Latest news with #Cottages
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Sam Gilliam: IMMA exhibition underlines impact of Irish visits on output of US artist
Sam Gilliam was an American abstract artist who revolutionised the display of work in gallery spaces. Draping unstretched canvases from the ceilings, and arranging industrial fabric on the floor, he blurred the line between painting and sculpture, and helped shape the development of installation art in the 1960s and '70s. Gilliam broke ground also by becoming the first African American artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale in 1972. By the time of his passing, aged 88, in June 2022, he had enjoyed any number of public commissions and major museum shows across the US. Although Gilliam is not as well-known on this side of the Atlantic, he visited Ireland in the early 1990s, and was greatly moved by the experience. His stay is commemorated in Sewing Fields, the new exhibition of his work curated by Mary Cremin and Seán Kissane at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham, Dublin. 'When we first started talking about this exhibition,' says Cremin, 'I met Gilliam's widow, Annie Gawlak. She came to IMMA and told us about how Gilliam had completed a three-week artist's residency at the Ballinglen Art Foundation in County Mayo in 1993. 'Gilliam normally worked on large canvases with petroleum paints, but he wasn't allowed to bring those paints on the plane, so he dyed and painted fabric and sent it on ahead to Ballinaglen. And when he got there, he worked with a local seamstress to collage pieces of the fabric together, so they're kind of stacked on top of each other. You'll see one of those pieces in the exhibition, it's part of a series of four called Cottages. I think the experience was quite transformative for him.' Gilliam was one of the many international artists who have spent time in Ballinaglen with the support of the arts foundation established in the early 1990s by Margo Dolan and the late Peter Maxwell, who owned a prestigious art gallery in Philadelphia. The foundation runs workshops, residencies and fellowships, along with education and outreach programmes and a museum of art. 'It's this amazing place in the middle of the village,' says Cork-born curator Cremin. 'People like Howardena Pindell, who we've shown at IMMA, and Jo Baer, who was very influenced by the archaeology in the area, have all done residencies there. It's very interesting that Ireland has had a real impact on these artists, and a real resonance with them in terms of art making.' Down Patricks-head, by Sam Gilliam. When Cremin began work on the Sewing Fields exhibition, she discovered that Gilliam had once shown in Dublin. 'In the early 1970s, he had a solo exhibition with a gallerist named Oliver Dowling, who passed away just last year. Dowling was a maverick, and quite an influential person within the arts in Ireland. He helped set up the ROSC exhibitions. But it was news both to Annie and to us that Gilliam had ever exhibited in Ireland. We don't think he came over for the opening, but everyone involved is dead now, so it's not possible to say for sure.' Gilliam was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1933. 'Growing up where he did,' says Cremin, 'where there's a massive cotton industry, he was probably seeing a lot of quilting and that type of making. We have an exhibition of quilts from Gee's Bend in Mississippi on at IMMA at the moment, and we know that Gilliam had several Gee's Bend quilts in his own art collection. There's a correlation between this idea of stitching and layering, telling narratives through the fabrics, that I think is referenced in his work as well.' In Gilliam's youth, his family migrated north. He studied art at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and then settled in Washington DC. 'He was part of the colour field movement, with people like Kenneth Noland. They made minimal abstract paintings. But later on, he made works that were much more three-dimensional, or sculptural, and he started really playing around with the paint, scraping, stitching and layering. There was really a lot of improvisation. 'He was very interested in jazz as well. Improvisation is very important in jazz, of course, but it's also very important to the kind of way he worked. There were no limitations in terms of how he worked with paint or with the canvas. He was very liberated.' Gilliam came of age during the Civil Rights Movement in America. 'That was, very obviously, hugely important to everyone,' says Cremin. 'And for Gilliam, being a black artist coming up at that time was a big deal, because it was predominantly white males in the art world. He wasn't making work that was overtly political, he was making art for art's sake. But that said, he was very involved in the establishment of the Studio Museum in Harlem, and he was part of a very important exhibition called X in America. 'And also, I guess he does engage politically, in that a lot of his paintings are called after significant black figures, like Martin Luther King. There's one piece in the exhibition here called Count On Us, which is this beautiful three-coloured canvas that's referencing when Obama was voted in as president. It was a very aspirational and very exciting time. So, he referenced politics in a different way.' Mary Cremin, curator. Sewing Fields was organised in collaboration with the Sam Gilliam Foundation, which is run by the late artist's family. 