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A native Albertan and home-grown artist, Katherine Hicks’ love for the arts began with “Pierre Trudeau with Rose” while still a budding teen. Not until later in life, however, did that love take on a more structured form.

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After many joy-filled hours of exploration and workshops with instructors such as Susan Woolgar, Frank Haddock, and Rory MacDonald, her portfolio filled up with oils, watercolours, acrylics, printmaking, mixed media, pastels, and face painting.

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Although she enjoys the different mediums, an introduction to Encaustics (painting with molten wax and heated tools) plumbed the passion we are all born with, needing only a spark to come alive.  A sense of artist-self evolved through this luminous and intuitive art form which resonated deep in the Spirit.  This passion became life changing and birthed a desire to see more growth, not only as an artist, but also to share it.

More recently, she has favoured intuitive art, leaning to a more abstract realism form, loving the play with the different mediums which brings a joy to creating.

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 Katherine has been employed as a graphic artist, window painter for holidays and special events, contracted to the Town of Edson for adult and family art workshops, and children’s summer camps. She loves to hold art parties for life events, fundraisers, team building, or just a ‘something different’ for a night out.

When not painting, her spare time is filled with playing guitar with the Telford Strings for our Seniors around Leduc. She has plans to learn to play the mandolin.

“I joined the Leduc Art Club two years ago when we moved to Leduc as a way to join the community and met wonderful artists, enjoyed the workshops offered, and love the camaraderie in sharing skills. It is an exciting time, stretching and growing, finding different and unique ways to share creations of the heart,” said Hicks.

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You are invited to view Hicks’ artwork during the month of December, especially on December 8, for her Artist’s Reception at the Leduc Arts Foundry (LAF) in the Leduc Recreation Centre, from 7 to 9 p.m., to enjoy live entertainment and refreshments. 

The Leduc Art Club also present a monthly Members Gallery at the LAF, where on a rotation basis, members will show a sample of their artwork. The five December artists are Angela De Kort, Kristine Anderson, Kathleen Jackson, Rick Sluggett, and Jane Piercy. 

Being involved with the Leduc Art Club takes on many different forms such as the Leduc Arts Foundry Christmas Market on December 2, where you will have the pleasure of seeing the gathering of some of our local creatives. You will be sure to find something special.

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The Leduc Art Club is also involved with various projects in the Leduc community including the LAF’s free community drop-in every Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are welcome to bring in your choice of creations, be it paint, fabric, beading, etc. or just come and be social. They also assist with the LAF’s free teen drop-in on Tuesdays, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Did you know that there is a wonderful variety of talent in Leduc? Bring your family to the Arts Foundry on Tuesday evenings, for musicians, poetry, spoken word, rap, stand-up comedy, improv, and more. You can see for yourself at the LAF Open Mic Night hosted by the Melisizwe Brothers every Tuesday at 7 p.m. You are welcome to either perform or come and enjoy the show. No need to book, just show up.

Would you like to roll up your sleeves and get painting — not on the four walls, but something to hang on them? With the new year around the corner, why not consider becoming a member or make a special request for a class or gift to someone who’s been wanting to try it out? Gift certificates are available.

For more information on our art related activities and upcoming events, please visit www.leducartclub.com.  There’s something for all ages and abilities. You don’t want to miss a thing!

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