The lower level of the Shenkman Arts Centre was taken over this Sunday afternoon by the combined vernissages of two Arteast Exhibitions. Over 50 artists showed their latest art pieces with friends and family on hand to congratulate them.
The festive mood was heightened by the music, supplied by “A’ Chord East”, who played a variety of Scottish and Irish tunes, to everyone’s foot stomping delight.
Mayor Watson also dropped in to show his support of the local arts and artists. (Pictured with Arteast President Mary Ann Varley and “Mix of Emotions” show Co-ordinator Maureen Rooney Mitchell)
The exhibition, “Mix of Emotions”, taking place in both salons of the Trinity Gallery is a juried show. Arteast co-ordinator Maureen Rooney Mitchell said “We had 127 artworks submitted so the jurors had quite a job to choose the 58 pieces on display. The artists were asked to choose their best pieces, something that had evoked an emotional response in themselves or others, and the artists rose to the challenge. I’m really pleased with the quality of the work on display.”
The jurors also each chose their favourite piece for an award. The winners of these were: Margaret Chwialkowska for “Approaching Storm at Champlain Lookout”, an oil on canvas of a landscape with a moody, threatening sky; Roy Whiddon for “Abandoned”, a photograph of a vulnerable woman in an almost foetal position and Maureen Rooney Mitchell for “In Her keeping” an oil on canvas portrait of a young girl with a slightly trepidacious expression. Each of the awards was sponsored by Wallack’s Art Supplies with Mike Wallack generously supplying gift cards for each of the winners.
On the Promenade Arteast wall opposite the Trinity gallery are 18 works produced by some of the many Arteast volunteers. Maureen Rooney Mitchell who also co-ordinated this show, said “We couldn’t organise these exhibits or take part in any of our various outreach programs without our volunteers. They form the backbone of Arteast and donate their valuable time and expertise to our arts organisation. Each volunteer is also a talented enthusiastic artist in their own right.”
Mari JH Brown, one of the exhibitors and co-ordinators said of her artwork, ‘Peace’, “I’m a big fan of searching the countryside in my car looking for old barns to draw. I was out doing this when the sun started to go down and I saw this band of gold across the sky so I stopped, got out and was looking at this line of light behind the trees. It was such a quiet and peaceful moment I just wanted to paint it. I love to drive around and capture these moments.”
“Peace” and all the artworks in both exhibitions are on display till March 20th.
Arteast is a highly active, not-for-profit visual arts organization serving Eastern Ontario. Membership in Arteast is open to artists, both amateur and professional, and all who enjoy and want to participate in the visual arts.
