Abstract artist Ivana Zita showed off one of her pieces during the setup last year of the Artists on Main show at The Art Gallery Osoyoos. This year’s show, which opens Saturday, features all new pieces. The theme is “The Joy of Colour” and many artists in the group will have work on display. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Artists on Main opens their annual exhibition at The Art Gallery Osoyoos this Saturday.
The theme is “The Joy of Colour,” and the show will feature the work of many of the roughly 60 local artists who are members of the Osoyoos group.
Although the works shown will largely be paintings, artist Deb Sherwin, who is organizing this year’s show, said she will have some concrete sculptures and there will be a jeweler there as well.
Sherwin is one of the three artists whose concrete quail sculptures decorate the front lawn of the gallery.
“And who knows what else is going to come in?” she said, pointing out that she won’t see many of the works herself until the artists bring them in this Wednesday.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them,” Sherwin added.
The show kicks off with an opening reception Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
“Everyone is invited and the more the merrier,” said Sherwin. “We hope that people will come and take a look and see what kind of art is being produced in our little town by brilliant artists. It just blows me away when I look at what they’re doing.”
Sherwin doesn’t know how many of the members will be exhibiting.
“It’s an open call for all the Artists on Main and we just try and work to make sure that every artist who is a member of the club and wants to be represented is represented,” she said.
The show runs until Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Thanksgiving weekend.
Artists on Main meets in the upstairs studio above the gallery. The main days artists attend are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Sherwin said the club includes artists of all different skill levels and the more experienced artists will help beginners.
“Any time we have a new artist come in and they want some help, we’re there to give it,” she said, adding that new members are welcome.
Artists on Main was formed roughly 70 years ago and is one of the oldest groups in the community.
At one time it included potters, but the Osoyoos Potters is now a separate group.
The Art Gallery Osoyoos is located at 8713 Main Street. Starting with this exhibition, the gallery returns to its non-summer hours of Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
