(Aurora Art Group/Facebook)

By Emily Zbaraschuk

arts show

Art group shows off their works tonight

May 10, 2019 | 11:50 AM

Over 80 pieces of art by local artists will be on show in the Mann Art Gallery this evening, as part of the annual Aurora Art Group Show and Sale.

This year, the artists are calling it “a show within a show” as the one-night exhibit will take place in the same gallery space as Audrey Dreaver’s exhibit, NO. I do not speak Cree.

“What makes it special is that this year in particular we are having it in the Mann Art Gallery,” Birgit Raduenz, an artist who will be displaying her pottery and paintings, said.

In the past, the Aurora Art Group held its show in the Prince Albert Art Centre, which was a meaningful location for many of the artists, as they occasionally took classes there, according to Raduenz. However, in recent years, they have explored different locations for their show, looking for more exposure and increased accessibility to the community. This is the first time they will use the Mann Art Gallery.

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“It’s a nice place. It’s very airy, it’s open, it’s artsy,” Mary McLeod, an artist and founding member of the Aurora Art Group, said.

When the group was created in 2004, there were about seven or eight artists, according to McLeod. Many were students from Christina Thoen’s Art School.

“At one point they decided it would be lovely if they could show some of their pieces together, so they formed the Aurora Art Group,” Raduenz said.

Throughout the year, the group displays artwork at Shananigan’s Coffee & Dessert Bar, and once a year they hold their annual show and sale.

“We all have a common interest, which is art of course, and talking about art and painting or pottery or whatever it is we do. It’s just really good coming together,” McLeod said.

Over time, the Aurora Art Group has lost members, and now only McLeod and one other artist remain from the original group. They have also gained many new members, including Raduenz, who joined after she was invited as a guest artist to their show.

Guest artists this year are Ben Hladun and Tom Gertz. Hladun will display detailed drawings of buildings and structures and Gertz will be showing vases, according to Raduenz. The other eight artists will be showing and selling a variety of artwork, ranging from pieces in watercolour, acrylic, and oil paints, soft pastels, photography, pottery, sculptures, and more.

“It’s a wonderful place to come if you’re wanting to take in some great art and visit with people. I think it’ll be a really good evening,” McLeod said.

The show is on May 10, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Mann Art Gallery.

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Emily.Zbaraschuk@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow