Arlene Christmas is an oil painter and graphic artist
living in Membertou. She was from a Maliseet tribe in New Brunswick
and moved to Cape Breton when she was married. With respect to training,
Arlene did not take any art courses during her secondary schooling,
however, she has taken various courses from the Nova Scotia College
of Art and Design in different fields. Arlene has also studied graphics
privately and is now training to use photoshop programs.
Oil medium paintings is a seasonal work for Arlene and
during the off-season her work concentrates more on graphics. A difficulty
Arlene has is trying to finance training and equipment for her work.
Exposure is another problem as she feels there is a lack of opportunity
in Cape Breton in the fine art field. Arlene's work gains much more
exposure in Toronto and Ottawa as she finds there is no market for
native fine art in this province.
In terms of income, only a small portion is generated
from Arlene's artistic work. Her work is more of a sideline for the
family rather than a main source. Most of the income from her work
results from gallery shows as well as taking her work outside of Cape
Breton for sale. Arlene distributes to shows for native artists in
addition to annual art exhibits in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.
She does not distribute to many areas within Cape Breton. Some of
her work is sold in Membertou, Center
Bras D'Or as well as some companies and business on first nations.
Her supplies come primarily from Halifax and a small portion is ordered
from the U.S.
Although Arlene has not yet shown her work at
the U.C.C.B. Art Gallery, she believes that the gallery has been very
beneficial to artists whom have shown. Arlene feels the art industry
in Cape Breton has seen improvements and changes due to the gallery
at U.C.C.B., Insight Gallery and Centre Bras D'Or.
