Annual juried art show returns to Picton

Crowds admire paintings during the Art in the County show and sale. This year the show will be held from June 27 until July 13. Photo from artinthecounty.com

By Matthew P. Barker

BELLEVILLE – Local artists will get a chance to have their work judged by their peers at an art show in Picton later this month.

The 21st annual Art in the County juried show and sale kicks off June 27 with over 80 artists submitting more than 90 pieces of art.

Show juror Peer Christensen of Peterborough said it is challenging passing judgment on his fellow artists.

“It is so hard to put into so few words,” he said.

In his judging, he asks himself things like: Does the artist have command over the medium in which he or she is working? Is the artist mid-career or emerging? “It can be difficult in that context,” Christensen said.

Terry Culbert, chairperson of the show, said it is a massive task putting it together.

“A hell of a job” he said.

When the show started in 1993, only two-dimensional pieces, usually oils and watercolours, were eligible for submission. Since then, the show has incorporated a wide variety of media: not only oils and watercolours, but also glass, fabric art, fibre and ceramic, to name a few.

Christensen and two other Canadian art professionals who serve as jurors of the show and sale are responsible for the selection of the artwork.

Awards are given out on the first night of the exhibit, and although the pieces are for sale, the artwork is not available for pickup until the show closes its doors on the last day.

The show runs from June 27 to July 13 in downtown Picton, in the Lipson Room above the Books and Company store. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

The art show was moved to its current location in 2012 when the town hall of Picton could no longer house its growing size.

The show is only open to artists who are a part of the Prince Edward County Arts Council. The entry cost is $30 per piece or $45 for two. The artist has to own property or reside in the Prince Edward County area. The sale is open to anyone who wishes to purchase the art pieces.

Last year 27 pieces of art sold for $14,000 and more than 2,200 people attended over the three weeks.

More than 100 artists submitted more than 190 pieces of work last year. Fewer than half were selected by the jury for the show and sale.

A small percentage from each piece sold is collected to help the running of the art show as well as to fund other projects, including the Jazz in the County festival and Click, a photography show and sale.

For more information about the show: artinthecounty.com.