Art Gallery of Bancroft juried exhibition worth seeing

May 12, 2016

Arne Roosman stands with his painting “La Gioconda” (meaning the joyful one) featuring images of his late wife Liina, their cat and dog at the Art Gallery of Bancroft “Invitation 2016”, their 34th annual juried exhibition.
JIM EADIE Special to This Week

By Jim Eadie

A remarkable 128 entries were submitted to the Art Gallery of Bancroft “Invitation 2016” annual juried exhibition sponsored by Boyer Chevrolet GMC Bancroft. The show opened officially on May 6 at the gallery and will remain for public examination for the month of May.

“Everything from oil paintings to 3D sculpture and carvings have been submitted,” said AGB president Barbara Allport. “The juror takes a look at everything on the wall.” A look at the wall revealed some excellent local examples of everything from textile or birch bark painting, ink and chalk and watercolours.
Linda Sorenson had several paintings submitted, including “Along the Trail Algonquin Hiking,” inspired by a hike in the park. Even though not a prize winner, Sorenson had supporters in the large crowd, including Judy Nelson who lives at Haggerty Hills near Killaloe.

“This show is really representative of artists around eastern Ontario,” said Allport. “We’ve offered a warm welcome to anyone at the gallery for the first time. We receive no public funding and rely solely on donations, memberships, sponsors and individuals in the community.

This year’s juror is Andrew Edgar, a local sculptor and painter, and currently a teacher at North Hastings High School. Edgar spent a part of his childhood in West Africa and British Columbia, and is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

“I have selected the winning works based on criteria an school art teacher would use: composition, colour, lighting. I’ve also looked for creativity and originality – a new angle. Finally I’ve looked for meaning: what new ideas come out of a work, why the piece was created.

A total of 17 awards were presented in eight categories, as well as the “Best in Show” David B. Milne award. This was given to Allan O’Mara for his oil: “Selfie (High Falls).”

“This is a great show, and a great opportunity for local artists,” said Dan Boileau, winner of the award for best video art for a piece entitled “Dream Loop.” It came with his own set-up, including earphones.

The gallery also accepted submissions of “computer art.” Both awards were won by Eric Weiner, for his submissions entitled” “Iridescent Forest,” and “Light Serving.”

The show has something for absolutely everyone, even if you never ever thought you might be previously interested in art. This show is at the Gallery until May 28. The Art Gallery of Bancroft can be reached at 613-332-1542