A record number of pieces were sold during the Sundre Art Society's recent annual art show and sale.
The 42nd annual event, held on the weekend of April 29-30 at the West County Centre, was also well attended with about 400 people coming through the doors during the two-day event, said society member and past president Virginia Wilson.
"We sold 56 pieces of art, which is a record as long as statistics have been kept over the past 10 years," she told the Round Up during a phone interview.
The sales total, of which the society retains a 10 per cent commission fee, was a little more than $9,400. That helps to cover the cost of putting on the show. There were 26 artists from Sundre and the surrounding area who came out to display their art, and nearly all of them were able to sell some of their work. The viewing public had the opportunity to take in a wide range of pieces from amateur artists to those who have been participating in art shows for decades, she said.
"We had people who were showing pictures for the very first time, and we have people who have been showing pictures for the last 20 years or more."
This year, local artist and society president Lila Weiss "stole the show" after being voted by the public not only as this year's most popular artist but also for getting the most votes for one of her pieces called Maple Leaves Forever, said Wilson.
"It was the favourite picture by a fair margin," she said.
Weiss told the Round Up she was really pleased to win the honours and thought it was pleasantly fitting that her painting of maple leaves won considering this year's theme was in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation.
However, she also pointed out other artists also received numerous votes.
"It's rewarding for all the artists to receive votes on their work."
This year's theme featured a section displaying a variety of pieces from the East Coast to the West Coast and everything in between, said Wilson, who expressed gratitude for the public's ongoing interest in the society's event.
"The support we've got from the community (over the years) has been tremendous, and it continues to be tremendous."
