Exhibition: The Neo-Celtic Art of J. Caz Bentley

We invite you to the opening event of the J. Caz Bentley exhibition on June 10, 2022, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Opening night guest is Irish born singer, songwriter and story-teller, Michael Kelly Cavan. Enjoy the foot-tapping music while viewing the gallery.

And, David Rankine, celtic henna artist, will be on hand to adorn you with a free henna design.

This is a free event. Donations are gratefully accepted. Desserts, coffee and softdrinks available. Please register to RSVP.

This exhibition features the woodblock prints and wood engravings of the late J. Caz Bentley. Prints are available for purchase.

See note below regarding the location of Neruda Arts Studio

PRIVATE VIEWING: Art will be displayed in our gallery until June 30. Private viewings of this exhibition can be arranged. Please contact Isabel at ‭(519) 502-9677‬ to book an appointment.

J. Caz Bentley (1960 – 2015)

J. Caz Bentley was an artist who worked in several mediums - stained glass, ceramics, silver point, painting, wood/stone carving and wood engraving.

His many wood engravings, influenced by Irish history, are stylized Neo-Celtic designs, depicting the many animals represented in the traditional art of the Middle Ages. Much of his inspiration can be attributed to the years he spent as Alasdair of Raasay in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), a medieval recreation society. Sword in one hand, a chisel in the other, he never stopped creating.

Originally from Kingston, Caz completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts/ Classical Studies) at the University of Waterloo in 1988 and a Bachelor of Education (Visual Arts/History) at the University of Western Ontario in 1992. At the time of his death, he was teaching at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate, and left behind a legacy of students, who through his teaching, were encouraged, inspired, and enlightened.

Michael Kelly Cavan

Michael Kelly Cavan is a Canadian musician, singer-songwriter, born in Ireland and raised by his immigrant parents in North Bay, Ontario.

It was during his formative years that Michael found a love of music and his own Irish Tenor voice, first as a young choirboy and then as a singer and guitarist in the Irish pub scene.

Michael has played in several rock/pop bands including a stint in Ireland with an Irish showband. He has performed as a sing-a-long piano player on a tourist train (the Polar Bear Express), has graced the stages of Massey Hall, the El Mocambo, the Horseshoe Tavern, Hughs Room and various other venues.

Michael has sung the Irish National Anthem (in gaelic) in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto to kick off the St. Patricks day celebrations and frozen his fingers offwhile playing on a float in the Toronto St Patricks' Day parade for several years.

With his singing, playing, storytelling, lyrical tenor voice and gentle wit, Michael continues to provide heartwarming and foot-tapping entertainment wherever he finds a stage.

Website: michaelkellycavan.com

Facebook: michaelkellycavan

David Rankine

Over the last 35 years artist, musician, writer and educator Dave Rankine has been at the forefront of the Celtic Art revival. His exquisite and distrinctive mandalas and illuminated pages have been collected internationally. David's art skills extend to the living canvas of Henna application.

David has released a number of books- some fiction and other manuals on mandalas and their applications in the healing arts. As an educator he teaches art and music to students of all ages. His musical experience (solo and with his band Dulcimerhead) is a mirror to his visual art with a heavy empahsis on improvisation and creative exploration. He has recorded 10 albums of original music.

How to find Neruda Arts Studio

Our address is 8 Spring Street, but our entrance is located at the back of the building and is accessed from the parking lot located off Albert Street West, between the St Jacobs Playhouse Theatre and Hamel Brooms.

Parking: Please note that parking is not permitted behind the St James Evangelical Lutheran Church. There is on-street parking on King Street, plenty of free parking at the large public parking lot at the corner of Albert St East and Water St.

Public Transportation: Grand River Transit bus stop is just one block away at King and Front Streets. The route is #21 from Conestoga Mall to Elmira.