INNISFAIL – You don’t have to look far to find some beautiful artwork and talent.
Local artists had their work on display during the Innisfail Art Council’s annual art show and sale at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre on Sept. 21 and 22.
Friday evening kicked off the event with a gala.
“Last year was our first time that we opened it up on Friday night and had our gala and this is the fourth year we’ve had an art show in recent years,” said Iris White, chair of the Innisfail Art Show and Sale. “There’s been an art council in Innisfail for over 30 years and in the last three years our club has tripled in size.”
The two-day event was open to the public and welcomed art lovers, members of the Innisfail Art Council, their families and friends.
Visitors had a chance to view a variety of artwork, from paintings, pottery and glassware to wood carvings.
“We have artists that do many different types of medium,” said White. “Some of our artists not only paint, but do pottery. They do mixed media, sculpting, wood carving and photography.
“There’s (artwork depicting) a lot of local scenery, local flowers. We have some abstract (art) in the back and some of the acrylic paints are an abstract expression,” she said. “There’s also watercolour, acrylic and oil paintings.”
This year the Innisfail Art Council’s art show and sale included a featured exhibit, called Our Town – the history of Innisfail and area, as seen through artists’ eyes.
“We wanted to showcase this wonderful community we live in and the history of it.”
The art club now has 26 members with a variety of experience, ranging from novice to professional, noted White.
“Everyone meets on Mondays at Divots Restaurant at the Innisfail Golf Club. We start in October and go until the end of April,” she said, adding they hold an open studio on Mondays, working on individual projects while mentoring, critiquing and encouraging each other in their progress.
More than 200 pieces of artwork were on display for the art show.
“I think people are amazed at the talent that is in the community and the wide variety of subjects and medium that we do (as a club),” said White, noting they welcome new members. “We are really trying to grow the art community in Innisfail.”
For more information on art classes and upcoming events, visit the Innisfail Art Council on Facebook.
