LAKE COUNTRY–– Another ArtWalk has come and gone.
The annual art extravaganza, which takes place in Lake Country the first weekend in September, just wrapped up its 19th year. Thousands of people enjoyed the weather, the fun activities and, of course, all the artwork produced by local artists.
In partnership with ArtWalk, the Lake Country Art Gallery has a new exhibition titled Art for Change, featuring ArtWalk artists.
Featured in this exhibition are pieces that the artists and gallery curator Katie Brennan felt really dove into the theme.
“When I was corresponding with the ArtWalk artists in preparation for this show, I was asked a lot by the artists if their particular approach to the theme would work. This question surprised me, as I feel that part and parcel of artistic expression is approaching ideas like the theme, Art for Change, from all sorts unique and sometimes unusual perspectives,” said Brennan.
The exhibition reflects many different takes on art for change. From those concerned with land conservancy issues and forestry practices, like the paintings of Linda Lavosia and Anita McComas that feature richly painted landscapes of clear cuts and red singed trees ravaged by mountain pine beetle; to work about social issues, like in the collage work of June Seed; to those concerned with the effect man is having on his animal friends, such as in the work of John Waite’s spawning salmon and Rod Gamache’s thickly and wildly painted scene of a deer hunt.
Several different mediums are also represented in this exhibition. From Amber Denison’s stunning piece inspired by topographic line work in cut metal, to Patricia Doyle’s ceramic leaf plate of hand-crafted metallic leaves.
“Doyle wants the public to come in and re-arrange this piece. Feeling the texture of the leaves themselves, recomposing them how they see fit. In this way, Doyle is actively courting change and asking the viewer to be a full participant in it”, said Brennan.
Art For Change continues at the Lake Country Art Gallery until Oct. 7.
The gallery is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m to 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
