Judging complete for Visual Arts Show

By Gillian Slade on July 22, 2017.

Just clowning around are Leslie Mayer, chair of the Visual Arts show, and past chair Evelyn Kleis. There are 460 entries this year, with awards to be announced Monday at the Cypress Centre.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE

gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade

It is a riot of colour and individual expressions of art that could delight the soul and even transport you to another place and time.

This year there were more than 460 entries in the Visual Arts Show for the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede. Judging has taken place and winners will be revealed at the Cypress Centre on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m., says past chair Evelyn Kleis.

When winners are revealed and presented with prizes there is also a commentary, which Kleis believes is one reason why the standard of entries has continuously improved in the Visual Arts show.

There are a number of eye-catching entries. A chalk/pastel, life drawing of a particularly muscular man “Sam,” which had Kleis and Leslie Mayer, chair of the Visual Arts show, jockeying for position to ‘stand by the man’ by artist Sherry Biko.

The artists range from beginners to professionals such as Gena La Coste.

A large acrylic streetscape of Second Street downtown, by Leanne Stock, is a must see for the three-dimensional quality and effective light.

Linda Gordon’s oil on canvas “Flathead in February” is a mood piece that draws you in with soothing colours.

A mixed media by Susan Sakamoto titled “Michael’s Garden” attracts attention with colour combinations and texture, said Kleis.

“Each person sees something different in a piece like this,” she added.

There is a whole section of artwork by children ranging in age from pre-school to Grade 12, said Mayer.

The total number of entries is slightly down from last year. There are fewer entries by adults, and that is believed to be because many of the artists are also exhibiting at the Esplanade at the moment, said Mayer. Not all artists would have enough to draw on for both the Esplanade and the Visual Arts show at the same time. This year there are more entries by children though.

The Visual Arts show can be viewed in the Cypress Centre during the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede which starts next week.