Exhibits 2011
A Bird in the Hand
January 11th to January 28th, 2011
Since early man first saw birds take flight, these winged creatures have captured the imagination. Birds have been features in religious symbolism of many of the world’s cultures; inspired the musings of philosophers, poets and other writers, motivated the investigations of scientists architects and engineers, and have been the constant subject in the visual arts.
The art works in A Bird in the Hand examines the many ways that the subject of birds has been approached by visual artists. Featured art work produced in a variety of media by some of Alberta’s most renown artists and art educators, this exhibition examines how birds have been portrayed and also explores some of the reasons for, and possible meanings behind these investigations.
Cheongju Selection
January 11th to January 28th, 2011
The Cheongju International Craft Biennale in South Korea is one of the largest fine arts events in the world. Canada was the 2009 guest country and work by more than 200 Canadian craft artists was presented in the Canadian pavilion for a 40 day festival that attracted over a half a million visitors from 50 countries. The Cheongju Selection is a touring exhibit of selected work by Alberta Craft artists presented at the Biennale.
This exhibition features works in a large range of media including glass, clay, metal, and fibre and offers a glimpse of how these artists responded to the theme of the biennale which was Outside the Box. The theme proposed that craft be considered or approached as a whole, rather than as a series of fragmented or contending disciplines. To think outside the box is to transcend conditions and boundaries through the human facility of imagination.
The practice of craft is intrinsically the intercommunication between mankind and the immensity of nature. This is a substantial principle in which all arts and crafts were once united. What we term craft, as much as any art form, should in itself have the power to unify and represent all human values in the here and now.
Artists represented in the exhibition include Linda Chow, Charles Lewton-Brain, John Chalke, Scott Hardy, Crys Horse, Mary Sullivan Holgrafer, James Lavoie, Darren Petersen, Tyler Rock, Carol and Richard Selfridge, Do-Hee Sung and Barbara Tipton.
Eric Cameron
February 4th to February 25th, 2011
Eric Cameron was born and educated in Britain but has lived most of his life in Canada. Currently he is a professor of art at the University of Calgary. He has published extensively and his work has been exhibited widely both nationally and internationally.
Dare to Imagine. Try to imagine a world where art is an exercise in controlled unpredictability. Such is the work of Eric Cameron. His thick paintings are produced by applying coat after coat of thick gesso to objects that become transformed beyond recognition in the process. As he continues to add more coats, the Thick Paintings continue to be transformed in ways that continue to take the artist by surprise.
Cameron's earlier Process Paintings were produced by applying paint through grids of Sellotape (an English equivalent to scotch tape). Regular checkerboards might be anticipated, the tape could never be made to run precisely straight so all the irregularities creep in, creating a more dynamic visual structure. These works have kinship with both Minimalism and Op Art, which were prevalent in the time that they were made.
This exhibit provides a glimpse into the art Eric Cameron has produced in his long and intriguing career.
Fresh Paint
February 4th to February 25th, 2011
There are many connotations for the word fresh - newly made, arrived of obtained, not known or used before, recent, not spoiled or stale, vigorous, lively, bright, not faded or worn, appearing youthful or healthy, fairly strong or brisk in character. The many applications from this term can aptly describe the diverse styles of painting found in this enjoyable and informative exhibition. Fresh paint features emerging and veteran painters vitally connected to Southern Alberta. Like countless artists over the millennia, they have chosen to manipulate paint in an effort to reflect the sights, sounds, and sensations of their environment.
Artists represented in this exhibit include: Jason Bartziokas, TheKidBelo, Macheal Cameron, Curtis Cutshaw, Dave and Jen, Mark Dicey, Alexandra Haeseker, Bradley Harms, Mark Holliday, Geoffrey Hunter, Charles Malinsky, Erik Olson, Glen Semple, Aaron Sidorenko, Laurel Smith, and Christopher Willard.
People, Every Which Way
March 4th to March 19th, 2011
Janet Enfield
There is nothing like a good story. Janet Enfield likes to tell visual stories using her oil paints to touch emotion; make you smile or remind you of a time or a person from the past. She looks for her stories everywhere and they often show up in the most unusual places. All she needs is one idea and it will bloom like the flowers in her garden. Touching hearts, moving minds. The inspirations are everywhere.
People, Places, Art
March 4th to March 19th, 2011
Colleen Phillips
Colleen Phillips was born and raised in the Wells/Barkerville and Bowron Lakes area of British Columbia. Growing up she developed a unique way of viewing the world around her, one that she has taken into her chosen art, Photography. The lens of her camera tends to focus on one simple facet of the bigger picture; the image being the bug on the pedal instead of the flower, on the crack in the glass of a window pane instead of the entire building.
