Artists and art-lovers pack the halls at Colborne Gallery
For the second year in a row, the Colborne Art Gallery has attracted dozens of artists, gallery members, supporters and friends to the opening reception of its Annual Juried Show, on Saturday July 12.
This year, the Juried Show is exhibiting 52 pieces by 49 artists, from Mississauga to Fredericton, New Brunswick. The show features a diverse range of media, including drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, fibre art and jewelry.
Olexander Wlasenko, curator of the Station Gallery in Whitby, was this year’s guest juror, choosing from among the 131 works submitted. From his selections, six pieces were chosen for the awards, presented at the opening.
This year’s Juror’s Choice Award, sponsored by The Colborne Gallery, was presented to Audrey Smith of Mississauga. Of her winning piece, “Vulnerable”, Wlasenko commented, “The ambitious scale of this work opens a one-to-one dialogue between the pensive sitter and her viewer. The brushwork is rich, expressive and confident; the sitter on the other hand is placid, subdued and vulnerable. A nice juxtaposition plays out in this work. Congratulations on such a successful composition!”.
Cramahe mayor Marc Coombs selected the Mayor’s Choice award, presented to Newtonville’s Nancy Moore for her piece, “Snowy Pines at Sunset”. The award features a custom-made plaque by Colborne’s Hoselton Sculptures.
Mayor’s Award
Mayor Marc Coombs with Nancy Moore
Four Honourable Mentions were also chosen by Wlasenko and awarded, to Gerald Banting for his “Still Life in the Spaulted Spring”, Angela Hennessey’s “Nightfall”, Marion Meyers’ “Blue Poppies in the Birches”, and Marcela Rosemberg’s “Payasa”. These awards were sponsored by an anonymous donor, Ganaraska Art and Framing, Cree Organics and Rhonda’s Framing, respectively.
Every piece in the Juried Show is a delight to behold, exhibiting a high degree of talent, visual literacy and technical skill by both amateur and professional artists. They are best viewed in person in the light and airy atmosphere of the Colborne Gallery.
There is still time to take in these master works, as the show runs until August 17th. The Gallery is open Thursdays to Sundays, 12-5pm. A gallery member is always present during these hours, and always delighted to meet and chat with new and returning visitors!
For a full list of participating artists, along with pictures from the opening reception and more comments from the juror, visit The Colborne Gallery’s website: www.thecolborneartgallery.ca
-Monika Devine