Members Exhibition at Rails End Gallery

Rails End Gallery debuted its member’s exhibition on Saturday January 23rd. Members could submit two pieces of their interpretation of the theme Home Sweet Home. Tiffany Howe, a freelancer in exhibition installation said that “the theme is really open; some pieces are much more literal than others.” As it was a salon exhibition any member can enter so it meant for Tiffany who was hanging the pieces it was a different challenge to display one member’s work in a regular
gallery. She explains that “nothing is really consistent so it becomes a work of art in itself; you have to take into consideration things like colour, balance and the height of the pieces.” There were multiple mediums used at the show covering a range of artistic skills from photography, canvas, paintings, drawings, sculptures, still life etc. Last year the members show was based on
the theme of ‘rural routes’ with over 50 items entered. Tiffany adds that “the show really pulls the public in and adds to the community spirit of Haliburton.” All of the items were on sale and depicted an array of differing ideas. One piece by Wendy Bateman featured a spinners wheel next to a basket of wool, another piece entitled ‘Love and Care’ by Sandy Slote featured a wealth of different materials, from wallpaper, to family Polaroid photographs all pieced together on top of
a wooden height stick recording child’s ages. Although there were lots of different mediums and each represented the theme differently there were recurring ideas such as dwellings, animals and nature. Laurie Jones, executive director at Rails End, chose the theme of Home Sweet Home after she originally wanted to name the show KOM after our postal code. However after learning that Wilberforce, was not a KOM address she says she “began doodling around and somehow KOM
become home and from there it was word association. With a members show like this I wanted to challenge the imaginations of the artists, provide a hook for the audience to follow the works as a whole and to bring some love and light into our long winter season.” There were three prizes in total best overall artist, most
popular artist and best student artist. Jackie Wells won the best overall artist award with her piece entitled Merv’s Truck. The jurors noted that “the scene depicted in Merv’s Truck was just sweet enough and that it looked like a happy home for the barnyard animals depicted.” Her medium was acrylic on board. The selection criteria for the best overall artist was artistic composition, presentation, skillful use of materials and interpretation of the theme. Jackie’s prize was a solo exhibition in the Lower Gallery and she chose July 2011 as the month. Beth Turner aged 12 won the best student artist award. Laurie noted that “her pencil crayon drawing titled Tender Moments spoke well to the theme and showed great talent for one of such ‘tender years.’ Beth won $75, which we hope she will use to
purchase art supplies.” The exhibition will run until February 20th