Parkside Art Gallery is going to the dogs this month, as it features a new show called Animals at the Farm.
It’s a group show, but the centrepiece is a body of work created by Leah Carswell of Waldo’s Sign Design in 100 Mile House, which focuses on border collie portraiture.
The portraits have been created using the same technique Carswell uses in producing vinyl letter signs. Her portraits are made with vinyl cutouts, which she draws on her computer and cuts with a plotter device.
Her collection of border collie images come from her own love of the intelligent, black-and-white working dogs. She’s owned three and is the founder of an Internet border collie group that currently has 31 members.
Photographs of members’ dogs have also found their way to Carswell’s vinyl portraiture.
“They just amaze me. They’re so smart, and so cute.”
Parkside president Patsy Granberg says that for several years, Carswell has been producing signage for the gallery.
“She creates signs, but therein lays an artist who can’t suppress herself.”
Supporting the Carswell show is a collection of works by other local artists, all themed around animals on and around the farm.
Granberg says hosting this show is going to be fun.
“The farm hits kind of close to home for a lot of people. Everyone likes a farm. This will be a people-pleaser with no heavy attachments.”
Several months ago, Parkside put out a call to artists to submit works for the show and Granberg says the response was good. This was one of several recent times the gallery has invited contributions from the general public.
“People are warming up to the idea of submitting their work. It gets people creating way more artwork and stretches us to try stuff, which is really healthy. It doesn’t take away from what you do best, but it broadens your experience.”
Animals at the Farm will be on display until July 16, after which the gallery will clear out for the annual Cariboo Artists Guild Show and Sale.
This year, the show challenges contributors to submit a piece that follows their 2011 theme of “The Future.”
Granberg says artists will interpret the theme differently and she’s expecting a wide response.
“Our intent is to stretch the imagination.”
The Artists Guild show will run from July 22 to Sept. 10 and the pubic will be invited to cast votes for their favourite pieces.
Parkside is located at 401 Cedar Ave. and the hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
