The Hatching of a Seaside Art House.
The Kellie and April Connection.
I first met Kellie when she volunteered as the art director for Dave’s final film project for the York University Film Production Program. Her skillset and amazing creative problem-solving skills were immediately apparent, designing amazing set pieces, intricate props and special effects under the constraints of a hectic schedule and a virtually non-existent budget. We connected on that film set and our creative, work and friendship journey began from that point forward. Thanks for sharing your story Kellie.
The Hatching of the Creation Laboratory.
We had always talked about having an art space, April and I. For me it was recreating the magic which I had found working in the special effects labs in Los Angeles. A place where great ideas can be brought to life, through experiment and comradery. A place open for creative failures and triumphs, to inspire and share.
Stray Dog front gallery. Windows to the fruits of the laboratory. Shows, events and retail.
The Perfect Space for a Seaside Art House.
So when a series of events brought my daughter and I out to Nova Scotia it seemed that time and place had finally found their vertex for this genesis. We knew the" why?" but the "how?" and "what?" were still a mystery to be discovered.
In a 200+ year old building, situated in a small seaside town, we opened the doors of Stray Dog Art House in 2018. The challenge of "how?" had been set to rest.
Exclusive Halloween SPFX workshop.
Interestingly, the "what?" has yet to define itself, three years on. And perhaps the void of definition is the definition itself. It has given us the flexibility to morph to the occasion, tested of its strengths never more than during a world pandemic.
Stray Dog front gallery for shows, events and retail.
Necessity is the mother of invention and nowhere is this more true than in a creative laboratory. We have reconfigured our workshops and shows to include digital interactive formats and outdoor markets. We have bounced our limitations off the wall and found the loopholes. Now we take the loopholes and make them our inspiration for the unlimited possibilities to come.
Rearview perspective: workshop at the lab.
Harry Potter Art Camp. First project of day 3: build your own owl.
Workshops in the lab.
Building claymation characters for stop motion short films.
Film night in the gallery.
Stray Dog soap box cart. Designed and built in the lab. Raced at the Saltbox Derby June 2019.
Our outside booth during the MB Scarecrow Festival September 2019.
STRAY DOG ART HOUSE Offerings.
Stray Dog Art House is in transition due to Pandemic safety and restrictions.
Currently on offer/ coming soon…
• Online interactive courses
• Exclusive workshops/ retreats/tours
• Gallery events/ space rental
• Purple Monkey Mercantile- Retail