Dart Wars: The Art Awakens

Sci-fi fans, movie buffs, and just about everyone else on the planet is eagerly awaiting their chance to return to the galaxy far, far away this weekend, with the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Those same folks, as well as art lovers and buy local supporters, got to whet their Star Wars whistle a little early, thanks to a new exhibit celebrating the saga at The Dart Gallery on Portland Street.

Dart Gallery owner Jane MacDougald usually likes to plan her themed exhibits, where she makes calls for submissions to the local art community, around something current, and right now, nothing’s more current right now than the new Star Wars sequel’s imminent release — in the hearts of some, it’s probably even beating out Christmas.

“I think that’s probably true. Maybe it is Christmas for some people,” says MacDougald. “With the movie coming out, it just seemed like the perfect time.”

MacDougald opened the doors to the Dart Wars exhibit in early December, launching the gallery with an opening gala party for artists and attendees that was as lively as the Cantina on Tatooine. There, visitors got to take their first look at the plethora of Star Wars-themed pieces created for the show.

“We have paintings and prints, but also ornaments and jewelry. Purses, tumblers. I was just really impressed with the wide variety,” says MacDougald, who says the imaginative movie universe lends itself well to bringing out the creativity of Halifax’s community of artists and artisans. “It’s interesting to see people’s different interpretations…it’s been a bit of an inspiring force for people.”

Of course, Star Was has been around for nearly 40 years, and it’s hard to find an angle that hasn’t been done before, with artists like Brent Braaton having to scour pop culture to find a series of entertainment posters not already lampooned in true Jedi style.

“It took me a while to find posters that hadn’t been done in some sort of Star Wars-y way. It’s just the most popular thing in the universe,” says Braaton, who points out one piece in particular that fairly obscure. “It’s a fairly classic poster — it’s from, I think, when they were opening for The Kingsmen in 1962 or ’63. But, as you can see, I’ve replaced the Beatles with the Ewoks, and they’re playing all the hits of the Imperial ballroom.”

Like Braaton, many of the artists featured had managed to find new ways to view the world of Star Wars, despite the challenge. They had crafted everything from festive Stormtrooper gingerbread cookie ornaments, to decorative Boba Fett throw pillows, and even a framed mousetrap painted with the guise of Rebel battle commander Admiral Ackbar (fans will appreciate that reference).

That creativity has not gone unnoticed by the local patrons of the arts who are strong with the Force.

Paige Sawler is a life-long Star Wars fan, and has just finished marathoning the original trilogy in preparation for Episode VII (the prequels went unwatched for obvious reasons). She was thrilled to see the Dart Wars gallery, because she likes seeing the innate creativity of the Star Wars universe collide with the community of creativity that the Dart Gallery tends to attract.

“It’s a perfect marriage,” says Sawler, who thinks MacDougald is great at tapping into the art community’s passion. “She finds something that people are passionate about, and really love, and then is like, ‘hey – make art about it.’”

Sawler went home with a Yoda ornament for herself, but she thinks that the Dart Wars exhibit is the perfect way to give the Star Wars fan in your life a great gift this holiday season, while also shopping local.

“I think this is definitely the perfect way to shop for someone who is nerdy, but you want something local, good quality, maybe something different,” says Sawler. “It’s really awesome to, one, see something that I’m super interested in, and two, support my friends and local artists.”

“It’s a nice way to indulge in your geeky side while also supporting your local artistic community – which, here, is really strong,” adds MacDougald, who says that shopping for something nerdy usually limits folks to buying official licensed merchandise, rather than something local and special. “There’s a lot of really interesting, creative stuff that you just don’t get at a mall.”

Even people in attendance who weren’t Star Wars fanatics (there were a few) recognized how great one of these pieces would be for the Wookie-lover in their life.

“There’s stuff here that I don’t get,” says Kelly Costello, who admits she is not nearly as up on her Star Wars knowledge as her husband, Braaton. “But I’m sure somebody who loves it will.”

Dart Wars can be found at the Dart Gallery itself until Dec. 15, when the gallery closes for the month for renovations. But don’t worry — there is another…chance to pick up some great Star Wars swag for your loved ones in time for Christmas. Dart Wars will continue from Dec. 17 to 20 at the Halifax Lights Holiday Market at Historic Properties.