By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – The spotlight is shining bright on local talent, but artists from Hudson, Que., are splitting the rays.
A diverse collection of 88 pieces by 44 visual artists lined the walls at The Art Gallery (TAG) of Cornwall’s annual juried exhibition awards ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Judge and jury: South Glengarry’s Jacqueline Milner and Russell’s Karl Schutt critiqued the top six entries via video.
Cornwall’s Elaine Arkwright, watercolour artist and member of Focus Art, took first place for her piece entitled ‘Walking Home 2.’
“We chose this because there is an interesting technique involved using batik as a process,” said Schutt. “It’s a very unified, and interesting composition.”
Sylvie Lizotte, TAG’s longtime executive director, applauded the decision and thanked the jurors and crowd on behalf of Arkwright, who was unable to attend.
But the Artistes Hudson Association (AHA) Association was certainly well represented.
Cork Winters, one of its seven members featured in the juried exhibition, earned second and $200 for his oil on canvas painting entitled ‘October Gold.’
“It feels great because it’s an endorsement of what you’re doing,” said Winters.
Christine Cousineau, AHA board director, took third and $200 for her oil on canvas painting titled ‘Maggie.’
Honourable mentions and $150 prizes went to AHA’s Joni McCollam (acrylic painting – Ophelia Ostrich) and Celine Poirier (mixed media on canvas – Cogitatio Ionis F.), as well as Jessica Perkins (mixed media – Mother’s Den).
Other AHA artists featured in the exhibition: Heather Dubreuil, Carole Lessard, and Marthe Villeneuve.
Lizotte said in addition to traditional imagery like sunsets and flowers, a large amount of entries focused on animals, people, and action shots.
Mediums submitted include: organic fibre art, assemblage art, collages, oil and acrylic paintings, and clay sculptures.
During the ceremony, new TAG board chair Roland Besner told Seaway News the gallery is looking to expand its scope in the local arts scene by going beyond the canvas. Live theatre and music were offered as examples.
“We’re hoping that this year we can start fresh and forget what’s been done in the past,” said Besner. “We do want to open up our meetings to members – to make it public and transparent. We hope to have a very successful year.”
Cornwall’s Carol Viau stood proudly by her oil painting ‘Bon Appetit’ as onlookers passed. The art hobbyist previously had her work displayed at TAG during an Our Beautiful Obsession (OBO) studio exhibition. Viau felt this time was different; of the numerous pieces that were submitted, many were rejected.
“I always wanted a piece to get in to know myself better as an artist, and of course, the exposure is nice,” said Viau.
Lizotte said visitors have raved it’s the best juried exhibit yet.
The public is welcome to enjoy the art on display until March 6, free of admission, and vote for the People’s Choice, until March 1.
At the end of March, TAG will host a glass art exhibit featuring the work of local, national and international artists, including members of Alexandria’s Priest Mill Glass Works.
The gallery’s hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call (613) 938-7387 or e-mail info@tagcornwall.ca.
