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June is Membership Month at the Niagara Artists Centre, which means there’s no better time to sign up or renew your membership. In this Q&A, one of NAC’s newest board members, Geoff Farnsworth, talks about how he became a NAC Member, who’s work inspires him, and the good vibes around the region.

When did you become a NAC member and why?
I became a NAC member when I moved to downtown St. Catharines three years ago. I was drawn here for the growing art scene and wanted to take the opportunity to become a part of a NAC initiated group studio. You had to become a NAC member to do so, so I was forced into it!  :)  But loving the community and all of the events at and around the NAC lately, so allll gooood!  ;)

Are you an artist, an art appreciator or both?
I’m an artist, art appreciator, art addict, art educator, art pusher, all of it, yep.

What’s the best thing about being an artist in Niagara?
There’s a growing scene in Niagara that’s been great to be a part of for the 8 or 9 years I’ve been here.  It’s small enough to really feel a part of a cohesive and sharing community. I started off in the Falls and relocated to downtown St K 3 years ago, and so am really feeling the vibe of the collaboration in the whole region. And it’s great to be so close to both Toronto and Buffalo. 

Name a Niagara artist whose work knocks your socks off.
There are lots of artists in the region who inspire and excite me, both in their work and approach to making it. One of the ones I most relate to in philosophy, aesthetic, and process is William Griffiths who’s exhibition of new work at opened at this past weekend.

Tell us about a memorable NAC experience.
There have been a lot of memorable NAC experiences for me with showing my own work both solo and in a group setting, seeing the work of both artists I’m familiar with and new surprises, and great music events. The last couple of Small Feats shows have been a blast especially.

What’s the number one reason to become a NAC member?
Becoming a NAC member really plugs you into this art scene that has really taken off in downtown St. Catharines and the rest of the region. NAC’s really helping to showcase so much of it and drive it forth. There’s such a strong unity and collaboration between the NAC and the rest of the scene too, that being a NAC member really has one beccome more involved in a full sense beyond just on St. Paul in downtown St. Catharines. And so many more exciting projects are brewing riiiiight nowww!