In an effort to increase community engagement in the arts, the Estevan Arts Gallery and Museum is introducing its first Member Show.
The EAGM will host the inaugural Member Show to close out the 2013 artistic year, with the exhibition running from Nov. 30 to Dec. 20. It will run adjacent to the OSAC adjudicated art show featured in the gallery's main space, with the member show running in Gallery 2.
"Alongside (the adjudicated art) show, something we wanted to start, is our member show, which gives our members the opportunity to have their work on display," said new EAGM curator Ali King, who added that the exhibit is open to all members.
All entrants must do to be eligible to submit work is register as a member of the EAGM, if they haven't already, and everyone is able to submit two pieces for the exhibition. The exhibition accepts pieces in any medium.
"There are a number of artists and crafts people working in the community. I hope they will take us up on it," said King, who will curate the exhibit.
She noted the difference between the EAGM show and the adjudicated art show is that the works are only exhibited in the community art show and will not be judged.
"It's a group show, so their work can be seen alongside other people's in the community, which I think, is always interesting to see if there are any narratives emerging between different people's work, how they relate to one another. That's always exciting to see. It's sort of random selection.
"Nothing stringently links the works. It will be really interesting to see what people are making, what they're interested in at the moment, what their artistic concerns are and how they relate to each other in the community," said King.
The artist reception will be held on Nov. 30, when the gallery will invite all the artists showing work to appear at the public opening.
"That will be a nice opportunity for audiences to mingle. At least a good portion of (the artists) will be in attendance," said King, noting most artists are planning to attend.
"If they're emerging artists, it's really an opportunity to get their work seen. That's the whole point of making art. At the end of the day, it gets delivered to an audience. It's always interesting to see what viewers make of your work. The meanings of your work is out of your hands at that point, when it's seen by a viewer. People obviously bring all their own experiences and memories and feelings when they come to a gallery."
She also said it's a great chance for emerging artists who haven't had their work exhibited before to see how the exhibition and curating process works.
"We are looking for people. We want to encourage people to submit their work," said King who noted they would love to have more works for the exhibit.
"It's an opportunity for the EAGM to reach out to the community and offer a space for exhibition. We do have our project space in the smaller gallery here, which we use often for local work, but this is a purely community-based, local show. It gives people the opportunity to see their work displayed and have it curated."
King said they will accept work up until Nov. 25, and they need all works at the gallery by that time so everything can be displayed.
Any artists looking to get involved may contact King at the gallery.
