VISUALLY SPEAKING
A RETROSPECTIVE OF PHOTOGRAPHER DICK GROOT Anna Horsnell
Dick Groot sits quietly in a chair. He takes his time absorbing the carefully chosen images hung on the gallery walls around him, a retrospective of his 65 years as a photographer. He pauses occasionally, remembering the stories, the people, and the places, and he is content. From KODAK BROWNIE to SMARTPHONE is his artistic journey, a very special show currently on exhibit at ArtCan Gallery in Canning. A Dutch-Canadian, Groot grew up in Amsterdam during World War II and the years of recovery that followed. “For me, photography began in 1954. In my third year of secondary school, I discovered that there was a photo club and the magic of photography changed my life.” The lovely companion catalogue to the exhibition provides this and many more intimate memories and insights from over the years, including Groot’s move to Wolfville in 2002. Here he would build a lovely studio overlooking the dykes and Cape Blomidon from where he could finally turn his full attention to photography. That would include publishing several books, including Come from Away: Artists of Minas Basin (2004) and We Wanted it to Last Forever (2015). Indeed, Groot’s photography and writing have recorded poignant times in our local culture and history. All of these things have resulted in a rich creative life deserving recognition. What have the years taught him? “I was educated as a survey engineer. I liked to be outside and I have enjoyed what I have seen of the world, especially Canada, but I did not like the work all that much,” he explains, “I learned that I am an artist at heart and I feel very fulfilled in that. In my photography I have learned that less is better. There should be a simplicity in what you want to say in your images, not easy to do.” The nature of creativity invariably exposes an artist and their work to scrutiny. Groot mirrors that thought, “You know when you get complimented and made to feel successful by people, and in the back of your mind is this little voice whispering, ‘wait until they find out what a lousy photographer you are,’ but then there is the truly wonderful, deeply satisfying feeling of having made a fine print.” In the end, the artist’s own creative nature, that desire to make art, propels him forward. “I just did my photography and let it take me wherever. I am very happy and fulfilled by it, and I learned to look at the world like a photographer.” ArtCan Gallery owner and artist Ron Hayes and his assistant Leah Visser have done a masterful job in hanging the show. “We are very pleased to present another exhibition of Dick Groot’s photography,” Hayes smiles while sharing. “His first show at ArtCan Gallery was in 2004. This new show is even larger. We hope everyone can take the time to visit us and enjoy it.” From nearly 1000 images, 60 were selected for this exhibition. An emotional choice for Groot, prompting him to turn the decisions over to curator Becky Parsons who thankfully agreed. She chose well, often surprising Groot in her determination. The photos range from several of Groot’s very first photos taken as a young student to more recent work taken on a smartphone, reflecting the changing technology. “This is a beautifully rounded exhibition of Groot’s photo artwork,” says Parsons, “where you’ll see an interlacing of the four major themes that have inspired the artist throughout the years: Abandonment, street, landscape, and portraiture. The unique way this work is
CRYSTANY’S BRASSERIE CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS Submitted
Crystany’s Brasserie in Canning is celebrating five years in business on June 28! It’s an achievement for the family, who have lived in the community for 39 years. Opening the first certified dedicated gluten-free restaurant in Canada has been an adventure since the beginning. “Our 18th-century building was gutted and brought back to life,” says owner Savannah Maxner. “We found hidden treasures from previous business owners, which hang on the wall upstairs. Our top hats tell the story of a local business lady, who imported hats. The bar is made from the original wood from the second floor. Our red leather benches came out of the United Church in Wolfville, which is known as the Church Brewery today. Those are just a few of the hidden treasurers housed inside.” The decision to focus their menu on gluten-free cuisine was a personal choice for the family. “In our family there are three of us who suffer from eating gluten and understood how hard it was to dine out and order a meal that was not always a salad or fish dish,” explains Savannah. Their menu is an achievement they’re proud of and the restaurant is even visited annually by a certified inspector to make sure they have indeed purchased all gluten-free products and that the restaurant is up to health and safety standards.
exhibited gives emphasis to how these themes have overlapped and remained a steady muse for Groot’s entire photography practice.“ With this pause and reflection on his work, Groot now looks forward. “Next is to stop making these large shows but to have smaller more intimate work, maybe in innovative ways of display. Also, I want to get more into making books myself, small elegant books that combine photography with well thought out texts printed on beautiful material. I am interested in typography and want to pursue that.” He thoughtfully continues, ”I want to add that both Elisabeth and I feel blessed to be in Nova Scotia, Wolfville in particular. There is a human dimension in the broadest sense that fits us to a T.” A retrospective is a unique and not-to-bemissed opportunity for both artist and gallery visitor. Here is the passage of time in the artist’s life and work gathered in one space. Much can be learned, such as reoccurring or evolving subject matter, maturing style, and ability. Here also are the images themselves caught in that decisive moment of light and composition and emotion to which the artist draws our attention. And, most certainly, here is the accomplishment of a serious photographer. The final words belong to Groot himself in a quote from the exhibition catalogue: “I photograph light disguised as objects in the street, in portraits, and in the landscape…I hope that my love for this art form comes through in this show.”
