The 5 to 9 Group, an eager group of ten London artists, is once again ready to help art lovers escape the 9 to 5 day job melancholy. Today the group announced the dates and location of their third annual art exhibit. The venue – same as the past two events – is The ARTS Project (www.artsproject.ca, 203 Dundas Street, London, Ontario). The exhibit – featuring new works in photography, mixed media and painting – will commence with an unveiling reception on Tuesday, February 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Each member of the group will be in attendance at the reception and each piece of artwork will be available for purchase. Admission is free and all are welcome. The exhibition will continue through to February 6.
The 5 to 9 Group came to fruition in 2006. At that time most of the group’s members were colleagues at the same 9 to 5 day job. Through water cooler chats and lunchtime banter, it was discovered that they all loved creating art in their spare time, though most had never shown their work in an exhibit. Fueled by each other’s art passion, they decided to take a leap of faith and show their work. The inaugural exhibit was held in February 2007, and the second in February 2008. Both were very well-received by London’s art community, and the group decided to turn it into an annual event. “Back when we started the group we had no idea that it would turn into an annual exhibit,” says Lisa Jenniskens. “But our collective passion has kept us going, and now we’re busy putting the final touches on our new creations and preparing for our 3rd annual event! We’re looking forward to once again sharing our work with London’s art enthusiasts.”
Members of The 5 to 9 Group make a living during from their day jobs and follow their passion for art during the evening hours – hence their moniker. But over the past couple of years the members’ 9 to 5 day jobs has taken them in different directions and away from each other, but their 5 to 9 art enthusiasm has kept them and the group together, inspired and motivated. “Though we don’t see each other as often as we used to, creating art is something we’ll always have in common,” says Jim Gruber. “Every year we strive to make our work and the event different and better. We’re all excited with the way that our work has evolved this year, and can’t wait to unveil it on February 2nd.”
The ten artists in The 5 to 9 Group are Denise Antaya (Sutherland), Jim Gruber, Lisa Jenniskens, Betty LeBlanc, Jeff McClinchey, Richard Minns, Christina Nurse, Cheryl Radford, Anthony Vella-Zarb and Scott Woods. Their collective talents include photography, digital art, mixed media, oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings.
