Skilled artists from the Cochrane Art Club (CAC) are excited to showcase their most recent creations at their annual May Show and Sale, taking place at the Cochrane Ranchehouse this weekend.
Entry for the event will be free with doors opening at 10 a.m. and the showcase running until 4 p.m. In addition to the physical show and sale, there will also be a virtual sale and a door prize of an original artwork piece by the CAC president called “Fresh as a Daisy.”
The Cochrane Historical and Archival Preservation Society will also be present to select the best piece related to Cochrane’s history, and the show will also feature a People’s Choice Award, through which guests can fill out a ballot for their favourite piece in the show.
President of CAC, Judy Kalas, said the club is a place where like-minded artist can connect and make friends with other art enthusiasts in the community. The club’s members meet every Tuesday night from September through May, once a week at St. Andrew’s United Church. The club also meets at Beaupre Hall once a month for a three-day Saturday to Monday paint-out where they spend time painting over the weekend.
“We have lots of time to paint, change stories, and get ideas from each other,” Kalas said. “I find the gals and guys [feedback is] really great when you get into trouble painting. There’re extra eyes to look and make suggestions.”
The CAC hosts two shows a year, with their other show taking plae in November. Kalas said the show in May is their biggest event, however, featuring the membership’s finest works.
“We have larger pieces and usually more pieces for sale,” Kalas said, “It’s been held at the Ranchehouse for at least five years, ever since I’ve been a member, and we rent both rooms so we have two beautiful [and] large rooms for enjoyment and full of art.”
As one of the oldest art clubs in the community, Kalas said the club has been around for well over 60 years, and they are quickly approaching their 65th anniversary.
From seasoned artists to blossoming prospects, she said their club is quite the mix of different demographics and that is reflected in the show.
“We don’t have individual booths,” Kalas said. “Everybody’s art is all mixed together so that way it helps elevate the artists that are maybe not as high caliber artists yet.
“We try to emulate the way it would be hung in a gallery, so we hang pieces that are more colour coordinated with the piece beside it, so that your eye flows through the show.”
With the show and sale quickly approaching, Kalas said she looks forward to seeing local art lovers in Cochrane visit their showcase.
For more information on CAC and the May Art Show and Sale, please visit Cochraneartclub.com.
