2026 - Artists on the Avenue

Red Deer Writers’ Ink

Whether you are starting your writing journey or a published author, you are welcome here. We are a supportive group who love to hear your stories and give gentle feedback if you so desire. We meet weekly, alternating from in-person meetings and zoom meetings. Writers’ Ink fosters respect, creativity and community.

Melanie Holland, President | 403-872-5210
rdwritersink@gmail.com

Carol Ritten Smith

Carol Ritten Smith was born and raised in Central Alberta, Canada. She feels blessed to have a son and daughter and numerous grandchildren living nearby, and that she lives on a buffalo ranch with her husband of over fifty years.

Jan Meadows Duffy

Jan Meadows Duffy is a retired Registered Nurse and Midwife who began to write her first novel and joined Writers’ Ink in 2021. She is currently completing the third book of a Historical fantasy trilogy, The Forest Calls, published under the pen name of Jan Meadows. Her love of English history, genealogy, healing plants and the incredible resource of her vivid historical dreams are evident in her writing. She has also developed an interest in writing poetry. She lives in Lacombe, Alberta when she is not sipping tea and roaming the moors of England.

Darrell Franke

I have always envisioned beauty in nature and our wonderful surroundings and love recreating them in a different light by painting on a canvass and bringing the scenery to a new life. My inspiration and motivation stems from the passion and creativity that I feel once that brush strokes the canvass. I choose to paint through my vision, sitting in front of a blank canvass to enable me to bring it to life as I see it through my eyes. My preferences are landscapes.

Many of us are currently in the work force and have little time to really enjoy and appreciate the beauty in nature. I am inspired to think that people can visit all of these destinations through my paintings and live within them. I enjoy the sense of noble serenity that you can see and feel in my paintings.

Envision and enjoy!

Bowden, AB | 780-904-0330
darell.frankee@gmail.com

Raevyn Berg

I was born and raised in Alberta and have spent the majority of my life surrounded by the enriching beauty that is our natural backyard. I am compelled to venture to the Rocky Mountains whenever I need a spiritual recharge. I enjoy every moment being in the wilderness, especially when I get the opportunity to sit by a flowing body of water.

My desire to be immersed in nature has made me an avid wildlife enthusiast, particularly when it comes to understanding the impacts people have on wildlife populations. I’ve spent hours and hours mesmerized by the behaviors and antics of other living beings on our planet. Painting animals has been one of my most rewarding subjects, as I love showing the expression of their soul through my art, as well as reminding people that they too, exist.

I’ve been painting professionally for a few years now and always pursue greater excellence as my style emerges and my artistic journey continues.

raevynberg@gmail.com

Karen Scarlett

Karen Scarlett is an interdisciplinary artist, working in pencil, watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, bas-relief, fibre and sculpture.

Scarlett often works with barnwood found at 100 year old homesteads where the elements have created a finish to the wood that only comes through the passage of time. Karen’s connection to agriculture was embedded in her from a young age. The prairies and flora and fauna have left an imprint on her soul that is often shared on the art mediums chosen to work on.

Karen grew up fifth generation on the family dairy farm west of Innisfail, Alberta. She has made art her entire life.

Creating has been a lifelong adventure and an important part of life for Karen. Art was practiced with Grandma Scarlett where she learned and important lesson – try everything. A love of power tools and creative design were honed with her Dad while hand-craft, sewing and creating with a sense of perfection were inspired by her Mom.

Karen takes her biggest inspiration from her love, Doug.

You can find Karen’s work in private, corporate and commercial collections across North America and in various spots around the globe.

Karen Scarlett Art | 403-803-0085
k@karenscarlett.com

Louise Goodfield

Louise is an award-winning poet and performer, a bestselling author, and poetry course leader originally from the UK, and now living in Red Deer, Alberta.

Her debut book, Plant Your Poetry: 365 Poems and Prompts to Grow Your Writing Habit was published in April 2024, becoming one of Canada’s most gifted poetry writing guides. Her second book, Plant Your Grief: 100 Poems and Prompts on Loss and Impermanence is now used by counsellors and grief experts, helping people around the world to navigate the rocky terrain of living with loss.

She has facilitated poetry and creative writing workshops here in Canada and internationally and her words and poems have been published in multiple anthologies, magazines and journals around the world. Louise has been writing one poem a day for around two years now with a loyal following of writers from across the globe where she guides and offers her support to those wishing to share their words. She is also the founder of ‘Your Book Doula’, where she supports independent authors to bring their book babies into the world! She is also the co-founder of Tandem Poets, a poetry collective elevating artists work through co-authorship and collaboration.

An extract of her poetic memoir, Learning to Fall, has recently been selected by Red Deer Arts Council to feature in their short story vending machine exhibit at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery and she was recently invited to perform at Red Deer Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

You can subscribe to her Substack or follow her on Instagram for daily prompts, writing inspiration and insight.

A Poet on the Road | Linktr.ee

Blair M. Thorson

Blair now lives in Spruce View, AB after many years in Whitehorse, YK. His only formal art education was in grade school giving him an appreciation of young students being exposed to art.

Blair was an Editorial Cartoonist for 6 years with Newspapers throughout the Peace Country, BC. He had over 800 editorials published and compiled select cartoons into a book.

Though Blair’s initial artistic experiences have been painting on maps and cartooning, he has found yet another avenue to express his artistic creativity. He first started Bark Carving since he moved to Spruce View and is thoroughly enjoying the new experience. The wood material is local and he is enjoying foraging for it throughout the year.

Blair M. Thorson | blairthorson.com

Marie Sveinson

Marie is closing her Grass Roots Art Studio at 36372 on Rge Rd 15 Red Deer County. PAINTINGS and SUPPLIES are on SALE. Her OPEN HOUSE is June 27 & 28 from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 pm both days. Grass Roots Art Studio is just a short 5-minute drive from Markerville!

Marie Sveinson, a lifelong artist inspired by her mother, turned her passion into the Creamery Gallery in 1985, where she showcased her work.

Her art is influenced by her Icelandic heritage and the historic charm of Markerville. She enjoys painting Animals, Historic Buildings, and Landscapes. Marie’s studio, Grass Roots Art Studio, is available for viewings by appointment.

She finds inspiration in capturing cherished memories through her paintings, reviving forgotten moments in people’s lives.

Grass Roots Art Studio | Google Maps Link

Reg Russell

After taking a few art classes as a child, I didn’t return to painting until retirement and the quiet days of COVID. Inspired by local artists, I found a preference for acrylic landscapes using two favourite styles plus my own.

My background in woodworking found its way into my art through handcrafted barn board frames for many of my pieces. When I’m not painting or working with wood, you’ll likely find me at a cribbage board — still hoping to get that 29-hand at some point.

Grandfather’s Canadian Wood Products
regruss@telusplanet.net

UPDATE: Moved to Fensala Hall

We are moving the sale INDOORS to Fensala Hall in Markerville! We’ll be set up inside at 24 Main Avenue, just not in the usual pop-up tents 🙂

Save the Date and join us in Markerville for our Art Show & Sale! And if you are an artist that creates original, hand-made artwork and would like to be part of next year’s annual event, jump over to our contact page and we’ll add you to the 2027 Invite List!