LAZARUSI STUDIOS

“OLIPHOREST TREE BIRD”, acrylic on wood, 36″ x 16″

The following is an article published in the “Wiarton Echo” Newspaper on April 16,2008:

“Oliphant artist wins ‘Visionary Award’ “

Spring is in the air, and the art is coming out of the woodworks. Local Oliphant artist/designer Lazarus Ioannou has emerged as a creative force to watch, as he has just introduced himself in a grand way to the Bruce/Grey community.
This past Friday April 11, Laz presented his recent artworks at the Southampton Gallery as part of the 6th Annual ‘Feast for the Eyes’ foodbank fundraiser and juried exhibition for emerging artists in the greater Peninsula area. Not only was he asked to represent the event in a live interview on ’98:TheBeach’ radio earlier last week, he was also honoured with the jury’s coveted “Visionary Award”, chosen from over 150 submissions. It was especially coveted by Laz, as one of the judges represented the historic ‘Tom Thomson Gallery’ in Owen Sound. Thomson is a true Canadian legend that inspired the Group of Seven.

“Artist Laz at Southampton Gallery, ON. 2008 with his ‘Visionary Award’ winning painting ‘Oliphorest Tree Bird’ and ‘Peninsula People’.

Joining Laz at the gala was his fiancé Michelle Secord ( of Merth Body and Beauty spa ), as well as a large contingent of friends and fans from Oliphant, Wiarton, Owen Sound, and Saugeen Shores, such as the Gildner’s, Nanni’s, Hickey’s, Bond’s Whyte’s, and Sylver’s. It was a great night for the local Food Banks since the price of admission was a donation to them, as well as a great night to discover one of our lesser known natural resources: art and culture. Laz is a true supporter of this part of our heritage and has even recently uprooted his life in the ‘big city’ to be a part of it.
Lazarus is now looking forward to becoming a bigger part of the Southampton Gallery and Art School along with manager Aly Boltman’s brave and optimistic new direction, as well as promoting our local artistic and cultural values. “Being honoured by a solo show at the Tom Thomson Gallery wouldn’t be bad either”.
Lazarus Ioannou of ‘Lazarusi Studios’ can be reached at 519-534-5346 or emailed at lazarusi@sympatico.ca for a home-studio tour or information regarding his art or design.

“PENINSULA PEOPLE”, acrylic on papier mache on wood, 16″ x 30″