❧ The exhibition From KODAK BROWNIE to SMARTPHONE, My Journey in Photography continues to July 3, 2021 at ArtCan Gallery, 9850 Main Street in Canning. Anyone wishing a personal viewing and discussion with the artist at the gallery may arrange a private time to meet him by calling 1-902-670-3218. Photos courtesy of Dick Groot.
The restaurant truly is a family affair: mother, Crystal, father, Tim, and daughters Savannah and Britany, all play a part in creating the restaurant’s unique menu and environment: “As a family-owned restaurant, you can find each one of us at one time in the dish pit, on the line, serving, cleaning, and always engaging with our staff and customers.” “For the last three years, we have local musicians play Friday nights. Even during Covid, we did what we could to help and support them, when we were open to the public,” says Savannah. “We still have one of the best rooftop patios in Nova Scotia, which overlooks the Habitant River in all its beauty.” They’ve taken their role in the community to heart—donating to various organizations, including the Canning Food Bank and the Canning Fire Department, and in the last year, the family business has really seen community support come their way as well. “When the first round hit and we had to shut down and be open for take-out only, the communities around supported us and we were able to keep our doors open, which we were very grateful and thankful for,” says Savannah.
“Everything at Crystany’s is made in house: desserts, pickles, sauces, pasta, buns, pizza dough, and English muffins,” says Savannah. “We source all our products locally, which allows us to change our menu seasonally, at least twice a year. Our wines, ciders, and beers are also from local producers, along with organic wines from around the world and gluten-free beers.”
Despite the challenges, the family is still as dedicated as ever their passion: “The focus of the restaurant and why it was created has never changed,” says Savannah. “It was created to offer those with celiac disease a safe place to come and enjoy a beautiful meal with their family and friends and to educate those who are not celiac about what this disease is about and the damage it does to one’s health, and to educate individuals that when food is prepared correctly without gluten, that you will not notice.”
“Over the five years we have had many popular dishes, including our homemade beer-battered fish and chips, hamburgers, and sandwiches, along with any of our made-fromscratch desserts,” she says. Moving into the summer season, local lobster, scallops, and lamb will start to pop up on the menu.
And despite the constraints of life during the pandemic, Crystany’s Brasserie is ready to celebrate. They will be celebrating the anniversary with the launch of a new line of swag, specials over their anniversary weekend, fun ways to engage with our customers via social media, and opportunities to win some prizes.
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THE FLOWER CART GROUP CONTINUES BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES CAMPAIGN New facility will cost approximately $5.8 million Wendy Elliott
Work With Purpose: 50 Years of Supported Training and Employment in the Annapolis Valley sets out the history behind the New Minas centre. Author Jim Prime has set down many of the personal stories that led to the creation and growth of the social enterprise and vocational training centre, which makes it a good read. The Flower Cart is about 75 per cent of the way toward a state of the art, purpose-built, and accessible new facility. After five decades, all of the social enterprises and programming will be under one roof not too far from current headquarters. Campaign co-chair Ramona Jennex says persons with disabilities and complex barriers to employment are ordinary people who have relationships, families, dreams and aspirations just like all of us in the community. “The Flower Cart Group provides an inclusive place and opportunities to realize dreams and work
towards goals by providing meaningful vocational programs and real waged employment.”
❧ To learn more about the campaign and to make a donation, visit flowercart.ca/ building-opportunities Photo courtesy of Wendy Elliott
AVRL NEWS: STAYCATION READING COULD EARN YOU PRIZES Angela Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library Summer reading helps your children keep their reading skills sharp while school is out, and if you already love to read, why not track your reading and win prizes with our Summer Reading Challenge? We have 4 levels this year: Pre-Reader (ages birth-4) Readers (ages 4-12) Teen (ages 12-17) Adult (Ages 18+)
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Each Challenge is tailored to the age group, and has activities embedded in the Challenge in addition to reading: activities you can do right here at home in Nova Scotia. Here’s how it works: Online registration begins June 1and the Challenge begins on June 26. Sign up by June 30 and be entered into our Early Bird draw. We’ll be giving away a Nova Scotia Museums Family Pass and LED Rainbow Lights. There
will be surprise draws all summer long! Read for 20 hours to complete the Challenge this summer. For every hour you read, you will get 10 tickets to spend in the Prize Buckets. When you complete the Challenge, you get 50 extra tickets! There are also fun activities which earn you badges and 1 extra ticket each. There are grand prizes that ages 4+ can enter to win. This year we are giving away a Nintendo Switch, LEGO gift card, and an online Book Outlet gift card.
Tune in on June 26 for our Summer Reading Challenge launch, with prizes and a Zoom magic show! All summer we will offer Take & Make kits, Virtual programs, Activity Packs, and surprise draws for fun prizes. Get ready to READ! Visit our website at valleylibrary.ca for details and registration.
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