Ok I know it’s a variation on a cliché, but there is truth in the statement. In this time of incredible turmoil and uncertainty, I can share a bit of certainty.
The 27th annual exhibition will be held on November 5th, 2020 as always. We plan to hold our one-night exhibition at Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, but we realize the pandemic will require flexibility.
It seems particularly important in this moment to uphold those things we are able to, to recognize the things that give us comfort and a sense of normal, and to make plans for something to work towards and look forward to.
This isn’t to say that everything will be the same. With social distancing measures there may be changes to logistics such as the line up, food and wine service, the purchase desk and limits to the number of attendees in the exhibition rooms at one time, we are not quite sure yet. However, we will be sure to take all precautions to ensure the safety of our guests and volunteers.
If we are not allowed to gather together once again, the exhibition may have to happen in smaller shifts or move online only. I’m getting ahead of myself and speculating at this point, but one way or another, the show will go on.
As those who follow my work know, my November exhibitions have a central theme based on our recent travels to a specific city or country, with a smaller series of landscapes from back-country trips in Canada. Since we are not able to travel this year, I’m taking the opportunity to look closer to home for the beauty I normally seek while travelling. We are all likely getting to know our own homes, communities, cities and province much better these days, which I think is a gift - opening ourselves to all that our own back yards have to offer. However I am also dreaming of and remembering the places we’ve been fortunate enough to see and am enjoying reliving these experiences through new paintings.
The exhibition will include several series: architectural paintings comparing scenes from home and abroad, landscapes based on our own “back yard”, and a series of still lifes exploring vintage music and fabric, two of my favourite isolation therapies.
Another sure thing is that artists of all disciplines are in a highly creative moment, producing new works and new ways of presenting their achievements to the world. As part of the audience I take solace in and am grateful for this outpouring. As an artist I am fortunate to count myself among this group and look forward to sharing my new work with you in November. Meanwhile, take care of each other, stay well and safe.
