The region’s landscape will be brightened by the creations of nine area artists in a fundraising art show this weekend.
Painters from across the Foothills are submitting their creations in the Brushed with Flair and Art With Heart art sales to raise money for the Foothills Country Hospice Society April 6 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the DeWinton Community Hall.
Featured artists include Marg Smith, Susan Torris, Tina Winistok, Debra Green, Deborah Whitton, Annie Froese, Carol-Ann Beswick, Ann Beswick and Rani Crawford.
“We have a very diverse selection with watercolour with pen and ink, acrylic, oil, mixed media, abstract, landscapes, wildlife and life scenes,” said co-founder Marg Smith.
“We pick them because of their high quality art and because we wanted to be able to give the guests a wide range of styles to choose from.”
The limited 150 guests will be treated to wine, hors d’oeuvres and live classical music performed by Turner Valley musician Stanley Winistok. There will also be raffles and an auction for two pieces painted by local artists on site.
Tickets to attend Art With Heart sold out last year, raising more than $6,000, and Smith expects a similar result this year.
“We take great care in choosing our artists because we not only want high quality, we want a variety of art to appeal to everybody,” she said. “We always invite the previous ones back, but if they can’t make it we bring new artists in. It’s good to have a few different artists. It just keeps the show fresh.”
The hospice is a special place for Smith, a resident therapy artist who paints for and with patients and their families Monday afternoons.
“The place is so phenomenal that I just wanted to help make a difference in their world by helping them raise money because the Alberta government only pays about two thirds of the cost of what they need,” she said. “The rest has to be raised. I thought this would be a fantastic way because art is a form of beauty, so we can provide a donation to the beautiful service that they provide to the community.”
Smith has more than 30 paintings of animals, people and landscapes she will submit to the sale. Thirty per cent of all sales go to the hospice.
Foothills artist Annie Froese, owner of Art and Soul Studio in High River, has about 10 pieces she’s entering in the fundraising art sale. She said this year, the event’s fourth, will be her first time in the show.
When she was invited by Smith to be showcased, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I was enthusiastic about it because my dad passed away four years ago in a hospice after my mom passed away in a hospital oncology ward and the difference was amazing,” she said. “It’s an incredible offering to the public.”
To brighten things up, Froese has a selection of floral watercolours and acrylics she will enter in the spirit of spring and upcoming Mother’s Day.
Selling her art in the show is a great opportunity for exposure, said Froese, who is unable to attend due to another commitment.
“I hope that people are able to come out and support the cause,” she said. “It’s nice to have an event tied in with the fundraiser.”
Tickets to attend Art With Heart cost $30 and are available at www.eventbrite.com, the Western Wheel or any of the artists.
