An Artist's Cottage. Gerard Brender a Brandis

My favorite stop in Stratford. Wonderful art and wonderful man.

It is the home and studio of Gerard Brender à Brandis, a ‘bookwright’ a wood engraver, painter and a poet. A member of the Wood Engravers’ Network, Gerard Brender à Brandis has produced hundreds of drawings, wood engravings and watercolours of plants, landscape, buildings and musical instruments. Gerard has also printed a number of books printed letterpress. His work is represented in the collections of many galleries, including the Art Gallery of Ontario Library, the University of California, Santa Barbara and the McMaster Library and Archives. They are also found among the collections of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario, the Missouri Botanic Garden, the Arnold Arboretum and the Hunt Botanical Library. This is a must visit to anyone interested in art and books.

Downtown landmark with local historical significance. A plaque at the alley pays tribute to the original use of the corridor as a passage from Wellington St. hotels to livery stables off Erie St. Recent renewal projects showcasing art installations on the walls.

Artist's studio. He makes engravings/prints and binds his books using antique methods and antique tools. Fascinating. If you are in the neighbourhood, and his studio is open (usually only during tourist season when the Festival Theatre is open) have a look in. He sells his prints too. I have my eye on a lovely black and white botanical.