The Art Olympics Exhibit opens at the Station Gallery

A group of St. Marys Station Gallery visitors stopped in at the opening of the exhibit and took time to vote for their favourite creative artwork.

By Wendy Lamond

The hard work and talent of both children and adults who have participated in St. Marys Station Gallery’s art education program over the last year is now on display as part of a new exhibit.

The Art Olympics exhibit opened Jan. 31 and runs until Feb. 28. The first-time “Art Olympics” exhibit, which coincides with the Winter Olympic Games in Milan, presents a diverse range of creative artwork that can be voted on in a variety of categories.

There was a good showing on opening day this past Saturday as the gallery welcomed the public in to view the pieces and opened judging.

The Art Olympics was a legitimate category within the Olympics from 1915-1952. Subjects like painting, sculpture, architecture, literature and music were recognized with gold, silver and bronze medals but the category was eventually ended because most of the artists were professionals and the International Olympic Committee believed it contradicted the amateur Olympic spirit of the games.

Voting will remain open throughout the exhibit’s run, ending on Feb. 28. Anyone who comes to see the work on display can vote for their favourites in the following categories:

• Best drawing by a child

• Best drawing by an adult

• Best watercolour by an adult

• Best watercolour by a child

• Best use of colour by an adult

• Best use of colour by a child

• Best depiction of a building

• Best landscape

• Best artwork of an animal

• Best acrylic painting

• Best still life

• Best collage

• Best work done in ink

• Best composition

• Favourite artwork by an adult

• Favourite artwork by a child

Curator Duncan MacDonald said choosing artwork to display was a nearly impossible feat.

“There have been hundreds of works created over the past year, mostly by people who are brand new to making art,” he said. “Choosing a couple dozen to present was extremely tough. … What you see here is the culmination of lots of work by a group of talented individuals.”

Adult artists exhibiting their work include Vivian Reid, Debbie Lemmons, Julie Robson, Kelley Coghlin, Monica MacInnis, Tammy Chapman, Tine Crossfield and Joan Sandwith. Children who are exhibiting work include Stella Timmins, Alex (the Great), Emily Andren, Valeri (the victorious), Anna and Sophie and Ella Mekis.

Gallery hours are Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. Marys Station Gallery is located in the beautiful train station building at 5 James St. N.