Every year The Arts Station is graced with works from the Fernie Visual Arts Guild during their annual gallery exhibit, and this year's show is sure to impress! The Visual Arts Guild is an informal group of artists that meets regularly at The Arts Station in a fun and accepting atmosphere. The group members share opinions, offer critiques and have a designated time and place to create.
Every year the guild expands their artistic horizons by taking workshops in different mediums. In past years, they have been instructed in mixed media, acrylic, watercolour, sculpture and this year they focused on photography. Photography is vital to visual artists as many artists use photographs as a reference when they paint; while others enjoy the art of photography as an entity within itself. Thanks to the generous support of Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance the guild held two photography workshops this year, both led by local photographer Kyle Hamilton. The first workshop was an introduction to photography where members of the guild focused on learning about the technical aspects of using their cameras and the components that make up a great photo. The second workshop focused on how to make a good photo extraordinary through composition and subject matter, taking the skills they learned in the first workshop to the next level.
This exhibition will showcase the skills honed in the two workshops. The viewer can expect to see photographs and dynamic works of painting, drawing, and mixed media inspired by photography. Everyone is invited to the opening reception on Thursday, July 31 at 7 p.m. to view Photo Finish, enjoy refreshments and meet the artists. The show will be open daily and will continue until August 25 at The Arts Station.