Down this historic alley in Victoria, British Columbia, there is a door to my past. Yesterday, I strolled along on a quiet January Monday rubbing shoulders with the ghosts of time.
Sure enough, the name of my favourite art teacher is still on the door of his old studio. For a moment, the door opens in my mind.
We shuffle up the steep steps with our portfolios, arrange ourselves elbow to elbow on the easels provided. We take off layers and visit companionably while we wait for the model. I search the room to see if I can discern what this brilliant teacher has been painting this week. The room is crowded but organized for working. There is the scent of charcoal dust, oil paint, wax and old brick building. Warm lights shine on the platform in the middle of the room and the space heater glows. Then, just as the model takes her first short pose and the teacher gives us his instructions in brief, often unfinished, sentences… the image fades.
The door reappears. Solid. Closed as a tomb entrance to a treasure buried in a past life.
Glenn Howarth 1946 – 2009
Glenn Howarth taught seminars and courses at art schools and universities across Canada after he graduated from UVic’s Visual Arts program. In 1987, he began the Victoria Drawing Academy in his studio in Fan Tan Alley. Howarth participated in both group and solo shows across the country and represented Canada at the Sao Paulo Biennale in 1982 and at Expo 86. (UVic legacy gallery)
I am so ever grateful to have taken several classes with him in the early 2000s. He refined my understanding of what happens between our subject, our bodies as the artist and that of the viewer in profound ways that I am still exploring.
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Creative Potager 
Terrill — I love the photograph of the tight walkway between buildings. It evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Oh this street definitely has some mystery and intrigue Laurie! The alley was originally a gambling district with restaurants, shops, and opium dens. Today it is mostly a tourist destination and still has many small shops. It is the narrowest street in Canada. At its narrowest point it is only 0.9 metres (35 inches) wide. It was designated as a heritage property by the local government in 2001. (reference Wikipedia where there is also a bit more info about the street)
Oh my gosh, how COOL is that?!
Yeah, pretty cool alright. Except in the rain with a big umbrella to try and keep your portfolio dry in that narrow alley which is often stuffed with visitors even in the evening. Then a person wishes it was just a wee bit wider.
Terrill — Yikes! I can definitely see that.
What a lovely tribute your former instructor!
Thank you Sheryl. He is deeply missed. Often, I think about what it would be like if I could bring him seven to ten of my recent paintings to discuss.