As the wood turns on the lathe, the grain patterns emerge and the adventure begins. It piques his interest to see what lies within.

Each piece he turns is chosen for its creative potential, making use of such features as burls, spalt, and bark inclusions. This ensures a unique creative result. One of his greatest pleasures is searching for exotic wood on his travels.

Bowls, vases, wall platters, and urns are examples of his work. Carving caricatures is another one of his passions.

Bob’s Woodturning
abbraun55@gmail.com | bobsworld53@gmail.com

Hilda & Kristy Gamble

at Fensala Hall

Our names are Hilda and Kristy Gamble, a mother/daughter duo that has spent many hours taking classes, going to and running quilt retreats, learning and practicing our skills through fun, and now also teaching others. We play with both yarn and fabric.

Our yarn play has us create items such as slippers, mittens, hats, scarves and afghans of different sizes, weights and colors. Our fabric play has us create items such as placemats, hotmats, table runners, centrepieces, children’s books, table cloths and wall hangings.

Then there are the quilts! From small baby quilts to couch throws, twin quilts and sizes on up, there are always several quilts on the go. We create what we are inspired to as well as items we are commissioned to make for those who have specific wishes but perhaps neither the time or the skills to do their own.

We offer our creations for sale to others through markets, word of mouth and the occasional on-line posting. We are also happy to donate items several times a year, on our own, as well as through the two crafting groups in our area that we belong to. We like to think of our donations providing a smile or a warm hug to the recipients from someone in their community who cares.

We run quilt retreats and classes throughout the year, please contact us for details.

The Stitchin Nest at 22 Birdwalk
403-559-4536 | Loppe@xplornet.com

Annette Gray

Pick up a copy of Annette’s new book,
“It’s About Time- A Memoir”

Annette Gray is a Canadian born writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. She has numerous published short stories and newspaper articles to her credit as well as eight books: Butterflies In The Dark, Mountains and Moonbeams, Twisted Heart; Twin Hearts; Rearview Mirror; Journey of the Heart–a true story; Westport’s Tarnished Star–in defense of Johnny Behan; and Keep The Peace At All Cost.

“My father, a quiet, unassuming man, was a great mentor. He taught me to believe in myself. ‘You can do anything you set your mind to,’ he used to say. Under his guidance, I became a writer with hundreds of articles and short stories published in the USA and Canada.”


Graytwest Books by Annette Gray
janegray@telus.net

Vern Steinbrecker

I was raised on a farm north of Hanna and spent most of my life in Calgary, employed in the agricultural field and construction.

My wood turning started about 17 years ago as a personal hobby. After 7 years of building skills, I eventually began showing my work at the Farmers’ Markets around Calgary.

I moved to Sundre, Alberta in 2018 and retired a few months later. I still do a bit of wood turning but am expanding and trying different wood working.

I regularly take part in the Sundre Farmer’s Market and a few other markets; I have to keep busy!

VJS Turning