Exhibitions

David Switzer, sculptor

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ARTICLES DE PRESSE et COMMENTAIRES

STANDARD FREEHOLDER NEWSPAPER

Bringing art out of the basement

Published on Oct 1, 2007 – Page 1

Sculptor David Switzer holds a match similar to the 35,000 used in the

Flagship model sitting beside him. Switzer’s work was on display at the

Cornwall Regional Art Gallery as part of the annual Apples and Art studio

and heritage show over the weekend. Oh, the wonders David Switzer

can do with a single matchstick. Now just imagine what he could do

with thousands and thousands of them.

Switzer, 56, was one of the featured artists for the annual Apples and Art studio and heritage show over the weekend. His pieces were shown at the Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, where they will remain until Nov. 9.

Some of his pieces took years. One in particular, a massive ship made entirely of matchsticks (and a bit of wool, some glue and glaze), took him three years to complete.

When Sylvie Lizotte, executive director of the Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, first met Switzer, she wasn't sure about the matchstick idea. Switzer approached her and said: "I'm an artist - I think - and I'd like to show you some of my stuff." But Lizotte admitted when he said "matchsticks" she immediately thought of popsicle stick art. Then she saw "Shania Thin" a creation of Switzer's that plays on country singer Shania Twain, but is a taller, thinner version, which she believed resembled a character from the 1993 stop-motion film "The Nightmare Before Christmas." "It's one thing to be able to do replicas," Lizotte gushed. "But when I saw her, I loved it - it's so creative ... Shania Thin is 100 per cent pure fantasy."

The Apples and Art tour, Switzer said, has helped him get noticed. Switzer was a new addition.

"I'm a bit of a recluse by nature," he admitted. "This is the only art tour Cornwall has, so it was a good idea for me to start with something like this."

Quite a few people walked into the Pitt Street gallery and many approached Switzer in admiration of his work.

One piece, a replica of the Old London Bridge, he said, took him six months to complete. He dabbled away at it daily, burning and breaking matchsticks, gluing and glazing until he finished another masterpiece. Switzer said he started as a young child building matchstick ships from kits, until he got "bored doing other people's work." He branched out and has started doing figurines and other creations.

The Cornwall Regional Art Gallery will host a grand opening of Switzer's works on Oct. 11, however he is currently showing at the gallery now.

SEAWAYS NEWS, OCT 19, 2007

Page 28

Toronto’s David Switzer—originally from Kingston—creates art using burnt matchsticks. And every piece is stunning. From replicas of trains and massive ships, to a Ferris wheel, elephants and Mr. Peanut, each piece takes him countless nighttime hours spent typically over a month and more to create. He is pictured here with a replica of the Atlantic’s 19th century ship “The Great Easterner.” He spent approximately 8 months and about 14,000 complete or pieces of matchsticks. His art will be exhibiting at the Cornwall Regional Art Gallery until November 9. Photo by Heather Antoine ht.

C.Visual Arts Trip

On Tuesday Oct. 16th, 2007 and Thursday Oct. 18th, 2007 the Grade 12

AV 4M0 and Grade 11 AVI 3M0 Visual Arts classes visited the

Cornwall Regional Art Gallery to see the work of local artist

David Switzer. The show entitled, "Perfect Match" included

sculptural works of various sizes all made entirely of matches.

The artist himself was on hand to discuss his work, making specific

reference to his inspiration and his creative process. The students

were amazed at both the quality and variety of work produced.

CCVS Visual Art wishes to thank both the artist David Switzer,

and C.R.A.G curator Sylvie Lizotte for putting together a great show.

SEAWAY NEWS, FRIDAY, January 16, 2009 pg.5

Artists represent SD&G

Article online since January 20th 2009, 11:35

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It was announced recently that Debbie Gilmer, creator of Celtic stoneware pottery and sculptor David Switzer were selected to represent the SD&G region at the Eastern Ontario Artists Marketplace at the 2009 Spring One of a Kind Show in Toronto. Mr. Switzer who creates his matchstick sculptures in his studio in Cornwall, and Ms. Gilmer, whose pottery studio is in South Mountain, are two of 24 artists and artisans in Eastern Ontario who were chosen for this opportunity. The Eastern Ontario Artists Marketplace is part of an initiative to help artists and artisans access a larger market for their work and to bring attention to Eastern Ontario as vibrant area for the production of art and fine craft.

Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton–Kawartha–Brock, announced a Government of Canada investment of $125,000 for this initiative.

“Today’s announcement reinforces our government’s commitment to support the artists and artisans that contribute to the economic prosperity of Eastern Ontario,” stated Barry Devolin. “Not only is this funding an essential part of our government’s vision for a stronger, more diverse economy, it is also an important investment that will help strengthen our regional economy.”

The funding was provided through the Regional Fund of FedNor’s Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP), managed by the Eastern Ontario CFDCs Network Inc. The EODP promotes socio-economic development in Eastern Ontario by creating, building and developing the necessary conditions to increase business and employment opportunities in the region. Funding and support for the EODP is delivered through the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) located throughout Eastern Ontario and the Eastern Ontario CFDCs Network Inc. The Haliburton County Development Corporation, one of the 15 Eastern Ontario CFDCs, is coordinating this initiative.

“Our government will continue to make strategic investments that contribute to the long-term prosperity of the people living and working in Eastern Ontario,” stated the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor. “I look forward to the positive impact this investment will have on the long-term development of a sector that is important to the regional economy.”

The $125,000 of funding is being used to provide tools for artists and artisans to help them access a larger market for their work. This includes running a series of Market Readiness workshops that took place in eight communities across Eastern Ontario in October and November 2008; providing an opportunity for 24 Eastern Ontario artists and artisans to show and sell their work in a special Eastern Ontario Artists Marketplace at the 2009 Spring One of a Kind Show at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto; and, bringing attention to Eastern Ontario as vibrant area for the production of art and craft and to rural Eastern Ontario communities as art destinations.

“The Haliburton County Development Corporation is delighted to be able to work with the other CFDCs in Eastern Ontario to provide tools for artisans and artists to expand the market for their work,” said Barb Bolin, vice chair of the board of directors of the HCDC. “The continued development of the creative economy is vital to the economic growth of communities throughout Eastern Ontario. We are very encouraged by the tremendous response we received from artists and artisans that are excited to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Jim Blake, project coordinator announced the artists who have been chosen from the 15 CFDC regions to be part of the Eastern Ontario Artists marketplace at the 2009 Spring One of a Kind show.

The One of a Kind show is Canada’s largest and most prestigious retail show for fine craft in Canada. The Eastern Ontario Artists Marketplace at the 2009 Spring One of a Kind Show will highlight the work of 24 artists. These artists were chosen from 125 applicants from across Eastern Ontario—a region covering the area from Lake Simcoe to the Ottawa River and from Lake Ontario to Algonquin Park.

FedNor is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners, as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.

FedNor’s Community Futures Program supports 61 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) located throughout rural Ontario. CFDCs offer a wide variety of programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth. These community-based, not-for-profit organizations are staffed by professionals and are each governed by local volunteer boards of directors familiar with their communities’ needs, concerns and future development priorities.