DESIRÉE DECOSTE

STAFF WRITER

Presented by the Prince Edward County Arts Council and sponsored by Welch LLP, the 28th edition of Art in the County (AITC) is being held virtually for the second year in a row.

Given the current rise in COVID-19 case numbers and other uncertainties related to the pandemic, the AITC organizing committee made the decision to move the annual juried exhibition and sale online for 2021. The organizing committee had been planning an in-person show at The Armoury in June 2021 that would have been curated by Christophe Doussot and Vincent Depoivre.

“The health and safety of our volunteers, artists and patrons remain our top priority,” said Janna Smith, PR Coordinator of the AITC and Executive Director of PEC Arts Council, in a statement. “We hope art lovers and collectors will support the show and our local artists once again by visiting us online.”

The AITC online sale will open on June 18 and run until July 4. Visitors will be able to view digital images of this year’s artworks on the AITC website and all works will be for sale. The PEC Arts Council will process sales and pay transaction fees on behalf of artists who are responsible for shipping or delivering their artwork to buyers. Online shows have the potential to reach a wider audience. Last year work sold to buyers living in Toronto, Hamilton, Owen Sound, Kingston, and beyond.

Artist entry deadline for submitting registration form, image(s) and payment is June 4 at 12 p.m.

AITC is recognized as the premier art exhibition in Eastern Ontario. Since its inception in 1993, the show has hosted over 60,000 visitors, showcased more than 2,300 works of art by Prince Edward County artists, and has sold over $350,000 worth of art to collectors, buyers and art lovers alike.

Artworks in a wide range of media are showcased, including watercolour, acrylic, oil and encaustic paintings, sculpture, fibre, wood, photography, ceramics, glass and more. This signature event of the summer season generates economic benefits for County businesses as well.

This year’s show is dedicated to Wayne McNulty and Don Pinder, two remarkable, creative, generous, and dedicated people who were very committed to the arts in PEC.

In the early 2000’s, McNulty and Pinder were central in leading the reorganization of the PEC Arts Council and providing it with a foundation of growth and professionalism. They were longtime Wellington residents and moved to Ottawa in December, 2020, where sadly McNulty passed away in January 2021. Pinder, whose health is not good, remains there surrounded by his supportive family.

Sponsored by Laurie Gruer & Monica Klingenberg of Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited Brokerage, the Community Arts Builder Award returns in 2021. With nominees chosen by County residents, the Community Arts Builder Award recognizes an individual who has enriched community life through the arts. Past recipients include Hri Neil, Carbon Art & Design (2020); Krista Dalby, Department of Illumination (2019); and Alice & Peter Mennacher, Blizzmax Gallery (2018). All 2021 nominations must be received by June 4. The Award, which includes a $250 monetary gift, will be announced on June 17.

Show organizers are thrilled to announce the three Canadian art professionals who will serve as jurors for this years show and sale: JT Winik, Visual Artist (Kingston), Olexander Wlasenko, Curator, Station Gallery (Whitby), and Alice Vander Vennen, Mixed Media & Textile Artist (Cobourg). Jurors will work together remotely again this year.

Similar to last year, winners of the five Jurors’ Choice Awards, five Honourable Mentions, and the Community Art Builder Award will be announced in social media and posted on Art in the County’s website.

Jurors’ Choice Awards ($250 each) and Honourable Mentions ($100 each) are supported by local businesses, including Arts on Main Gallery, County Dental Care, Family Dentistry@Picton, Gilbert & Lighthall Marketplace, jeffreyscott, Picton Home Hardware, Printcraft, StayPEC, and The Local Store.

AITC is grateful for the continued support of Elizabeth Crombie Real Estate Team, Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty Brokerage, Sage Design & Construction, and welcomes Pretsell Davies Thompson Benton LLP and StayPEC as new Supporting Sponsors. With the support of our wonderful sponsors, the organizing committee is looking forward to showcasing and celebrating the extraordinary talent of local artists in this 28th edition of the show.

For more information about AITC please visit: https://artinthecounty.com/ call the PEC Arts Council at (613) 476-8767 or e-mail: artinthecounty@countyarts.ca.

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