Edmonton’s Scott Gallery celebrates 25 years of Canadian art
By Vickie Laliotis
EDMONTON — A gallery in the heart of west Edmonton’s art district is using its 25th anniversary to share the love with Canadian artists.
Marianne Scott, owner of Edmonton's Scott Gallery, celebrates Canadian art with a diverse exhibit of 39 artists from all over Canada. The gallery's 25th anniversary exhibit runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 23, 2011 and features a variety of styles and media. Photo by Vickie Laliotis.
Scott Gallery, located on 10400 124 St., is marking its quarter-century legacy of promoting national art with a multimedia show taking place this month.
“The exhibit is meant to celebrate the career of all our artists, from those who have been with the gallery since the beginning to others who have just joined us,” said assistant director Catrinel Popescu.
A collection of works from artists such as Mitchell Fenton, Joel Sinclair and Richard Tosczak will be featured, along with the work of 36 other Canadian artists.
Ceramics, sculpture and paintings will be showcased, exhibiting the diversity and range of Canadian talent.
“Canada has a lot of really strong, impressive artists, so I think it’s important to centre on them because they’re doing great things within the art world,” Popescu said.
“We as a country really need to honour and celebrate that.”
One example is Vancouver painter Leslie Poole, who is one of Canada’s most exhibited artists. His paintings span the spectrum from realism to expressionism, and have been featured in more than 100 solo shows across Canada and the United States.
Robert Sinclair is another example. He has worked with Scott Gallery since its inception, and has had his paintings widely exhibited across North America.
Both artists will show their work at the anniversary exhibit.
“I think that supporting Canadian artists shows that we believe in not only them, but in their capability and capacity for greatness,” Popescu said.
But Canadian artists do not always get enough recognition, driving them to move abroad to artistic hubs where their work is better appreciated, Popescu said.
“That lack of appreciation is what makes artists seek support elsewhere, and that’s when we start to lose them,” she said. “The moment we show them that we appreciate and support them, we develop the impetus to keep them here in our country.”
Scott Gallery owner Marianne Scott said that Edmonton’s art scene has thrived over the 16 years that she’s been with the gallery. That’s good news for someone who has made fostering local talent her life’s work.
“There is a richness to original art and we certainly have some wonderful talent here in Edmonton,” she said.
The 25th anniversary show is a testament to this, and has been well received since its opening on Nov. 26.
“To have so many works created specifically for this show, and to have them all up at the same time, makes for a very special exhibit,” Scott said.
“Looking around, you can’t help but think that 25 years is quite an achievement.”
The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will run until Dec. 23. Scott Gallery is a member of Edmonton’s Gallery Walk Association.
