Twenty of the region鈥檚 finest artists will square off this summer in a plein air art competition held to celebrate 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 first hundred years.
The shortlist of candidates in The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist as been finalized and each successful applicant has been assigned to one of four plein air 鈥榟eats鈥� slated for July in 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Spirit Square. The artists range in age from 19 to 70+ but have one thing in common: they love to create.
鈥淲e鈥檙e amazed by the depth of the talent pool,鈥� said Michael Riis-Christianson, curator of the Lakes District Museum & Gallery. 鈥淚f the submission works are any indication, choosing 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist will be a difficult task.鈥�
The contestants selected to participate in the event will have four hours to create a piece of two-dimensional art that wows a three-person jury. The work judged the best in each 鈥榟eat鈥� will earn its creator a spot in the semi-final to be held at a yet-to-be-determined location in 亚洲天堂 Lake on August 12. The three best artists will go through to the August 26 final at the Lakes District Museum.
Some artists have already started 鈥渢raining鈥� for their July heat by forcing themselves to create a work of art in four hours or less. Others have defied the weather and started painting in their backyards.
鈥淐reating a finished work of art in a few hours isn鈥檛 easy,鈥� noted Riis-Christianson. 鈥淎dd to that the difficulties associated with working outdoors鈥攃hanging light, variable weather, insects, and spectators, to name a few鈥攁nd you have an event that will challenge even the most accomplished artist. Plein air can be a recipe for disaster or a formula for greatness. We can鈥檛 wait to see what these people produce.鈥�
To make the challenge a bit easier, the Lakes District Museum Society will provide each of the 20 artists with access to a portable sun shelter and an easel. The contestants will be required to bring their own materials and personal items.
Candidates will also be paid for their time. Every 鈥榮anctioned鈥� artist who competes in the plein air events will receive a $100 gratuity鈥攅ven if he or she doesn鈥檛 win.
鈥淓veryone wins in this event,鈥� said Riis-Christianson. 鈥淭he artists will get paid just for showing up and producing art, and the community gets to see them at work.鈥�
The museum society is encouraging other artists to paint, sketch, or print along with the 20 contestants. As an incentive, the 鈥渨ildcard鈥� artist who creates the best work at each plein air session will receive a $50 prize鈥攁nd a chance to earn a spot in The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist semi-final.
鈥淥ur fundraising for this event was so successful that we will be able to offer additional prizes,鈥� Riis-Christianson said. 鈥淥ur sponsors have been extremely generous.鈥�
A total of $11,750 in prizes and artist gratuities will be up for grabs when the plein air events kick off in July. The grand prize is a commission to create a work of art reflecting 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 first century. It has a value of $2,000.
Prizes will also be awarded to the first runner-up, honorable mention, wildcard winner, Junior Centennial Artist, and fan favourite.
鈥淏eing crowned 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist will bring one artist a lot of recognition,鈥� Riis-Christianson said. 鈥淎nd who knows? It may be a springboard to other opportunities.鈥�
Anyone wanting more information on The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist can contact the museum by telephone (250-692-7450) or email (ldmuseumsociety@gmail.com).
