WALDEN—The Northern Ontario Art Association’s (NOAA) 58th Annual Juried Exhibition took place in front of a packed house at the Walden (Lively) Arena in Greater Sudbury on Saturday, September 20. The exhibition included around 200 art works from 16 member art clubs in Northern Ontario. The jurors selected 39 pieces for this exhibition that will tour Northern Ontario for the next year.
The Manitoulin Fine Arts Association (MFAA) had four members’ art works selected for the touring show: Christie Best-Pearson, Richard Edwards, Kathy Dolan and Beth Bouffard. The NOAA exhibition is scheduled to arrive on Manitoulin Island next June and will be on display at the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah.
At the awards ceremony, two MFAA artists were awarded. Kagawong artist Richard Edwards received the Manitoulin Transport Award for his watercolour painting ‘Northern Impressions #2.’ Kathy Dolan of Espanola received the Desjardins Caisse Populaire Sudbury award for her pastel painting ‘Top of the Mornin’ To You’ and Beth Bouffard of Whitefish Falls received an Honourable Mention.
Jeff Smith, executive vice president for Manitoulin Transport, who is a major sponsor and NOAA’s “Carrier of Choice,” was on hand to present the Manitoulin Transport award. The NOAA has been in existence over 60 years and they emphasized that without sponsors like Great West Life and Manitoulin Transport it would be very difficult for an organization like theirs to continue.
The NOAA also hosted a successful Plein Air Artists Colony based out of the Harbour Centre in Gore Bay this past August. This event was in collaboration with The Gore Bay Museum, co-hosted by Convenor Nicole Weppler, with input from Margo Little and the Manitoulin Writers’ Circle. At their annual meeting the NOAA agreed to continue with this colony in Gore Bay on an annual basis. Christie Best-Pearson (NOAA board member and acting president of the MFAA) and Nicole Weppler will once again be convening the event.
The Manitoulin Fine Arts Association celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. They had a successful Art Tour last July and a record number of participants, 104 artists taking part at 36 locations around the Island.
On Friday, September 26, the MFAA Members Show opens at the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah. You are cordially invited to the opening reception on Saturday, September 27 from 2 to 4 pm. Museum fall hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9 am to 4:30 pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
The MFAA is encouraging anyone interested in joining to please let them know. Check out their website at www.manitoulinart.com for more information about the association and for application forms.
