A vibrant new art wall has just been unveiled at the Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre (HAC), showcasing the talents of thirty artists from the Stonewall Art Group (SAG).
“[SAG] is a group of non-professional artists who come together to be their best artistic self,” explained SAG administrator David Mackinder.
For over a decade, SAG members have created three unique displays for the HAC lobby throughout the year, each composed of their own artwork.
The new display, unveiled on Oct. 28, features the theme of planet Earth’s gorgeous landscapes, sunsets, and sunrises.
“These themes are picked from member’s suggestions, and we pick a set of themes that challenge and inspire the members,” said Mackinder.
He noted that many of the artist’s works are directly inspired by photographs they have taken themselves.
Shannon Riddell is one of the SAG members showcasing their work in the HAC display.
Riddell is a painter who primarily works with acrylics, but she has also had experience with watercolour and oil paintings too.
“I started painting when I was in my 20s with my Mom, who was an artist. I painted with her whenever I had the time,” she said.
Riddell’s painting hobby stems from her mother’s passion for art, and she gained her painting skills through personal experience.
This is the fourth HAC display for the local painter, who mainly paints landscape art and is grateful to be a part of the experience.
“I really enjoy showing people that I like to paint, and I like to show my paintings. Sometimes my paintings are not the greatest, but I enjoy just trying to get better.”
Riddell has multiple paintings for display, two of which are inspired directly from her photos.
“I have a landscape I will be putting up on the wall and it is an ocean scene from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico of the waves crashing on the rocks,” she noted.
Riddlell also has a picture of her family’s old barn.
“I painted it as a keepsake for my children.”
SAG’s final display of 2024 also incorporates two new brochure racks into its design. One rack houses the SAG brochure, while the other features an art wall road map.
“The road map will map the entire wall of approximately 50 artworks,” Mackinder explained.
The road map documents the title, the artist and their contact information, and the price of the artwork if it is for sale.
“This road map will enable viewers to identify all the works displayed and work as a takeaway for those that are interested in purchasing the same,” added Mackinder.
He noted that only a select number of artists chose to commission their work, so he advises that not all artworks may be available to purchase.
Riddell will be selling two of her paintings. You can purchase her Mexican ocean scene and/or the painting of a sunset.
All the local artists worked tirelessly to create the new HAC display, with an estimated 10 to 20 hours of work going into each design.
“These local displays represent the local population at a grassroots level. No pretension here, just a love of creation,” said Mackinder.
SAG artists primarily fund their own work, but the collective recently received a grant from the Quarry Choristers which helped fund the display.
SAG also thanks the Town of Stonewall and the HAC staff for their tremendous support of all of their projects.
HAC’s new display, located at 166 Main St. in Stonewall, will only be open for four months. It is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
“While at the centre, also check out their Heritage Art Wall, a permanent display on the north side of the lobby that documents Stonewall’s rich history,” Mackinder added.
If you are interested in getting involved in creating HAC’s future displays, the SAG is always looking for new members. You are invited to join the creativity with fellow local artists and drop into one of the SAG’s weekly meetings.
Riddell personally invites people to their weekly meetings.
“If anybody would like to join the Stonewall Art Group, they should feel that they are welcome and that they will always be encouraged. Everyone will always help them with tips and ideas because everybody is very encouraging.”
Tribune Photos by Haley Cvar
SAG artists meet on Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m. to work on pieces of their own art, and you are welcome to swing by at any time. You can also email stonewallartgroup@gmail.com for more information about joining this passionate group of artists.
