Calling all turtle artists for annual competition

Visitors to last year’s Turtlefest art competition check out the art on display during the opening ceremonies of both Turtlefest and the art competition. The event was such a success it’s going to run again this year. (File Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The Station Arts Centre is calling for artists of all types to submit their turtle art for this year’s art competition in connection with Turtlefest.

Called Shell of a Place, the exhibit opening will be held in conjunction with the opening ceremonies for Turtlefest, which the Station Arts Centre is hosting.

“It was nice because it was celebrating community and there were a lot of artists participating,” said Tabitha Verbuyst, Station Arts Centre executive director and curator.

Last year saw 25 entries in a variety of media, including paintings, photographs, wood burning, print making and others.

“That’s what we’re hoping for this year,” she said.

Verbuyst liked the collaboration between the contest and the opening last year as it drew out more people for the opening. It also showed more about the community’s culture.

Speaking more to the theme this year, she said, “It can be more about the nostalgia and feeling of what is home.”

Explaining it further, she said turtles carry their homes on their backs, and “in a way we do as well”. The theme could also incorporate the legend of George Tillson coming back as a turtle or turtle habitat. She said the theme could also be conceptual in how a home makes one feel.

“There are a lot of ways to interpret it, which is nice,” she said.

The contest will be open to all mediums and artists of all ages. It’s a juried competition where all works must be summitted online to ensure the entries meet gallery standards. Visitors to the exhibit can vote on their favourite in a people’s choice competition with a prize of $250. Verbuyst said as long as the standards are met, they will be accepted.

“As long as people are interested in showcasing their work, we want them to be able to participate.”

More information on entry is available at https://www.stationarts.ca/shell-of-a-place

Shell of a Place will open with Turtlefest on June 19 between 4 and 6 p.m., and run until July 24.