Chair says Stampede visual arts show will be the ‘coolest place on the grounds’

By Gillian Slade on July 18, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

A full show of original works by regional artists is what visitors to Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede can look forward to this year.

“It’s the coolest place on the grounds,” said Leslie Mayer, chair of the visual arts show. “I think this year the quality of the entries is superb.”

The range of artistic talent includes photography, some digitally manipulated, some in colour and also black and white.

This year there are fewer oil paintings but there is an increase in acrylics with a number of paintings also much larger than usual. They range from abstract to realism and portraiture. There are magnificent examples of woodworking, pottery and sculpture. As usual, a separate room is dedicated to children’s artwork submissions.

The first opportunity to see the gallery of submissions is from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, July 23, in the Fireside Room. At 7 p.m., the awards will commence in the auditorium and judges of the visual art show will be commenting on the entries.

When the heat is getting to you during Stampede, the Fireside Room is a lovely way to cool off while taking in the artistic talent from this region from noon to 9 p.m. each day, said Mayer. Many of the submissions are for sale and it is a wonderful way to acquire some original art from regional artists.

For artists who are already planning on submitting entries next year, Mayer says entries must be properly prepared for hanging as there will be no supplies to help with this at future shows.

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