After joining the Wellspring Visual Art Network Association this spring, Innisfail artist Dustine Kinsella was blown away by the talent and encouragement shared among regional artists.
“The artist network is so special in the regards to how we support one another's work and how we are always looking to help one another,” said Kinsella. “It's something like you wish the world would be like.”
So it wasn't difficult for Kinsella to agree to take part in the network's annual ArtWalk event, which is celebrating its eighth year and opens June 28.
The event allows regional artists to showcase their work at local businesses in Carstairs, Didsbury, Innisfail, Olds and Sundre.
This year's ArtWalk features 34 artists from Bearberry, Sundre, Olds, Didsbury, Innisfail, Bowden, Huxley, Carstairs, Caroline, Okotoks and Cremona with 35 businesses participating.
Last year's event featured 31 artists and 31 businesses.
As a newcomer to the event, Kinsella, whose work will be on display at the Cocoa Tree Bake Shoppe in Olds, said she is looking forward to seeing how ArtWalk gives local artists exposure they might not normally receive and fosters a sense of community in the region.
“With the ArtWalk (people) can go on a journey this summer and they can explore the artist in their area,” she said, adding she hopes those who come out to see local artists and their works learn about what art can do for people.
“People can get healed by art. People can get inspired by art.”
Kinsella's preferred medium is “contemporary” acrylic and she said she has developed a signature style.
“Anybody could tell it's my work.”
She added she began exploring her artistic side in 2002 because of a “desire” to create and her inspiration comes from countless places.
“It could be colours, it could be something out of a magazine or something that I see visually in my imagination,” she said.
Along with the benefits to the artists participating in the event, network president Osi Cruz-Lahtinen said ArtWalk also brings out a “sense of community.”
“It's not only about promoting art and businesses, per se, that is a given,” she said. “But it's also attracting people and encouraging entrepreneurship, encouraging creativity, encouraging communication and networking, those kinds of things that are appealing to build community.”
A strong showing of “enthusiasm” for the event in the past is what has allowed ArtWalk to return for an eighth year, she added.
An official kickoff event is planned for July 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Olds' Mountain View Museum and Archives and this year's ArtWalk runs until Sept. 1.
Along with displays at various businesses, the museum will also showcase a rotating collection of works from participating artists throughout the summer.
For more information on ArtWalk, visit http://wellspringvisualartnetwork.com or call 403-227-6046 or 403-559-8058 and look for ArtWalk sandwich boards outside of participating businesses.