'Gilliam was very supportive of young black artists, and his foundation has continued that work,' says Cremin. 'They also collaborate on exhibitions such as this, ensuring that Gilliam's work is shown as he would have liked. Some of the work in Sewing Fields has never been shown before, and some of the technicians who'd been with Gilliam since the 1980s came over to help with the installation. 'It's only two years since Gilliam passed, but I guess it's important for his work to continue to grow, and for people to have an increased awareness around him. In terms of contemporary Ireland, this is not just the first time he's been shown here since the 1970s, it's his first museum show here as well. Many of these works have never been exhibited before, and many people are travelling over from America to see the show. It's really exciting for us.' Gilliam's time in Mayo may have been brief, but the landscape had a big influence on his work, says Cremin. 'Even towards the end of his life, he was making these really large paintings, with thick impasto, he called Downpatrick Head and Irish, County Mayo. As Annie says, he always referenced back to his time in Ireland.' Sam Gilliam, Sewing Fields runs at the Irish Museum of Modern Art until January 25, 2026. Further information:
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cottage owners stuck in paradise as market slams to a standstill
An Ontario couple in their 60s, ready for the next phase in their lives, found their perfect next move. Unfortunately, they came up against the realities of the cottage market in the province. David (whose surname has been withheld to protect his confidentiality) and his wife put their waterfront cottage on Catchacoma Lake in the Kawartha Highlands for sale in the spring of 2023. The couple decided to sell their two-acre property and purchase something smaller, more accessible and easier to maintain in their retirement. They found a $600,000 flat lot with no stairs that suited their needs, close to both shopping and medical facilities, in the idyllic community of Bobcaygeon. 'We were looking at the downsizing aspect of it and transitioning into our next phase of life,' David said. The couple purchased their old cottage in 2004 for $500,000. It benefited from steady price appreciation over the past two decades, while renovations, such as a finished walk-out basement, docks and a waterside bunk house with a hot tub, added to the property's value. The problem was that they couldn't find any serious buyers for the place, which they first put up for sale at $1.6 million. David ended up taking the listing down in fall of 2023, tried with another real estate agency, and met with the same results. David and his wife are not alone in finding themselves up against a tough recreational property market in Ontario. This cottage market is at a standstill, suspended by growing economic concerns among buyers and sellers, according to a 2025 REMAX cabin and cottage trends report. Year-over-year prices have fallen across half of all regions covered in the report, with declines ranging between one and 20.3 per cent. I had to refinance and carry two places. It was a nightmare A cottage owner on the difficulties of selling their property This is especially true in areas like Niagara-on-the-Lake, Peterborough County, Northwestern Ontario, Orillia and Grand Bend. Growing inventory and declining demand from cautious would-be buyers is leading some sellers to slash their prices or hold off — while others who overpaid for cottage life during the COVID-19 pandemic and can no longer afford it are taking major losses, real estate agents say. 'The pandemic buying period had sort of died off, and so we had a few tire kickers,' David said. 'We did start at a pretty high price, and we did knock that down a bit, and still no takers.' Toward the end of 2023, David decided to start a Facebook group called Cottages For Sale in Central Ontario to increase exposure to his cottage and put the listing up through another real estate company again. He finally got an interested buyer who reached out through the Facebook group in March 2024, and ultimately purchased the property for $1.2 million in November. But David said the selling process was long and arduous. 'I had to refinance and carry two places,' he said, adding that he gave the buyer two extensions on the closing date. 'It was a nightmare.' The Kawartha Lakes area has seen some cottages languishing on the market for well over a year, according to Alex Blenkarn, a real estate salesperson at eXp Realty, based in Peterborough. 'In 2025, there have been more new listings in the first six months than there were in 2021 for the entire year,' said Blenkarn. Blenkarn said statistics from the Central Lakes Association of Realtors showed 404 new listings in the Kawartha Lakes area in 2021 and 851 new listings in 2024, with 437 new listings in the first half of 2025. The sales data isn't any more promising. About three-quarters of sellers sold their waterfront property in 2021, but only a quarter sold in 2024. Blenkarn said this means listings that didn't sell in previous years are crowding the market along with new listings this year. 