WHITEFISH FALLS—One of the most highly anticipated juried art exhibitions and sales of the summer season opened July 1 at the Whitefish Falls Community Centre. This is an opportunity to not only view some of the most inspiring works of art to be found in the North, but also to take one of the pieces home—who knows, you might be the lucky winner of ‘North Channel Freeze Up,’ an original work by this year’s distinguished artist Cliff Jewell—but you better not delay—the show closes 5 pm on July 8.
The tradition of an artist’s reception wine and cheese before the awards ceremony and ribbon cutting was resumed this year, having been truncated over the past two years due to the global pandemic.
The awards selected by this year’s jury began with Best of Show for Joanne D. Blais for ‘Canadian Shoreline.’
The Ivan Wheale Award was presented to Donna Montgomery for ‘Postponed Decisions’ and the Peg Forbes Memorial Award (named for one of the founders) was awarded to Astrid Colton for ‘On Silent Wings.’ The Art Committee Award was presented to Beth Bond McCullagh for ‘Beach Stones at Davis Bay.’
Mr. Wheale thanked the artists who continue to contribute to the La Cloche Art Show, but especially for passing on their love of art and its creation to younger generations. He exhorted the young artists exhibiting in this year’s show to “keep at it.”
photo by Michael Erskine
In the acrylic category, Martin Kotylyk was awarded first place for ‘CPR Bridge Parry Sound,’ Brigette Bere was awarded second place for ‘Raft lake—Dyptych,’ and honourable mentions went to Linda Mullola for ‘Ice Falls on Long Lake’ and Bill Whittaker for ‘Fall Fading Away.’
In the drawing category first place went to Astrid Colton for ‘On Silent Wings,’ second place went to Penny Bois for ‘Days End’ and honourable mentions went to Martin Kotyluk for ‘Look Who’s Watching’ and Sue Lampinen for ‘Babe in the Woods.’
In mixed media, first place was awarded to Lionel Venne for ‘Decoding an Ancient Landscape,’ second place went to Donna Montgomery for ‘Postponed Decisions’ and honourable mentions went to Beth Bouffard for ‘Nymphaea, Water Spirit’ and Mary-Lou MacDonald for ‘Flicker of Hope.’
In oil, Karin Fediw was awarded first place for ‘Rushing Water,’ second place went to Joan Chivot for ‘Golden Lady’ and honourable mentions went to Karen Rodgers for ‘The Forest Waltzes’ and Mark Hope for ‘Bloodlines.’
In pastels, Beth Bouffard took first for ‘Along the Creek (Spring),’ second place went to Sue Lampinen for ‘Last Light—Crooked Creek’ and honourable mentions went to Donna Kanerva for ‘Sundrenched’ and Bonnie Hallay for ‘Night Time Haileybury.’
Photography’s top honours were taken by Debbie Anzinger for ‘Great Horned Owl,’ while second place went to Rita Vanderhooft for ‘October.’ Honourable mention went to Debbie Anzinger for ‘Two Peas in a Pod.’
In sculpture, first place went to Lee Provost for ‘Breathe,’ second place went to John Basset for ‘Cherry Burl Wood Bowl’ and honourable mentions went to John Basset again for ‘Wood Bowl—Natural Light’ and Vic Laberge for ‘A Bit of This and That.’
In watercolour, Christine Basset was awarded first place for ‘Don’t Leave the Children,’ second place went to Laura Landers for ‘Glistening Birch,’ with honourable mentions for Richard Edwards’ ‘Calm Evening’ and Christie Best Pearson Anderson for ‘Sumacs.’
A special thanks went out to the students and teachers at Sacred Heart Catholic School (Espanola), Shawanosowe School (Whitefish River First Nation) and Little Current Public School for their creative artwork. La Cloche Art Show sponsor (and artist in her own right) Patricia Meehan proudly sponsored and presented the Patricia L. Meehan awards to: Grade 2, Jack Kainola, for ‘Symmetry;’ Grade 1-3, first to Annilyn Stephens, second to Olivia Pelletier, and honourable mentions to Phoebe Fox and Uriah Taibossigai; Grades 4-5, first to Carl Edward Zeigler; second to Laine Coleman, with honourable mention for Jeremiah Shawanda; Grade 6, Anicka Lepage-Veil; second to Laila Mae Taibossigai; and honourable mention for Brayson McGregor. The Patricia L. Meehan High School Award was presented to Katelyn Shank for ‘Mother’s Love.’
The 2023 LaCloche Art Show committee members were Sue Miron, Amy Collins, Judith Mosher, Heather Nicholson and Irene Kivikink. Jurors included Mr. Jewell (fine art), Sharon Preen (fine art), Helen Siksek (fine art) and Jeff St. Pierre (photography).
