Tumbler Ridge will play host for the fortieth annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition, now known as Open Sky–Peace Liard Regional Art Exhibition.
Over the next few months, local artists are invited to submit their art work. The call for submissions remains open until April 22, and is open to painters, sculptures, photographers, and all other artists. All mediums, sizes and formats will be accepted.
The name recently changed, adding “Open Sky” to the Exhibition. “Inspired by the stunning skyscapes of Northeastern BC, the name Open Sky speaks to the openness of opportunity to regional artists at all career stages working in all mediums,” says Haley Bassett, Executive Director for the Peace Liard Regional Arts Council.
And, while photography has always been a part of the show, this year includes a new “Distinguished Photography Award”.
All submissions will be accepted and adjudicated by two arts professionals, says Bassett. “We are excited to have Lynette La Fontaine, a Métis beadworker and Knowledge Keeper, as well as Cara Guri, a realist portraitist, serving as jurors this year.”
There are four cash awards. In addition to the new Distinguished Photography Award, there is a Distinguished Representational Award, a Distinguished Conceptual Award and a Distinguished Three-Dimensional Award. The winners of these four awards will receive $600. There are also nine additional Chosen Awards, Honorable Mentions and the Toni Onley Artists’ Project Scholarship, sponsored by Island Mountain Arts.
Once all the pieces are submitted, the plans are to hold the show at the Tumbler Ridge Visitor Center, and will be co-hosted by the Tumbler Ridge Community Arts Council. The exhibition runs from May 6 to May 30. “However, the event may take place online if required due to health restrictions,” cautions Bassett.
If the physical show goes ahead, there will be a grand opening on May 6 at 7 pm, an Artists’ Walk Through on May 7 from 10am-12pm and, later that afternoon, a Juror’s Virtual Artist Talks from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
The show is open to all artists in the Peace-Liard region or artists represented through a local arts council, including those who are arts administrators and PLRAC Board Members. Only original artwork is eligible. No copies from magazines, mechanical reproductions, kits, or commercial molds, and, says Bassett, Works previously entered in the Peace Liard Regional Juried Art Exhibit are ineligible. There is a limit of four entries per artist, $10 per entry.
To register, go to https://opensky.peaceliardarts.org/
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