'It's basically two different sellers feeding the pool, and it just creates a snowball effect of oversupply.' You've got to be struggling financially to take a $300,000 loss Alex Blenkarn, a real estate salesperson based in Peterborough Some owners are selling their cottages due to appreciation, especially if they've owned their cottages for over a decade. But there are also sellers who snapped up cottages in the first couple years of the COVID-19 pandemic when they were able to work remotely and are now realizing they are not getting the same use out of the property, Blenkarn said. 'It's costing more than they're benefiting from the cottage.' As a result, he's seen five listings sell significantly below their original purchase price this year. One three-bedroom cottage sold for $735,000 in April — a 33 per cent loss for the previous owner who purchased it in 2021 for $1.1 million. Staycations are back, so why are Canadian cottage sales slumping? As Canadians ditch U.S. real estate, some predict a flood north 'You've got to be struggling financially to take a $300,000 loss,' Blenkarn said. 'Nobody wants to sell for a loss like that.' Blenkarn said he is also seeing cottages being leased out and up for sale at the same time, an indicator that the owner is having trouble affording the property in the interim. David said his Facebook group, a forum for people to post their cottages for sale, has swelled to reach more than 18,000 members. 'You can see the prices being knocked down daily on people's cottage properties,' he said. 'Unless it's a perfect property at a reasonable price, nobody's buying.' Just south of Algonquin Park, Haliburton County is seeing a flood of cottage listings enter the market. They're not selling for what their previous owners hoped for. 'So far this year, we are down in all the places that are good for buyers,' said Barb Williams, a real estate agent at Baumgartner Realty Group, based in Haliburton. Williams said Haliburton cottage prices are down 11 to 13 per cent in the three months between March and May this year, compared with the same period last year. Sales have also plunged by about a third compared to last year. She noted that those who secured five-year mortgage terms in 2020 are now facing higher mortgage rates as they go up for renewal. Others paying off mortgages on their primary residence may be anxious about the economic outlook and affording two home loans at the same time, Williams said. Haliburton's short-term rental bylaws also mean that some cottage owners have to make expensive updates to bring their properties up to code, such as new septic tanks, for example, which can set them back tens of thousands of dollars. 'When you're already struggling with higher interest rates, and you suddenly have to find $20,000 and then you go to take equity out in your house (to pay for the update), it's not there,' said Williams. Williams has seen sellers lose as much as 20 per cent on their cottage homes — but noted this isn't just in comparison to how much they originally purchased the property for, but also how much they invested in it, such as renovations to turn it into a short-term rental. 'I keep telling (sellers to) hold on to them if you can because you're just going to take a loss.' On the other hand, overflowing inventory and declining prices means buyers now have the luxury of choice. 'We're fully rooted in a buyer's market now,' Williams said. 'We're sitting at about 10 months of inventory, almost 11, (and) generally anything above six months is a buyer's market.' Charles Layton, 44, said he has scoured hundreds of cottage listings over the past 15 years. Layton, an in-house lawyer for a tech firm, and his spouse are based in downtown Toronto. He said they started seriously looking at purchasing a cottage last year as the city can get hectic and they wanted a family cottage to take their young kids to on the weekends. 'We only recently amassed enough savings to make a purchase realistic and with the COVID-fuelled cottage boom subsiding and interest rates on the decline, it felt like the right time,' Layton said. 'Having a place on the water where we can enjoy nature feels like the Canadian dream.' In April, Layton and his spouse closed on a cottage in the Kawarthas with cedar walls and waterfront views. It was also winterized, which meant they could enjoy the property year-round, justifying the costs, he added. The cottage was listed for $1.975 million, but Layton and his spouse were able to negotiate a lower price after an inspection found a few issues with the septic system and oil furnace. 'We likely would have been able to get it for even less if another buyer hadn't been vying for it.' Layton said the market has definitely softened and now is a good time to buy. 'Listings are plentiful and many of the cottages are taking a long time to sell,' he said, noting that during the pandemic, many buyers were purchasing properties unseen or were forced to make hasty decisions. 