View, and vote on the Shell of a Place exhibit

Tabitha Verbuyst, executive director/curator of the Station Arts Centre, displays a sampling of the turtle-themed pieces produced for the Shell of a Place exhibit. The people’s choice exhibit runs until July 24. (Jeff Helsdon photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The current exhibit at the Station Arts Centre gives viewers the opportunity to have input into their favourite piece.

Called Shell of a Place, the exhibit opened in conjunction with TurtleFest's official opening and runs until July 24.

“This is the second year where we’ve done this type of exhibit, where we did a call out to all artists for an exhibit to coincide with the opening of TurtleFest,” said Tabitha Verbuyst, executive director/curator. “It also gives the public a chance to participate in the people’s choice award by voting.”

The exhibit theme is connected to turtles and to the fact that they carry their homes on their backs wherever they go.

“It was a nice way to incorporate the idea of home into the overall scene,” Verbuyst said.

For the artists, there is an opportunity to sell their art and win the people’s choice award of $250. Many of them were present at the opening, which drew about 100 people.

“It also gives the artists a chance to participate because there is a chance something will resonate with the people,” Verbuyst said.

This year’s exhibit contains 43 pieces submitted by 24 artists. These include watercolours, acrylics, oils, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, mixed media, and digital drawings.

“It’s a robust variety of art and art mediums, which is nice,” Verbuyst said.

She was impressed with the increased number of digital entries.

“It’s nice to see those types of artists are pushing through despite AI,” Verbuyst said, adding there is a strict no AI policy for the exhibit

Of the artists whose work is displayed, 75 per cent are all new artists who didn’t participate last year. Most of the artists are based in Oxford County, and all are from the area. Verbuyst was happy some joined as members after taking part.

“I talked to a couple at the opening, and they were ecstatic to be part of something,” she said. “Hopefully it will boost their confidence, and they will continue to be a part of it.”

The exhibit is available for the public to view while the Station Arts Centre is open its normal hours, and during the Canada Day festivities.