WHITEFISH FALLS—Getting a piece into the juried La Cloche Art Show is a seminal highpoint in many artist’s careers, such is the competition.
Before the opening reception on June 30, this year’s distinguished artist Kathy Dolan of Espanola provided a workshop on how she creates her stunning pastel landscapes which was very well attended.
“I am just so thrilled and surprised,” said Ms. Dolan on being chosen as Distinguished Artist for the 39th juried show. “Ever since I first entered the show it has been an aspiration of mine to be a featured artist.”
La Cloche Art Show Committee Chair Carmela Ciccarelli welcomed the artists to the reception and award show, giving thanks to the many artists, volunteers and sponsors who help to make the show an outstanding success. “A working partnership between artists, sponsors and community is a must to ensure that the La Cloche Art Show will continue to be vibrant and dynamic well into the future,” she said. “A thank you to this year’s committee Jon and Kerry Butler, Trudy and Peter Bolduc, David and Sheila Cole, Mary Sue Bourget, Nicole Medynski, Judith Mosher and Rachelle Newton.”
Ms. Ciccarelli also thanked this year’s jurors, including Ms. Dolan, Marsha Burden, Rose Cardinal, Hugh Kruzel and Garth Wunsch. “Thank you for your expertise and time,” she said.
The chair made special mention of the elementary school art the show received this year from participating schools A.B. Ellis Public School, Espanola Pubic School, Little Current Public School, Espanola’s Sacred Heart Public School, Whitefish River First Nation’s Shawanosowe School and St. Joseph’s in Espanola.
“As always,” concluded Ms. Ciccarelli, “we are honoured to show three pieces from our artist emeritus, Ivan Wheale, one of the co-founders of this show.”
Elementary school awards this year included: first, Paige Eadie for ‘Fox’s Perch’; second Michelle Desbien for ‘The Galaxy’; while honourable mentions went to Aaron Seltzer for ‘Canadian Moose’ and Nathan Carney for ‘Misty Forest.’
In the acrylic category, Suzanne Lindsay was awarded first prize for ‘Untamed,’ Barry Bowerman received second prize for ‘Mourning Glory’ and honourable mentions went to Bill Whittaker for ‘The Crack’ and Suzanne Lindsay for ‘Ragged Edges.’
In drawing, first prize went to Donna Kanerva for ‘Gossip Girls,’ second prize went to Beth Bouffard for ‘Almost Home’ and an honourable mention went to Ruth Wallace for ‘Harvest Moon Dancer.’
In mixed media, Berdina Beaven won first prize for ‘Cascading Waters,’ second prize went to Laura Landers for ‘Low Waters’ and honourable mentions went to Linda Helin for ‘Glimpse of the Spirit World’ and Lionel Venne for ‘The Beaver Pond.’
In oil, first prize went to Karin Fediw for ‘End of Day,’ second prize went to David Read for ‘Maybe?’ and honourable mentions went to Carol Rodrigue for ‘Return to Sender’ and Andrew Gallagher for ‘On Grace Lake.’
In pastel, first prize went to Beth Bouffard for ‘Summer Visitors,’ second prize went to Vivian Ripley for ‘Go With The Flow’ and honourable mentions went to Debra Lynn Ireland for ‘What Are You Chicken?’ and Susan O’Donnell for ‘Worth A Second Look.’
In photography, Gaetanne Riopel took both first and second, for ‘In Flight’ and ‘Le Moulin’ respectively, and honourable mentions went to Mary Lou Bickell for ‘Inner Beauty’ and Pierre Leroux for ‘Manitoulin Pink.’
In sculpture, first prize went to Gene Solomon for ‘Jackleg Miner’ and second prize went to Darren Mick for ‘Maple Leaf Mask,’ while honourable mention went to Don Alemany for ‘A Dandy Day (American Goldfinch).’
In the watercolour category, Richard Edwards won first prize for ‘Clear Water,’ second prize went to Ruth Reid for ‘Rhapsody’ and honourable mentions went to Merle Canjar for ‘Full Bloom’ and Sheila Cole for ‘Primrose Pool.’
The Committee’s Choice Award went to Cliff Jewell for ‘57 Chev Bel Air.’
The Peg Forbes Award went to Jay Favot for ‘The Crack.’
The Ivan Wheale Award went to Mary Lou MacDonald for ‘Hoot.’
Best of Show was won by David read for ‘Flowing Rocks.’
The La Cloche Art Show is on now until Sunday, July 10 at the Whitefish Falls Community Centre and is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm daily.
