Local artists take centre stage

The Mann Art Gallery was overflowing with local works of art over the weekend.

There were around 220 pieces submitted to the 39th Annual Winter Festival Juried Art Show & Sale.  The man behind the exhibit said he hopes he showed respect to the works through his presentation.

“The way that the exhibition works, which is quite wonderful, it’s a community exhibition which means they receive many works from the larger community in and around Prince Albert and beyond and throughout Saskatchewan actually,” said juror and adjudicator, Grant McConnell. “[It] really give[s]…character to the exhibition, it’s different from one year to the next.”

McConnell said it was quite the task to set up the exhibition, which was filled with various art forms such as three-dimensional pieces, paintings, photography, fabric work and wood-turning. However, he said he’s put together exhibits before and the key is taking individual works and matching them in terms of the ‘infinities’ or finding similarities.

McConnell has a wealth of knowledge in the art world after receiving a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan and studying Fine Arts at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B.

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McConnell is best-known for his acrylic on wood paintings, which are based on his research of Canadian history. But, as an artist, he refuses to limit his talents to one style.

“Myself I work as a painter and sculptor and I do drawing and print making … but I say to myself whatever you’re working on at that given time that has to be your favourite,” he said. “You really do have to engage with the subject matter and with the form that you’re working on at that time in order for it to be successful.”

As part of the weekend McConnell spoke to artists about their pieces and the exhibit as a whole. His advice for artists was quite simple—keep on doing whatever area you’re working in.

“In art it always serves you well is if you have a good idea, that good idea actually has neighbours,” he said. “I see that in successful artists they’re very dogged and determined in making their work better and this is (the way) … for any artist to succeed.”

McConnell said Prince Albert has a healthy arts community, so he wants people to continue exploring and sharing.

“Anyone has the ability to investigate different kinds of artistic form. What they can do is make something of real significance in their own life and for the people around them to see,” he said.

During the festival there was an opening reception, an awards night, and a walk-through tour with McConnell. He said it was rather hard to decide on which 20 pieces would receive awards, although there is one that really stood out for him. Michel Boutin’s painting ‘The Runner’ which won Best of the Show and the Mayor’s Prize.

“That’s a work in itself that people should get into the gallery to see. Something really stands out; I think it’s a real pivot point for you know who this community is at this time,” he said.

If you are interested in an artist workshop with McConnell the Mann Art Gallery will be hosting one on March 15. For more information, head to the Mann Art Gallery website.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1