St. Vital Art Group to hold show, sale - Winnipeg Free Press

ST. VITAL

An established southeast Winnipeg-based art club is preparing to once again hold one of its flagship community events.

The St. Vital Art Club will hold its annual show and sale on Fri., April 29 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Sat., April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Meadowood United Church, which is located at 1111 Dakota St.

More than 20 artists are set to showcase their work at the free event, which is returning after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. There will also be a silent auction, bake sale, and a canteen on the Saturday, organizers say.

Nikki Braun, the clubs co-president along with Joanne Johnston, said pandemic restrictions in the last two or so years have been difficult for the clubs members, and artists in general, not least because artists lead a relatively singular existence during the creative process.

Our members are mostly retired, and as artists we all experience a fair amount of solitude, Braun said, noting the group traditionally meets on Wednesday mornings between September and April when restrictions allow.

We paint alone, and were generally in the studio alone, so to have the group as an outlet for us to get together is very good for us as it allows us to connect with other artists. For the last two years, weve been painting by ourselves and weve felt that loss of community and losing that connectivity has been difficult for a lot of us.

… when you buy a painting from one of our artists, it means so much to the artist.

Braun, a freelance graphic designer, said another benefit of having an end-of-season show is that it gives members motivation and drive to paint and an end goal.

It feels great to be back, Braun said. Weve stopped and started, and just got back together in March.

And she hopes community members will take the time to stop by the upcoming show and sale and show their support for local artists, many of whom live in the St. Vital area.

Its the chance for people to come out and interact with local artists in the community. Art is readily available in big box stores, but when you buy a painting from one of our artists, it means so much to the artist, Braun said.

Braun said the club started in 1998 and was initially tailored to artists who predominantly work with watercolours, but now it welcomes members who work in any number of mediums.

For the latest information about mask and vaccination card requirements at the church, prospective visitors are asked to contact organizers shortly before the show and sale.

Go online at [email protected] for more information.