Most artists paint in a studio. The hot sun, gusts of wind, mosquitoes and even bursts of rain are difficult to control on canvas.
However, 23 members of St. Albert Painters Guild, from amateur to professional, are selling art from their front yards on Saturday, June 14 as part of a self-guided tour.
They're looking forward to stepping outside at the 5th annual Art in the Open. Artists are setting up outdoor galleries at 11 different residences and parks across St. Albert in Oakmont, Kingswood, Akinsdale, Forest Lawn, Braeside, Sturgeon Heights and Heritage Lakes.
Selling art on the street is an opportunity to take visual art down from it's pedestal into the more casual part of our everyday lives. It's a place where art enthusiasts can engage in relaxed conversations with artists, witness the creative process as it fans out and take home a piece of art without putting hole in the wallet.
Artists are not restricted to the number of paintings they can showcase. And art lovers can casually eyeball several hundred works of art painted in different styles, mediums and price points. There are original paintings where no two tell the same story, limited edition reproductions, prints, art cards, and photography.
While most collected works on display are painted indoors, visual artists such as Luise Mendler Johnson, Tracy Lyn Propp and Frances Pelletier thrive on painting and experimenting “en plein air” meaning to paint “in the outdoors.”
“When you talk to them, they tell you there’s a freedom in their experiences. But there’s the challenge of getting something on the canvas before the sun shifts. I’ve heard stories of artists fighting mosquitoes and wearing gloves because of the cold weather. But there is freedom in seeing the landscape’s colours in real time,” said Memory Roth, organizer and visual artist.
For the vast majority of artists, the sale of art is more than a transaction.
"I hope when people see the art, it tugs at they're heart and they buy it and enjoy it or give it as a gift. We can keep art at home, but it's more important to reach people. We try to reach as many people as possible and hopefully a painting reaches who it's meant to reach," Roth said.
During the sale, artists will supply shelter at their location whether it’s in a garage or under a carport to minimize unexpected weather conditions.
Several of the artists will host as of yet unnamed specials throughout the day. The artists are Memory Roth, Marg Oevering, Francoise Noel and Louise Mendler-Johnson.
Seven artists are also have organized give away draws. They are Francoise Noel, Laurena Biernes, Pamela Wolf, Susan Casault, Cathy Friensen, Memory Roth and Tom Steele.
Artist addresses are:
• 3 Oxford Place – Francoise Noel, Barbara Mitchell, Frances Pelletier
• 7 Killdeer Court – Memory Roth
• 78 Aspen Crescent – Laurena Beirnes, Susan Casault, Cathy Friesen, Pamela Wolfe
• 81 Fenwick Crescent - Clarence Kingsley-Pillai
• 51 Fenwick Crescent – Alan Anderson
• 17 Fair Oaks Drive – Louise Mendler-Johnson, Alexandra Mitchell, Claudette Pelletier-Hannah, Tracy Lyn Propp, Anita Skubleny
• 66 Fair Oaks Drive – Peg McPherson, Sue Waring
• 29 Bellevue Crescent – Susan Miller
• 7 Swallow Crescent – Marg Oevering
• 2 Heath Place – Jody Mathon, Elizabeth Meetsma
• 6 The Willows – Tom Steele, Sandra Camacho
Art in the Open runs Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To download a Google map for the self-guided tour, visit paintersguild.wildapricot.org.
