The provincial art show currently on display at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery showcases the first class work of talented artists from across Alberta.
Around 120 paintings by 94 artists make up the Alberta Community Art Clubs Association’s 34th annual Alberta Wide Show, which MAG has hosted for 26 consecutive years.
“It’s a beautiful show,” said Karin Richardson-MacKenzie, MAG assistant director and audience development.
“The quality is first rate.”
The selection features various mediums, from watercolour to oils, prints and encaustic wax, and there is an array of subject matter, including portraits, still life, landscape and animals.
The association held juried shows in the northern, central and southern zones of Alberta. Winners from each zone were again juried June 12 to select the pieces for the Alberta Wide Show.
This year’s jurors — Sharon Moore-Foster and James Trevelyan, both of Edmonton, and Linda Cullen-Saik of Red Deer — also selected the winning pieces.
Prizes were given to beginner, intermediate, advanced and master artists from across the province. No one from the Red Deer area was awarded but local artists do have paintings featured in the show.
Alberta Wide opened Sunday and runs until Aug. 6. A closing ceremony will be held for the showcased artists Aug. 7, where one of the jurors will be available to offer critiques.
“Artists can have a kind of a personal commentary,” Richardson-MacKenzie said. “It’s a learning experience for the artist.”
The winning pieces will move on to the Visual Art Alberta Association Gallery in Edmonton on Aug. 15 for the Provincial Show Award, which runs until Oct.1.
ptrotter@www.reddeeradvocate.com