For a second year in a row, the “I Like It” Anonymous Art Show returns to the Art Gallery of Golden.
Over the past few weeks and months, artists from all walks of life in Golden’s community have been building their square art pieces – many of whom have been thinking outside of the box.
Artists of all ages and across all media will showcase their works on the walls of the Art Gallery of Golden, beginning on November 1. The artist’s reception will invite the community to view the pieces from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 1, and they will go on sale on Saturday, November 2 at 11 a.m.
Anonymity is key in this exhibit, so artists are encouraged to help keep the secret about who made what until after the pieces are sold. Once someone purchases a piece, a photo of the art with the artist’s name will remain on the wall for others to enjoy.
Last year, the exhibit opened, and the pieces started selling right away. This year, Kicking Horse Culture executive director Bill Usher wants the public to enjoy the show in its entirety before opening up sales the next day.
“We learned last year that people wanted to come and look at the work in its entirety,” he said. “People can come in and browse the work, and we’ll have some goodies to share.”
After the sales begin, they will remain open until all of the work is sold. Usher expects there will be a line up again this year of people wanting to purchase pieces.
“Behind every piece of work is a photograph, and the artist’s name and the title of the piece,” Usher said.
By the submission deadline, 146 pieces had been entered into the show. The exhibit will take up the entire gallery wall like it did last year. The artists receive a 60 per cent commission on all pieces sold.
“It seemed this year a lot more younger people are participating, and some interesting pieces that are really three-dimensional,” Usher said. “I won’t give it away any more than that.”
Before the show opens, it takes about two to three days to prepare the gallery. First, organizers need to measure out the exhibit, create straight lines in a grid, and get all the nails in the right spots to display the work.
“It’s a big exercise,” Usher said.
There are a few less pieces than last year, but the magnitude of the gallery will still be as magical. Kicking Horse Culture hosted a series of workshops before the submission deadline as it did last year, which were very well attended.
Each of the workshops were hosted by local artists from Golden and the Kootenays, featuring different media. One artist, Kristy Gordon, is originally from Nelson, but lives and works on her art in New York City. Other artists hosting workshops included Jayne Baun, Regan Johnston, Krys Sikora, and Denise English. Every workshop sold out with 20 people each.
“The… artists that did the workshops all came from different places and tried out different things with people,” Usher said.
“I Like It” Anonymous Art Show opens Friday, November 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. for viewing. Everyone is invited to the Art Gallery of Golden to take in this massive exhibit and see what the community has created.
For more information about this show and upcoming events, visit www.kickinghorseculture.ca or call the Art Gallery of Golden at 250-344-6186.
