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Annual SPAC show nears six decades

Show and sale will feature Victoria area artists of all media, including renowned artist Norman Yates
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Landspace by Norman Yates. Yates is the guest artist featured in the 59th annual Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society’s show.

A selection of work from the 240 members of the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society will fill a gallery at Mary Winspear Centre this weekend. Plus there’s the gift shop.

“We’re all artists of one type or another,” said Donna Jean. The painter is in her fourth year as convenor for the SPAC annual art exhibition and sale. “We have a show once a year, this is the 59th year and it’s all volunteer driven … We’ve got a huge variety of artists from internationally known artists to beginner artists.”

A total of 128 SPAC artists will vie for Juror’s Choice awards judged by Carolyn Hoag and Sylvia Bews-Wright (paintings); Paula Landsman (sculpture); Mavis Mooney (pottery); and Vijaya Taylor (crafts).

Jean will be among those artists whose works are on display.

“I’m going to have four peices in the main gallery,” she said. “We also have a gift shop ... if someone purchases something from the main gallery, they’re not allowed to take it until the closing of the show. The gift shop is cash and carry. People like to have a souvenir so that’s where they go.”

As well, see three works by a celebrated Canadian guest artist.

“This year we’ve got probably the best known we’ve ever had,” Jean said.

Norman Yates has garnered several major Canadian awards and has work in public and private collections including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canada Council Art Bank and the Alberta Foundation of the Arts.

“He’s a fabulous artist,” Jean said. “He’s done great things, we’re very proud to have him.”

The abstract artist will show three one-by-two metre works, and be on hand to meet the public.

He’s already had an influence on Jean, who’s been painting about five years.

“I started out pretty traditional style, representational and I’m moving more to impressionistic and abstract. I just enjoy it more, you can get so many things happening that you weren’t expecting,” she said. “I am going to try his method, I was quite inspired by seeing his work.”

The art show and sale will be held April 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 29 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Mary Winspear Centre.

 

Admission is $4 for adults. Visit www.spacsociety.com for details.