Merritt is home to some of the most renowned artists in Canada, and locals are going to get a chance to see their work for free this month.
The fourth annual Community Arts Show is starting this weekend at the Courthouse Gallery at the Old Courthouse Arts Centre on Nicola Avenue. As well as a variety of local works being displayed, four paintings by well-known artists will be on display and auctioned off for a fraction of their original asking price.
An original painting by Arnold Mosely, which would sell for upwards of $6,000, is starting at auction for $1,200, said Dalquist-Gray. There is also an original painting by Roger Kamp, a numbered wildlife print by Opie and a framed print by Thelma Leaney Butler.
“There are a lot of internationally-noted artists that have moved to Merritt,” said curator Kathi Dalquist-Gray. “When they’ve gone into retirement to do nothing but paint, they come up here to go fishing, and they’ve bought land up here, so they’ve retired here.”
Arnold Mosely, according to Dalquist-Gray, is one of the best known Western artists in North America today.
“He’s in the same boat as (American painters) Frank McCarthy and Hulan Fleming, which is incredible” she said. “And Roger Kamp hasn’t been painting for as long as Arnold but people are starting to notice Roger now. His artwork is a really safe investment.”
Artwork by amateur artists in the community, of all ages, will be also displayed throughout this month.
Work in the past has included paintings, drawings, photography, woodworking, carving, needlework, quilts, jewelry, pottery and small scale modelling. The theme for this year’s show is the Olympics.
There will be prizes of $50 in a juried section of Olympic-themed art as well as $50 for the viewer’s choice category.
There is no cost to drop in to see artwork at the gallery and everyone is welcome.
The Courthouse Gallery community art show runs Feb. 5 to Feb. 27, with a silent auction and reception on Feb. 20. Gallery hours are Thursdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
