Eleventh Annual Juried Art Show at the Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork

For the eleventh year, the Edge Art gallery presents its juried art show. The exhibit is titled, “Art on the Edge.” The exhibit is one of the most colorful combinations of art and colors the Edge Gallery has ever had for a juried show. When you enter the gallery just standing for a moment at the door will explain this comment. From one end of the gallery to the other there are bright colors from the quilt on the podium up front to the acrylic painting at the back that is too large to hang. “Art on the Edge” is at the Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork from July 2 to 25.  The Artists’ Opening Reception is on Friday, July 3 from 5:00 to 7:00.  The Awards Ceremony starts that evening at 6:15 when juror Patricia Canelake will present the awards.

This year the show will be judged by Patricia Canelake (below), from Knife River, who brings wide experience to the duties of juror.  She has been a working, exhibiting painter and printmaker since 1988. Her duties are to first select the art to be shown at the exhibit and then pick the winners. It is her decision in both areas, which is final. This year there will be a wonderful variety of art displayed that represents a  variety of media and styles making this year’s event such a fascinating exhibit.

There are paintings, quilts, drawings, baskets, blown glass, sculpture, photography, prints and jewelry with the the subject matter including landscapes, wildlife, fantasy, buildings, flowers and non-representational work.  The 28 artists brings their own background and interests to the 34 pieces of art in the show.

The artists represented in the exhibit are Joy Anderson, Robert Biaggio, Sandra Boreen, Pam Burns, Nadya Duitsman, Sara Fredrickson, Susan Gilbert, Ralph Hanggi Jr., Catherine Hanson, Isaiah Hoppe, Audrey Johnson, Tim Lamey, James Lutgen, Tanya Macrostie, John McCoy, Lauren Nelson, Jon Offutt, Cathryn Peters, David Richter, Rhonda Rosko, Jan Stenson, Sandra Thompson, Barbara Williamson, and Leah Yellowbird.

Above Won Award of Excellence - Leah Yellowbird's painting "Wolf Hunt Maa’iingan"

People's Choice - Leah Yellowbird's painting "Wolf Hunt Maa’iingan"

The juror’s, Patricia Canelake, past exhibitions include the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Minnesota Museum of Art, the Tweed Museum, Provincetown Art Association, The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, 30 Bond Gallery (NY), Gayle Elston Gallery NY, The Grand Hand, St, Paul, MN. Lizzards Gallery, Duluth, MN, Waters of Superior, Duluth, MN, Prove Collective, Duluth, MN, Adeline’s, Duluth, MN, and Red Herring Lounge, Duluth, MN.  She has had 7 residencies in China and throughout the United States and has taught media arts, painting, drawing, design, ceramics, watercolors, printmaking, and art history at the college level. That is a wonderful set of credentials which equips her perfectly for this task.

While at the exhibit, you will also have the opportunity to see the Sally Ordway Irvine Award for Arts Access that the Edge Center received on June 22nd. Below are two photos of the award and you can refer to the Edge Center home page for more information about it plus a couple of additional sites. Refer to:  http://the-edge-center.org/index.html

An important part of the event every year is the sponsors.  Kocian’s Family Market is sponsoring the Best of  Show Award. First State Bank of Bigfork and Arvig Communications are the sponsors for the two Awards of Excellence. Bigfork Valley Hospital sponsors the People’s Choice Award. For the audience, the People’s Choice Award is the most fun part of the Opening, which is your opportunity to second-guess the juror.  It often takes some real concentration on all the art to choose the most successful.

Above won: Best of Show- Sara Fredrickson's painting "The Lake"

Above Won Award of Excellence - Jim Lutgen's Red Tailed Hawk

You may vote all day July 2 and July 3 up until 6:00 pm at the Opening Reception. Please join us at the reception and visit the show during its run. . “Art on the Edge” is at the Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork from July 2 to 25.   The Artists’ Opening Reception is on Friday, July 3 from 5:00 to 7:00.  The Awards Ceremony starts that evening at 6:15 when juror Patricia Canelake will present the awards. The Edge Center Gallery is free to the public as is the opening reception.