Artists from St. Andrews, the Interlake, Winnipeg and surrounding areas have the chance to be featured in a community art show in February.
The St. Andrews Rectory and Heritage Centre is inviting artists who create any type of art, including paintings, photography, textiles, sculptures and jewelry, to apply for the centre’s community art show that will run from February 3 to 17, 2024. This is the centre’s fifth art show.
“The idea behind doing the art show was just to celebrate local art and to have unknown and established artists from the region have an opportunity to gain new appreciation to see each other and network with other artists to experience new art from the community,” said Laura Brown, program coordinator at St. Andrews Heritage Centre. “It’s a free event for people to attend to come see it, and so we’d like to help foster the community through art as a community organization ourselves.”
The submission period is open until January 12. Artists of all ages and skill levels can submit up to three pieces of any media except digital media for the selection committee to review. The centre will choose a select number of artists to showcase in February. Last year, 30 artists were selected, and nearly 90 pieces of art were on display. There is no cost to apply to be featured, but artists who are selected will pay a $15 entry fee.
While the art show is open to artists from anywhere, the selection committee will give preference to residents of St. Andrews and the Interlake.
Artists with their work on display can make their pieces available for purchase, and all artwork will be entered into a contest. Visitors to the art show will place their votes for various categories, such as best use of colour, best photography and best overall. There will be four winners of monetary prizes ranging from $25 to $100.
“It’s a great opportunity to share your artwork, especially if you’re maybe not an established artist. The fee for it is $15 to exhibit it, and most of that goes back into potential prizes that the artists can win,” Brown said. “It’s a good way to get involved in the community.”
During the art exhibition, the centre is planning to host at least one painting class so that people can experience art as well as view it. The regular galleries, gift shop and grounds at the centre will also be open for people to check out during the art show.
“I think [the heritage centre] is a bit of a hidden gem. Not everyone has been here or got to see it. The building itself is historic,” she says. “It’s sort of connected to the church across the street, and you can learn some bits about local history and Manitoba history in general, all while being in a historic building, which I think is really fun.”
Artists interested in submitting their artwork to the show can complete the application form on the centre’s website (standrewsrectory.ca/event/community-art-show-2024).
