A metal sculptor from Ireland who was among those who checked out this weekend's inaugural Sundre Fine Arts Expo said different art forms are vehicles for creativity.
“Sometimes people need to dance, to shout, to sing, to smell, to taste — and a lot of the world that we live in is reducing our exposure to senses,” said Dirk Hudson, from Dublin, who was in Sundre visiting in-laws and friends.
“I don’t see that much here in this part of the world, because you’re overloaded by so many good things,” said Hudson.
Dirk Hudson, from Dublin, Ireland, enjoyed the opportunity not only to see the work of other artists, but also to share a few conversations with them.
A tradesman who works in the metal industry, he said art came to him later in life, partly as a result of seeking a way to improve mental health. Everyone has the potential to be creative, a liberating process that can be therapeutic, but the key is discovering the right vehicle to channel that energy, he said.
“I just found that I had a language within this material,” he said, referring to metalwork.
Artists who put their work out make themselves vulnerable and inevitably face some amount of criticism from the public, he said.
“What I really enjoy about people who are committing themselves to learning to see and to finding a language is that they will connect with the right people,” he said.
“None of us will have lots and lots of really close friends. But through art, you can actually find people who get you, and all of a sudden you’re having a conversation you didn’t know that you needed to have. That can happen in a place like this today, because you’ll see something you weren’t expecting.”
Since everyone has their own individual life experience, two people can look at the same piece and take away a completely different perspective, he said.
“The conversation you and I might have will never have happened unless we saw that image together,” he said, adding for that reason he prefers attending art expos with others.
Hudson called Sundre a healthy, idyllic town to be in that he boasts about back home for having amenities — such as an indoor pool and sizeable library — that even some larger communities don’t have, an achievement he said is made possible by citizens who are engaged.
Remembering Calgary before the urban sprawl started crawling beyond Country Hills, Hudson said he has seen lots of change, but that he likes that Sundre has retained what cities largely have lost.
“A lack of traffic and time for each other.”
Melany Sealy, event organizer, local artist, and owner of Rusty Brush Art and Gifts, said 17 artists exhibited their work, with some 650 people attending throughout the weekend. Most of them, some 80 per cent, came from farther away, including places such as Montana, Québec and England. Several riders from the third annual Sundre Slingfest also dropped by, she said.
Melany Sealy, the event’s organizer, was among the artists to participate in the live painting competition. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
“Everything worked out really well,” she said, adding some people were waiting to come in as soon as the doors opened at the Sundre Community Centre on Saturday morning.
Although about 20 artists had been expected, she said a few ended up being unable to make it.
“It’s amazing the talent that these people have,” she said.
Six artists, including Sealy, participated in the live competition wherein each contestant had 30 minutes to create a piece featuring a subject of their choice using acrylic paint.
Six artists had 30 minutes to complete a painting, after which the viewing public voted for their favourite piece. A silent auction for the paintings raised funds for the Mountain View Food Bank. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Hannah Larson, a budding artist who graduated from Sundre High School last year and is currently working as a heavy equipment operator for a local company, was among the competitors. Larson had never participated in a live competition, but has been painting for a number of years.
“Just never that fast!” said Larson.
Hannah Larson, who last year graduated from Sundre High School, participated in her first live painting competition.
Before the competition, Hudson met Larson and bought some of her work.
“I could see that her work of local scenery had a depth that some work doesn’t have,” he said, adding he felt influenced by Larson’s art, specifically her take on a tree.
“The stimulation for me in meeting other artists is great.”
The other four competing artists were Amanda Frost from Red Deer, Rhonda van Vlaanderen from the James River Bridge area, Dax Stringer from Sundre and Raevyn Berg from Sylvan Lake.
Rhonda van Vlaanderen, from the James River Bridge area, paints a sunflower during the live competition. Her piece later went on to be voted as people’s choice. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
“I’m just impressed with what they did in 30 minutes!” said Janis Simmons, a volunteer.
After the timer expired and the artists put down their brushes, the paintings were displayed for the viewing public to choose their favourite as well as to place bids in a silent auction that raised funds for the Mountain View Food Bank. People were also encouraged to vote for their favourite exhibit.
The winner of the live art competition, which raised a little more than $200, was Rhonda van Vlaanderen, while the people’s choice for the best artist’s booth was Amanda Frost's. The runner-up was Karen Courtney, from the Caroline area, said Sealy.
Amanda Frost, from Red Deer, paints a colourful depiction of a wolf. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Harley Brightman, a lifetime Sundre resident, came out with wife Norine, who is also an artist and wanted to see some other talent as well as perhaps find some inspiration along the way.
“It’s great,” she said about the expo, hopeful the event becomes annual.
“There’s some nice work here. I’m really impressed,” said Harley.
“This is great for the first year,” said Simmons about the art expo, adding, “If she (Sealy) decides to do it again next year, it’ll be even better!”
Sealy expressed appreciation for the support of sponsors and volunteers, without whom the expo would not have been possible. Chatting with artists and attendees who came out, she said many people asked her to make sure the event becomes annual.
“We’ll definitely put it on again next year.”
Alyce Wickert, from Duchess, who goes by the moniker The Crazy Mosaic Lady, enjoys breaking glass and refashioning the shards into new, colourful creations. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Pat Dahlman, from the James River Bridge area, shares a laugh with local photographer Mike Kapiczowski, who was among the artists displaying their work, after purchasing some postcards. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Local artisan Ray Coté, left, chats with Alec Macklin, who came out with wife Anne from the Eagle Valley area. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