'We were able to bide our time and make a careful decision.' However not all Ontario cottage markets are performing the same way. Muskoka, a long-time haven for city dwellers characterized by many higher-end recreational properties, is still seeing demand. According to the REMAX report, the average Muskoka cottage price in the first quarter of 2025 inched up by one per cent year-over-year to hit $990,000. Sales surged by 29 per cent compared with 2024. 'I keep hearing a lot of doom and gloom out there, but that's not what we're seeing,' said Heather Scott, a real estate agent with Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. based in Muskoka. 'There is a lot of confidence in the Muskoka market.' Scott said between May to June there were 33 waterfront sales in the Muskoka Lakes area, with 15 sales under $2 million and the rest over $2 million (with two more than $15 million each.) Still, she said the market certainly looks different than it did five years ago. 'During COVID, people were buying anything that was waterfront,' Scott said. 'Now, quality matters.' Scott said cottages with ideal locations, good road access and higher-quality waterfronts that aren't weedy and marshy are more popular among buyers. Cottages that are in poorer condition but priced too high are taking longer to sell. She has also noticed fewer buyers are purchasing properties with the intent to convert them to short-term rentals — a major trend during the COVID-19 pandemic. Royal LePage's 2025 recreational market report found 36 per cent of Ontario recreational property brokers reported a decrease in the number of buyers who intend to use these properties for rental purposes. And about 19 per cent of Canadians who are selling a cabin/cottage in the next one to two years say that they no longer see the investment potential of a recreational property, which is influencing them to sell, according to the 2025 REMAX cabin and cottage trends report. The same report revealed there is significant demand for waterfront properties, followed by access to recreational activities such as skiing and water sports, larger lots with green spaces and good Wi-Fi. In the Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton, real estate agents said more buyers are gravitating toward smaller cottages for about $500,000 to take their families on the weekends, as opposed to million-dollar mansions on the water. John O'Rourke, broker and owner of Royal LePage Lakes Of Muskoka Realty, said May sales trended slightly below a 10-year average and properties are staying on the market for about 45 to 60 days, which he said is fairly typical when comparing to pre-pandemic numbers. 'During COVID, it was six days,' O'Rourke said. 'But if you look at historical trends, it's really just a return to a normal market.' O'Rourke said he is seeing financially well-off buyers of between 40 and 50 years old with families enter the market. 'We're starting to see some generational wealth transfers, where the parents are leaving money to prospective buyers, too.' Conrad Zurini, a REMAX broker for Niagara-on-the Lake, said that area has also seen inventory accumulate. He said this is likely due to declining interest in border towns and cross-border travel amid the tariff war with the U.S., plus the costs of maintaining and preserving a heritage home. But Zurini suspects the market could bounce back later in the year, as many buyers are waiting on the sidelines for prices to fall further. Affordability isn't a major concern for most cottage buyers. Blenkarn noted it's a recreational market for secondary properties, so they aren't considered a 'need' compared to most single-family homes. 'The people that are purchasing these secondary homes are generally well off, in one of the top income brackets,' he said. 'A lot of them have that equity in their primary residence.' So, while it may be a tough time to sell in many cottage regions, it could also be an ideal time to buy, for those who can afford it. 'I don't think I've ever seen a better market for buyers,' said Zurini. 'I don't think you'll see long-term rates going any lower for the foreseeable future.' • Email: slouis@
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Wales Online
Ten of UK's most popular pet-friendly destination ranked
Ten of UK's most popular pet-friendly destination ranked Crantock has been named the most popular pet-friendly staycation spot The Cornish village of Crantock has been named the UK's most popular pet-friendly destination by a UK staycation specialist. Known for its dog-friendly beach and selection of eateries that welcome four-legged friends, Crantock was crowned number one after having the highest proportion of bookings on Sykes Holiday Cottages that included dogs, with New Quay in Ceredigion and Rhosneigr on the Isle of Anglesey rounding out the top three. Carnforth in Lancashire and Newborough, also on the Isle of Anglesey, complete the top five locations with their canal walks, beaches, and woodland areas offering travellers plenty to do with their canine companions... Top 10 pet-friendly staycation spots: Crantock, Cornwall New Quay, Ceredigion Rhosneigr, Isle of Anglesey Carnforth, Lancashire Newborough, Isle of Anglesey Beadnell, Northumberland Filey, North Yorkshire Cardigan, Ceredigion Nefyn, Gwynedd Amble, Northumberland Crantock, Cornwall A