.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

HAY RIVER - The Prairie Gallery in Grand Prairie, Alta., is sending 15 pieces of art to Hay River for an upcoming show in collaboration with local artists.

Titled Building Stories, the architecturally-themed exhibit is pieced together from the gallery's permanent collection.

Photographers Chrissie Morgan and Scott Clouthier will display work at Building Stories: Hay River and Beyond starting May 2 in the library. - photo courtesy of Scott Clouthier

"It is a group of paintings and drawings that have been done by an eclectic group of artists from all over Alberta over a wide period," said gallery curator Todd Schaber.

The 15 drawings and paintings include work by notable Alberta artists Margaret Sheldon, Peter Von Tiesenhausen and Euthemia McNaught. McNaught studied under group of seven artist A.Y. Jackson, accompanying him during his painting tour along the Alaska highway.

The initiative grew out of the three-year-old Hay River Artists Co-op, a group of local artists which organizes annual exhibitions in the community.

"We started out of the blue in 2006 and said 'hey, we need an arts group,'" said co-ordinator Chrissie Morgan, who was among the emerging artists who participated in the photography mentorship program at the 2008 Arctic Winter Games. "Newcomers come and go. We have open shows so you don't have to be a member to take part."

The group organized its first show at the high school in spring of 2007 and followed with a second show in the library a few months later in November. The members continue to hold a couple of shows a year in spring and winter.

"Hay River didn't have a strong visual arts display so we started to hold these events to show off arts in Hay River," Morgan said.

Morgan is preparing a collage based on the local Catholic church. Participating artists are encouraged to contribute work that plays with the exhibit title, Building Stories. Work is accepted for display until April 24.

Scott Clouthier is in Mexico this week travelling the Mayan Riviera. He plans to submit his photos from the trip when he returns from the adventure.

"I'm hoping to be able to take some pictures of some interesting architecture," he said. "I'm excited to do a real good job of it."

A photojournalist, Clouthier showed photos taken at the Arctic Winter Games and nature and landscape portraits in previous events staged by the co-op.

"I think it's great for Hay River to have people who are willing to donate their time to organize stuff like this," he said.

"It's meeting a need and getting artists together."

Micayla Gammon is collaborating with a friend to produce a collage based on the church in Fort Good Hope for the show. She contributed about eight acrylics to the co-op's last event at Aurora College last November. She said she also appreciates the opportunity to have a place to display work in her community.

"Art has been an enjoyment since I was a little kid," she said. "I enjoy the ability to sit down and do whatever comes to mind."

The Building Stories: Hay River and Beyond opening gala is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, in the Hay River Centennial Library. The exhibition will be on display until May 31.