As spring matures into the beauty of summer, the South Delta Artists Guild is moving into a wider and more ambitious range of activities built on its work since the beginning of the year.
Local students' art was shown as usual in January and monthly shows with challenging themes continue to bring new and upcoming artists together with those well established to share space in Gallery 1710.
Ongoing workshops and regular drop-in programs provide instruction, practice and encouragement, and one of those seeing results is guild member Leah Terpsma, who worked on her galloping horse painting at Friday morning dropin sessions.
Terpsma, who is also attending Emily Carr University of Art and Design, has her painting hanging in the lobby of Gallery 1710 as part of the current Atmosphere show that runs until June 1. Next up for the guild is Art for Animals, which will run from June 5 to 29. Formerly known as Cause for Paws Feathers and Fur, the expanded show continues to be a fundraiser for OWL and the Delta Community Animal Shelter, and includes paintings donated for sale by guild members in addition to those hanging as usual in Gallery 1710.
The exhibition will include a special Family Day on Saturday, June 7 from noon to 3 p.m. On Family Day, sponsored by Vancity Tsawwassen, there will be a free art competition (with prizes) for children and adults, music by The Rusty Hinges, hot dogs and refreshments, and photo ops with owls and pets in the Vancity tent.
The guild's most ambitious event of the year is its annual Oil and Water juried international competition, for which entries are now being accepted. This began in 2004 and in 2013, in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Artists, became a juried competition drawing more than 350 entries. Closing date for entries is June 27 and then jurors Teressa Bernard, Mike Svob and Gerry Thompson will begin examining every entry to decide acceptance and award winners. Top prize is $1,000 out of a total prize base of about $3,000.
Awards presentation and reception will be on July 31, and paintings will hang in Gallery 1710 from July 31 to Aug. 23.
For more information on all guild activities, visit www.southdeltaartistsguild.com.
