Marina Dempster

A scarf can be many powerful things — an object of protection or ritual, a signalling device, an expression of beauty, a statement of purpose or that of resistance.

‘Sovereign/ties’ is a collection of Habotai silk scarves that serve as resonant tactile pieces of wisdom shared through the artful practice of each distinct maker. The title image by Sarah Foelske reminds us to just keep going, keep making, keep looking for the beautiful things that come of this time.

“Everything will be ok in the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end.” John Lennon

The Lyceum’s Artist in Residence, Marina Dempster, has curated a series of made-to-order silk scarves. This collective effort, which includes 21 female artists and makers, is a response to her intuition that the artistic impulse was advanced during lockdown. As the world paused, makers persisted and the resulting transformations serve as a reminder of the healing nature of artistic endeavour.

The Lyceum Gallery shop is now open!

In addition to artwork from the shows, you can purchase Sovereign/ties silk scarves for a pre-order price of $220 until Thursday, October 22nd. They will be custom made and lovingly packaged in time for pickup at the group show in The Lyceum Gallery November 26- December 2nd. A limited series will also be available for purchase at that time for $250 each.

Participating Artists

Jen Arron @jenarron.studio

Patricia Aziz @aziz.patricia

Marina Dempster @marinadempsterstudio

Julie Fader @juliefaderpaintings

Deborah Farquharson @debfarqart

Tanya Fenkell @tanyafenkellart

Sarah Foelske @makenicedesign

Christina Gapic @christinagapicphotography

Melanie Gordon @melaniegordonphotography

Danijela Gorley @danijelagorley

Jocelyn Hirtes @floriferous_office

Lindsi Hollend @lindsibeth

Nicole Kagan @nicolekagan_art

Kathy Kranias @kathykranias

Kara McIntosh @karamcintoshstudio

Christine Nnawuchi @nawuchi

Simone North @mostlymindfulmotherhood

Laura Jane Petelko @laurajanepetelko

Johanna Reynolds @johanna_reynolds

Holly Venable @intimationsoftime

Sara Wood @smockcafe

Our Artist in Residence, Marina Dempster, nabs the cover of Blank Spaces magazine for a story on her internship at the Lyceum. Blank Spaces is a tremendous promoter of Canadian artists and has featured several who’ve shown at The Lyceum Gallery.  Buy your copy of Marina’s cover issue on their website. Yearly print and digital subscriptions are also available.

“Every day is a prize and a surprise; an opportunity to create, innovate, curate, and collaborate, ” says Marina Dempster,  The Lyceum Gallery’s Artist in Residence. Marina is a sculptural fibre artist, she was recently featured on artfully.ca. In her interview she discusses the genesis of her career as a fibre artist and her role here at the Lyceum, where she is an art mentor to the Lyceum students.