By Medicine Hat News on August 9, 2018.
Medicine Hat News Three artists from the County of Newell made the final cut at the Alberta Community Art Clubs Association (ACACA) Alberta Wide Show on July 13 as a trio of professional art critiques juried 75 selections to choose the 12 finalists. All are community club members of the Sage Brush Arts Society. Artist Linda Milne won the Masters category for her watercolour “West Coast Cliffs.” Charis Toews took top honours in the Youth (15-18 years) category for her “Friends” painting, and the “Centurion” sculpture brought Hugo Brees first place in that category. The ACACA, a non-profit organization, under the auspices of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, hosts three zone shows each spring, open to all artists in the province. This year the Southern Zone was hosted by the Lethbridge Art Club, displaying 104 pieces during the early May event. The Bashful Brush Art Club of Drumheller exhibited the works of 57 Central and Northern artists during the first weekend in June. Linda LaRochelle-Wilson, ACACA president was appreciative of the countless behind-the-scenes community volunteers it requires to successfully host these exhibits. “It cannot be completed by one person, it takes a whole ‘village of artists’.” Art works from a combination of the regionals shows were juried down to 75 pieces in Signature, Masters, Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner levels for the categories of painting, digital, and sculpture for the 2018 show. The art was then moved to the Alberta Wide show at the BCF Gallery in Drumheller for public display from July 4-29, attracting 2,938 visitors —record attendance for the ACACA’s 50th anniversary event. The year is not quite at a close for all the artists, as the 12 finalists — inclusive of the three from the County of Newell — will now have their work displayed at the 2018 Alberta Spirit Show in Edmonton. The Visual Arts Alberta — CARFAC gallery will grace its walls and stands with the “Best of the Best” from Aug. 2 to Sept. 29. Submitted by Joan Brees 10