Looking forward to a new beginning in 2020? Then the McMillan Arts Centre might have a show for you.
Fresh start: Looking forward to the new year ahead and new beginnings is the theme of the OCAC Members Exhibition, which runs until Dec. 21 at the MAC.
“Every year we do a non-juried show, which basically means if you’re a member of the council, you can submit work into the members’ show. This year we accepted two pieces from each submission,” said MAC executive director Jennifer Bate.
In the halls of Parksville’s art institution, landscapes mingle with abstracts and macro-images.
Mediums abound – acrylic, oil, photo, pastel, watercolour, digital art, and even quilting. On canvas, panel.
READ MORE: Qualicum Beach artist’s recent exhibit deals in texture, subdued tone
You can tell the work is local – there are plenty of familiar images, including landmarks like St. Mary’s Church and Mt. Arrowsmith, and more general depictions of beaches, snow, arbutus and cedar.
The artists are given the theme in October, enough time to create fresh works for the show.
“This one, fresh start new beginnings, I think probably… 70 per cent was work that was created for the exhibit,” said Bate.
There are more than 145 members of the OCAC in total.
In addition to the annual non-juried display, perks of membership include discounts at the MAC, invitations to the opening receptions and the ability to create an online profile to display their artwork.
“That takes care of a lot of people that don’t have Facebook, or a website yet – they can actually create a profile on the artisan directory, and network that way. So that’s kind of cool,” said Bate.
“It’s a really, really great idea, and it’s getting bigger every year.”
For more information on the OCAC, visit www.oceansideartscouncil.com.
