Fifteen established local artists contributed to this year’s ArtExpo, on display during the Wapiti Music Festival celebrations.
Each artist painted on an aluminum canvas, which was coated to protect it from the elements.
Vanessa Croome, Brad Hays, Drew Hampson, Dorothy Sharp, Melanie MacVoy, Aidan Lindsay, Judy Winter, Summer Breeze, Megan Haeusler, Amanda Haugrud, Pru Harshan, Pat Moore, Brina Schenk, Tyra Collombin, and Kathy Stead contributed. Each art piece was very different from its neighbour.
The artwork was set up on the lawn behind the festival seating area. Many walked around it, observing, admiring.
Afterwards, they were asked to choose their favourite piece. By the end of the weekend, over 630 people cast a vote, and the voting station ran out of ballots.
The on-site voters chose Aidan Lindsay’s work, for which she was awarded a $200 cash prize, sponsored by the Wapiti Music Festival. Lindsay had painted a highly detailed midnight landscape scene, which contained a tent pitched beside a foggy mountain lake.
The online voters chose Brad Hays as the winner, who also received a $200 cash prize, sponsored by The Arts Station. Hays had painted a moonlit scene of a moose walking through a snowy-mountain forest beside a bright yellow tent.
The goal of this show was to expose people to local talent in the communities of Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford.
“Our goal of exposing your art is being achieved,” said event organizer, Sandra Boer.
Two originals were bought on site by the end of the weekend.