City's picture book in art show format

The Visual Arts Studio Association of St. Albert (VASA) sure knows a great idea when it sees one.

The momentum-gaining gang of artists in town recently finished its well-received lecture series at Thursday’s ArtWalk opening with a walking tour of Art in Public Places in the Perron District. At the same time, approximately 20 of its members showcased their dedication to and love of all things St. Albert with a show that everyone who feels the same should see.

Landmarks of St. Albert is the first of a two-part exhibit by the group. Just as local Olympic sports heroes are praised for their success in raising the profile of the city, VASA should be lauded for this valiant effort to celebrate our architectural heritage without even a hint of corniness. This is the kind of show that will make the average citizen proud and will give our civic leaders all the visual proof that is necessary to convince the world of our rich history and our exciting prospects for our future.

Maybe you’ll think these words are starting to make it sound corny but that’s only the case if you haven’t seen the show yet. The first sight of Helen Rogers’ stained glass mosaic in the front window is the sort of piece that should be prominently displayed at city hall and used in major ad campaigns. It’s both beautiful and vastly creative but doesn’t come across as embellished at all. Its realism is its biggest selling feature.

The whole show is just like it but with as broad a representation of styles and media as the artists that created it.

Diane Way, one of the exhibiting painters, explained this is really VASA’s first major exhibit and it has been incredibly focused on producing top quality work. The group’s intent is to collect all of these images and compile them into a commemorative picture book in time for the city’s 150th anniversary celebrations next year, a massive project that requires them to collaborate with local individuals who are more experienced in the world of publishing.

“We have somebody lined up to photograph them. We’re in our infancy still — we’re flying by the seat of our pants, just going with the flow,” she laughed. As coming out parties go, consider this one a blockbuster. Landmarks I does as much to solidify the identity of VASA as it does for the city itself.

Any individual piece would be a welcome addition to a private or corporate collection and it’s a fair bet the book will be a civic treasure, the sort of cover that will soon be found in everyone’s personal library. It would surely make an excellent gift idea for many people who share VASA’s love for this beautiful burg.

The second part of this exhibit is intended to be the exhibit for September, just in time for Alberta Arts Days and also the last Art Walk of the season. To learn more about the artists, contact [email protected].