Curling Artist Jayne Childs Tapped as Artist in Residence at The Fairmont Empress

I didn't know there was such a thing as a curling artist, but hey, this is Canada! The Fairmont Empress in Victoria has invited curling artist Jayne Childs to be its Artist in Residence in the hotel's historic conservatory, March 23-April 8, 2013. 

Childs' return to her childhood hometown of Victoria coincides with the 2013 Ford World Men's Curling Championships held at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in BC's capital city, March 30-April 7, 2013. The Fairmont Empress is the host hotel and silver sponsor of the championships. 

The artist's appearance includes the opening of her exhibition featuring a watercolour portfolio of curling champions. It also marks the official release of the first in the series of Limited Edition collector prints of curling masters from Canada and elsewhere around the world.

Curlers featured in Child's porfolio include Olympian Russ Howard, Olympic Champion Cheryl Bernard, Jeff Stoughton and many others. Her 40-year background of working in the trades as a union apprenticed drywaller to a set painter segued into embracing her childhood joy of art. Although she works in many mediums, from metal sculptures to graphic film, Childs' passion is watercolour and pencil-sketch portraits of curling champions.

"What started as a gift for her community has grown into a legitimate portfolio of portraits of curling champions, that was created to support and celebrate champions. Artist J. Childs nailed my character and likeness. I am honoured to have been her inspiration to create this portfolio, to do for the sport of curling, what has been done for so many other sports and their champions." Russ Howard, Canadian curler and Olympic champion

Childs exhibition of large watercolour portrait originals will be on display in The Fairmont Empress' Conservatory March 23-April 8, from 12-8 PM daily (except Easter Sunday). The Limited Edition collector prints are signed and endorsed by the curling champions and will be available for purchase. The Conservatory is located adjacent to The Bengal Lounge and may be accessed via the Victoria Conference Centre.