dog-friendly haven for holidaymakers, Crantock in Cornwall offers year-round access to its stunning sandy beach where dogs can roam freely. The village also boasts several pubs and cafés, such as the Bowgie Inn, which welcomes four-legged friends and offers free dog treats to keep them content. Travellers looking to explore Crantock with their dog in tow can stay at Tresawle, a quaint detached holiday home which sleeps six. Complete with two sitting rooms, a woodburning stove, and comforting interiors, the property inspires calm. And for the pooches, there's a lawned garden to explore. New Quay, Ceredigion The second most pet-friendly staycation destination - New Quay in Ceredigion - has several beaches that welcome dogs, including Traeth Gwyn. With coastal paths and a relaxed seaside atmosphere, New Quay is any dog's dream holiday. Owners can make the most of the local cafés and pubs, including The Cambrian, many of which happily accommodate pets with outdoor seating and water bowls. For a great base in this pooch paradise, try Ty Ni, a contemporary six-bedroom property resting close to the centre of New Quay and which welcomes two pets. There's plenty for the whole family to enjoy at the property, with pottery classes available to book, a selection of board games, and even a private chef for hire. Rhosneigr, Isle of Anglesey Dogs and owners alike will be in their element in Rhosneigr, a village located on the Isle of Anglesey, where canines can explore beaches like Traeth Llydan and Traeth Crigyll with their stretches of sand and rock pools. Nearby, Beaumaris Castle welcomes dogs on its ground floor and to refuel after a busy day, holidaymakers and their four-legged friends can head to popular restaurant, The Oystercatcher, where dogs are permitted both inside and out. For a place to rest your head, there's Bryn Tirion, a welcoming holiday home from which guests can glimpse the Anglesey coast, with the dog-friendly beach of Traeth Crigyll just a short walk away. After a day exploring the island with their furry friend, holidaymakers can relax in front of the woodburning stove, settling in to watch their favourite film together. Carnforth, Lancashire With easy access to a variety of countryside and canal walks - and a selection of pooch approved pubs and cafés such as The Canal Turn - it's no wonder Carnforth in Lancashire has been named a dog-friendly staycation destination. Home to coastal spots like Morecombe Bay, travellers can take their pups for a stroll along the sand before indulging in an ice cream. Accommodation options include 1 Netherbeck Barn, a unique holiday property that adjoins to a railway branch, allowing guests and their dogs to watch the steam trains go by. The pretty stone-built property has all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, including a games room with snooker and air hockey tables. Newborough, Isle of Anglesey Newborough on the Isle of Anglesey is a dog-friendly gem, with Newborough beach and forest offering a sandy shoreline and woodland trails to explore. While some restrictions apply during peak summer months, much of the space remains accessible to pets year-round and the village also has welcoming cafés and picnic spots. Gwel y Rhos, a characterful, stone-built property situated a few moments away Newborough, is an ideal base for a pooch-perfect staycation. The property seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary, with exposed beams that frame the sleek, modern furniture. And, being all-ground floor, its super convenient for dog owners. Beadnell, Northumberland Beadnell in Northumberland is a dog-friendly coastal village known for its wide, sandy beach where dogs are welcome year-round. The area also has an array of pet-friendly pubs and cafés, such as The Craster Arms, which offers a warm welcome to furry companions. Filey, North Yorkshire The dog-friendly seaside town of Filey is home to scenic clifftop walks along the Cleveland Way, perfect for a long dog walk. For the foodies, there are several pet-friendly restaurants and pubs such as The Brown Room, which is famous for its fish and chips, a staple when by the sea. Cardigan, Ceredigion With its mix of coast, countryside, and canine-friendly amenities, Cardigan in Ceredigion is a prime staycation destination for even the pickiest pooch. The town boasts dog-friendly cafés, riverside walks, and attractions like Cardigan Castle where dogs are allowed in the grounds with their owners. Nefyn, Gwynedd Nefyn in Gwynedd is the perfect location for dog owners to explore. The coastal village offers stunning walks along the Llyn Peninsula and stretches of the beach are dog-friendly too. What's more, the popular eatery of The Cliffs also welcomes canine companions and has beautiful sea views to take in while enjoying some classic pub grub or a pizza from their impressive selection. Article continues below Amble, Northumberland Amble in Northumberland is also wonderfully dog friendly. The town boasts several beaches which allow access to furry friends, including Amble Links and parts of nearby Warkworth Beach. Many local cafés, pubs, and even boat tours welcome four-legged companions, making it easy for visitors to explore the area without leaving their furry friends behind.
