Curiosity has returned but with a new cabinet and all new treasures. The original show arrived at the Visual Arts Studio Association gallery courtesy of the Society of Western Canadian Artists back in November 2013. The exhibit was such a success and the group decided that one good turn deserved another.
And so they have returned with Curiosity 2, another collection of art for the inquisitive, says Madeleine Arnett, one of the exhibiting artists. It's a smaller contribution than its predecessor. This time, the show will feature close to 40 separate pieces, each by a different artist, many of which will be displayed in a new curio cabinet. Also, some of the artists are representatives of the society while others come from The Nina Collective, a group of artists at the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts in Edmonton.
"It's exciting. We've do have some really curious pieces. It should be interesting, to say the least," Arnett exclaimed.
"We will have some interactive parts, " she continued, adding that the mix of artists from the two groups makes for a curiosity in its own right with many of the artists submitting some very offbeat works. She said that one artist, Shirley Adams, would have some "unusual sculptures." There will still be a crow theme.
Even the cabinet has been painted to look more unusual.
Joining Arnett in the project will be Val Solash, Teresa B. Graham, John Labots, Joanne Milson and Sue Scott who are also members of VASA, plus Cathy Bible who is a member of the St. Albert Painters' Guild.
Curiosity 2 runs tomorrow through Feb. 7 at the Nina Haggerty Centre, 9225 118th Avenue in Edmonton. The opening reception will be on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Call 780-474-7611 or visit www.thenina.ca for details.
Your parents' watercolours … not!
Teresa B. Graham is having a busy week. She is also one of the contributing artists to a new show at the Daffodil Gallery. Not Your Parents' Watercolours is the gallery's attempt to revitalize interest in works done in that medium. The artist suggested that one of the working titles of the exhibit was "Watercolour is the New Black."
"The show will only be watercolours. Some people have used it in different ways. Anne McCartney (who is an award-winning artist) has different methods of using watercolours. She masks and pours."
For her part, Graham has a more traditional piece featuring a crow on a flowery perch, a subject that perhaps mirrors her contribution in Curiosity 2 with its crow theme.
This exhibit also features works by Ada Wong, St. Albert Painters' Guild members Anne McCartney and Samantha Williams-Chapelsky, and Karen Bishop.
The show runs from Jan. 21 to Feb. 14 with an opening reception on Jan. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. Artists will be in attendance during a special meet 'n' greet on Jan. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Daffodil is located at 10412 124 Street in Edmonton. Call 780-760-1ART (1278) or visit www.daffodilgallery.ca for more information.
Henderson replays Tales
Sculptor Al Henderson first brought his unique conceptual war art exhibit Light Horse Tales to the Douglas Udell Gallery in the spring of 2011. Now, four years later, the show is travelling to the south of the province for a six-week stint there.
Light Horse Tales features his custom designed sculptures and sketches, all on the theme of the war in Afghanistan and the notion of self-identification across cultures.
It runs from Jan. 16 to Feb. 28 with a reception on opening night from 7 to 9 p.m.
The Okotoks Art Gallery is located at 53 North Railway Street in Okotoks. Call 403-938-3204 or visit www.okotoks.ca for details.