In this exhibit, Colleen includes the photographs that represent the beauty that can be found all around us, whether it be a busy city street scene, a candid portrait or an abandoned car in a field. Beauty is everywhere; it's just a matter of being able to see it.
Exploring Art
March 21st to April 16th , 2011
"Time Out for Seniors" at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery
Starting out as a program to introduce seniors to creative expression through acrylic painting, Exploring Art has grown to be a journey of creative exploration for adults of all ages. Meeting on Wednesday afternoons in the Bin Top Studio, the students who began with volunteer teacher Edna McPhail are joined by other emerging artists and continue to meet and share Edna's love of painting with each other. This exhibit celebrates the love of painting, sharing, and learning.
Mixed Media
April 18th to May 14th, 2011
Students from the Visual Arts programs in School District #59
The Dawson Creek Art Gallery explores the limitless imagination and talent of regional students from the middle and secondary schools in School District #59. A wide variety of works will be on display from traditional and contemporary painting to sculpture and media arts.
Federation of Canadian Artists
May 16th to June 6th, 2011
Peace River Chapter
The Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) is a community of artists and art lovers. Its mission is to share and promote the passion and pleasure of the visual arts through exhibition, education and communication.
Founded in 1941 by a group of influential artists, including Group of Seven luminary, Lauren Harris, it continues to operate as a non-profit organization with chapters throughout Canada. Dedicated to its aim of gradually raising the artists' standards by stimulating participants to greater heights of achievement, the Federation encourages membership among all that seek to nurture and appreciate art.
This exhibit features the members of the newest formed and most northern chapter of the FCA, the Peace River Chapter.
In the Summertime
June 13th to August 13th, 2011
Members of the South Peace Art Society
Each year the Dawson Creek Art Gallery features the work of members of the South Peace Art Society in a group exhibit of their work. In the Summertime brings together the varied styles and impressive talents of over 60 local painters, photographers, fabric artists, woodworkers, potters, metal workers, and sculptors.
Life's Mosaic
August 15th to September 10th, 2011
Donna Ony, Darcy Jackson, Jane Kelly and Wendy Butters
Four individual artists whose work in this show grows from the realization that art and painting has been intertwined within the fabric of each of their lives, inspiration coming from life experiences and life experiences coming from a love of painting. Although each artist has developed her own preferences of subject and media, the commonality of this connection to creativity is evident within the full body of the exhibit.
Just Breathe
September 13th to October 8th, 2011
Carrie Klukas
Through the tenants of abstract expressionism Carrie Klukas explores concepts of space, materiality and emotion. She allows her subconscious to explore and breathe through her painting techniques. The abstraction becomes the vehicle for reflective meditation. The method of "negotiating" through additive and subtractive techniques of painting support a mediated critique between perception, passion and proficiency as she works. In the resulting works Carrie asks the viewer to reflect upon the elements of painting as part of their own subconscious negotiation.
Carrie's painting process utilizes both additive and subtractive elements which produce illusionary depths, surface and textures. The substrates she uses in my paintings are sanded, often revealing the built-up method of their creation. Aristotle's doctrine traces all elements back to a common prime matter or prima materia, while alchemist's held the belief of bringing fallen creation back to a paradisal or primal state. The process of sanding becomes a metaphor for removing all blocks and obstacles to reveal the hidden magnificence within; much like a subconscious exploration of self.
Most of the resulting works are chiaroscuro in nature, subconsciously revealing how darkness is as much a part of our life's journey as is the light. Carrie's work also renders the very nature of their creation exposing the "prima materia" or substrate as a disclosure of their materiality.
No preliminary sketches are required because the exploration in paint is a visceral reaction. Each work shares a solitary meditation, however, when viewed as a grouping the shared experience takes on an added energy; they breathe.
Art of the Peace Juried Exhibit
October 11th to November 5th, 2011
Art of the Peace Member Artists
The Art of the Peace is a non-profit membership organization of artists and art-appreciators representing the Peace Region of Alberta and British Columbia. As well as promoting the work of regional artists and providing a venue for networking and education, the Art of the Peace produces a high quality art magazine and hosts an annual Art Symposium. This juried exhibit will coincide with the 2011 Symposium to be held in Dawson Creek on October 14th to 16th.
South Peace Art Society Annual Christmas Show and Gift Fair
November 12th, 2011 to January, 2012
South Peace Art Society Members
Join the Dawson Creek Art Gallery and the members of the South Peace Art Society in a Celebration of Christmas. As part of the festivities, our member's exhibit will be on display with a wide range of artistic styles and media and we will be hosting our annual Gift Fair. There will be a Grand Opening for the Christmas Exhibit and Gift Fair on November 14th from 10-5pm.