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Showcasing Sarnia’s growing arts scene

Cathy Dobson Three local women want to give undiscovered artists in Sarnia-Lambton a chance to exhibit their work in a professional, curated show.
ArtsJournal12
Laura Kreviazuk, left, and Melissa Upfold are two of three curators for the upcoming LOCAL Curated Art Show on June 3. Missing is curator Morgan Shropshall. Cathy Dobson

Cathy Dobson

Three local women want to give undiscovered artists in Sarnia-Lambton a chance to exhibit their work in a professional, curated show.

“I’ve volunteered at a lot of galleries and I think we lack shows where you don’t pay fees and where you don’t have to be a known artist,” said Melissa Upfold who came up with the concept.

She and artists Laura Kreviazuk and Morgan Shropshall are curators for Sarnia’s first LOCAL Curated Art Show, a one-night pop-up event to be held First Friday June 3 to kick off Artwalk weekend.

Submissions closed May 6 and the curators received more than 50 works from a wide assortment of artists, many who have never participated in a show of any kind.

“That’s just what we wanted,” said Upfold. “We also received submissions from established artists. We welcome everyone.”

The three curators intend to spend at least a week deciding which 30 pieces will make up their first LOCAL Curated Art Show. They’ll also determine how the pieces will be displayed at 100 Christina Street’s community and cultural centre, which is also headquarters for Artwalk.

“We want to present a show with a lot of thought, spend time with the art, appreciate it and treat it with respect,” said Upfold.

“We’re hoping to welcome a good number of new people who will join Sarnia’s art scene.”

Applications were accepted from painters, photographers, sculptors and those who made installations.

Kreviazuk, 30, is an artist who graduated from Northern, studied Studio Art at university, worked with an artists’ collective in Toronto for a few years and decided to return home. She says she is encouraged by Sarnia’s vibrant cultural community.

“I am trying to pursue art full time here,” she said. “Personally, I am just excited to be surrounded by so many local artists. There is so much hidden talent and passion in Sarnia and I am so excited to be a part of something that pulls that out of people.”

She has been commissioned to paint the large floor-to-ceiling windows that span the entire front of 100 Christina St.  Throughout May, Kreviazuk will be using paint donated by the community to create a 3-D mural on the glass wall. The mural is a way to draw attention to the LOCAL Curated Art Show, she said.

Each day, Upfold will photograph the work-in-progress and post pictures at www.artlocalsarnia.ca. The public is also welcome to take photos and post them.

Kreviazuk says it’s impossible to say what the finished mural will look like.

“I don’t work with a predetermined idea,” she said. “But I tend to have a muted palette and an industrial feel.”

She is used to working with all kinds of materials but painting the window with donated paint of every sort will be a challenge, she said.

The finished mural will be unveiled at the one-night LOCAL Curated Art Show.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: A curated art show particularly for undiscovered local artists. Refreshments, live musicians and poets.

WHEN: Friday, June 3 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., followed by the Artwalk kickoff party featuring local band Weird Neighbours.

WHERE: 100 Christina St.

DETAILS: Free; everyone is welcome.

The Arts Journal reflects what’s going on with Sarnia’s cultural community. If you have an idea, send it to [email protected] or call 226-932-0985. 


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