The Lakes District Museum’s GR8-by-8 Art Project wrapped up recently with an awards ceremony and art auction.
The fundraiser, which saw local artists donate 8”x8” artworks to the museum for a chance to win more than $1,500 in prizes, generated a lot of interest in the community. The museum society sold 74 canvases to local creators and received 55 submissions.
Winner of the adult age group – and the fan favourite award – was an oil painting entitled “Thus Saith the Lord” by local artist Reese Hogan. Hogan’s wins earned her $600 in prize money.
Other winners in the adult division were “Solitude” by Lynda Peebles (second place), “Food for Thought” by Dale Kallhood (third place), and “Turkeys” by Cheryl Dell (Honorable Mention).
The other winning artworks, announced Nov. 20, were as follows:
Children’s Division:
First Prize ($75) – Canvas #23 – “Kindergarten” by Theodore Kaskamin.
Second Prize ($50) – Canvas #37 – “The Pink Dancer” by Alexandra Platt
Third Prize ($25) – Canvas #38 – “Growth from Chaos” by Samantha Platt
Hon. Mention ($10) – Canvas #40 – “Snowflake” by Samantha Platt.
Teen Division:
First Prize ($150) – “Whispers of the Water” by Aliana Petersen
Second Prize ($100) – “New York’s Protest” by Hailey Krause
Third Prize ($75) – “Ship on Fire” by Finn Elliott
Hon. Mention ($25) – “Pumpkin Patch” by Hailey Krause
The art auction held the same night as the awards ceremony raised more than $2,000 for arts and culture programming here.
Museum society officials say they were pleased with the public’s response to the event.
“The GR8-by-8 Art Project exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Michael Riis-Christianson, curator of the Lakes District Museum. “We had far more participants than originally expected and raised more money than we hoped. But this initiative wasn’t really about raising money for arts and culture programming. It was about showcasing this area’s talented artists and giving them a reason to work their creative magic. Judging from the response, it achieved its intended purposes.”
Riis-Christianson said the museum society will put the money to good use.
“We’re already looking at how we can encourage the arts here next year,” he said. “One thing is certain: the GR8-by-8 Art Project will return in one form or another in a few years. Between now and then, there will be more opportunities for local creators to share their passion for art.”
