Local artist Xavier Fernandes has recently turned his attention to a new Orillia-based project ... and he wants the community to know about it.
“This past summer, 50 downtown trees needed to be removed, I assume due to safety hazards,” woodturner Fernandes explained. “I contacted the city and arranged to pick up portions of those trees so I could turn them into legacy bowls for our community.”
Fernandes’ Downtown Orillia Legacy Bowls project has turned into quite a big deal. In addition to OrilliaMatters doing a story about it, which was picked up by multiple sister publications, CTV news also gave the story some airtime, in October.
Thanks to this publicity and his own, Fernandes has over 100 pre-orders for the bowls. He has been working away on the legacy bowls in his Western Avenue shop, which is also where all the tree trunks are stored. “Space is tight, but I’m making it work,” he said.
Fernandes is excited for the unveiling of the bowls.
“On Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., I will be hosting a reception for the Downtown Orillia Legacy Bowls at Peter Street Fine Arts Gallery,” Fernandes said. “There will be some light refreshments, courtesy of Rind and Truckle, Mariposa Market, Brewery Bay, and North Simcoe life. I am also grateful to Steve Orr and Dapper Depot, and Rockwater Wealth, for sponsoring the show.
“The reception will be a chance for the community to see and touch some legacy bowls, and hopefully put in orders for bowls of their own.”
The Downtown Orillia Legacy Bowls are for sale for $50 each for the approximately 6-inch bowls, mostly made from honey locust trees.
There is an opportunity to order a bowl from the tree in front of the business of your choice, although that selection is not guaranteed to be available.
“Some trees were rotting, and some are more popular, therefore I don’t have unlimited supplies of bowls from each location,” Fernandes explained.
Fernandes looks forward to seeing the community at his reception.
“I am happy that people value the history and story behind these bowls,” he said. “These trees have been downtown for over 40 years. That is more than one generation who have been touched by them. I am pleased that I get to turn that into an opportunity for people to have a piece of Orillia’s history connected with their own memories.”
The Downtown Orillia Legacy Bowls Reception is happening Thursday December 5 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Peter Street Fine Arts Gallery, 23 Peter St. S. in Orillia. To pre-order a Downtown Orillia Legacy Bowl, contact Fernandes at [email protected] or 705-321-7987 (cell).
