ST. PAUL - A wide range of unique works of art created by artists from the North Zone of the Alberta Community Art Clubs Association (ACACA) came together in St. Paul over the weekend.
The St. Paul & District Arts Foundation hosted the North Zone Art Show for the first time on May 28 and 29. The weekend show included judging of artwork, and the sale of feature paintings, sculptures, fibre arts and digital pieces from artists across northern Alberta.
Hans Rohner, the North Zone representative with the ACACA was on hand Saturday afternoon as the first day was wrapping up. He had nothing but good things to say about the shot itself, and the hosts.
"It was way beyond what we could hope for," said Rohner, who was also impressed by the community's support of the arts. He noted the atmosphere on Saturday was "unbelievable."
The show in St. Paul was the first in the zone since the pandemic. And while virtual shows did take place, Rohner noted that it doesn't compare to seeing the artwork in person.
Saturday morning started with the judging of 88 pieces of art. Many of the creations were made by artists in the Lakeland region.
"The artwork that came in was exceptional," said Rohner. The event went so well that Rohner is already looking ahead, and hoping that St. Paul will host other similar events.
At 2:30 p.m., an opening ceremony was held, and included entertainment by St. Paul artists Lynda Young and Natalie Beland. Young danced, while Beland played the harp.
St. Paul-based artists Eric Spoeth was one of the main co-ordinators of the art show in St. Paul. He noted that 70 per cent of the submitted artwork was selected by judges to move on to an Alberta-wide show.
The artwork was so impressive, that it took judges longer to decide on the top Jurors' Choice Award. In the end, two pieces were selected. Amil Shapka of St. Paul received the top honour with his piece 'Last of the season.' Also receiving the Jurors' Choice Award was an entry in the fibre art category by Krista Leddy from Edmonton called 'Rainbow Jellyfish.'
One of the highlights of the weekend for Spoeth was the positive feedback received about the quality of the venue in St. Paul, which was the art foundation's building located on main street.
One piece that Spoeth was happy to include in the weekend was a separate gallery of artwork collected by St. Paul Education. Students from Grade 5 to 12 had artwork on display, and many of those pieces were worthy of being in the actual competition, said Spoeth.
He noted that it can be intimidating for young people to submit their art to events such as the one held over the weekend, but he encourages them to do so. He attributed a lack of representation in the youth category of the ACACA show to the fact that many people are unaware the opportunity exists.
With just three and a half months to prepare and plan for the show in St. Paul, Spoeth says it was a whirlwind, but there was also a lot of learning that took place too, such as how to curate and understand the art.
Results from the art show include:
Youth
Sofia Soria - “Asunder”
Beginner
Krista Chenard - “Mount Assiniboine”
Intermediate
Terence McGilvery - “The Healer”
Advanced
Maria Sieben - “Winter Solstice”
Masters
Hans Rohner - “Coming Home”
Signature
Joyce Boyer - “Fresh Morning Walk”
Sculpture
Maria Sieben - “The Fisherman” (Beginner)
Herman H. Poulin - “Figurative I” (Intermediate)
Hans Rohner - “Torn Between” (Master)
Fibre Art
Ivy Trumpour - “Horsing Around” (Intermediate)
Krista Leddy - “Steampunk Flower” (Advanced)
Jurors' Choice
Krista Leddy - “Rainbow Jellyfish”
Amil Shapka - “Last of the Season”
Audience Choice
Herman Poulin - “Figurative 1”
