County artist earns award trifecta

Prince Edward County Artist Krista Dalby, left, received three awards at this year’s Art in the County show. Here, she received the Peoples’ Choice and new Childrens’ Choice awards from show co-chair Amy Shubert and sponsor Elizabeth Crombie.

Cardboard Canadensis, by Krista Dalby

Prince Edward County artist Krista Dalby was a triple award winner at the 26th Annual Art in the County Juried Show and Sale.

At the closing of the show July 7, she was presented the coveted Peoples’ Choice Award and the new Children’s Choice Award. At the show’s opening, she received the annual Community Arts Builder Award celebrating an artist who contributes to the community with impact.

Dalby, is well-known in the County as the artistic director of The Department of Illumination which puts together the Firefight Lantern Festival. This year, the group, under Dalby’s guidance, expanded to include a winter event called Ice Box.

Her cardboard sculpture entitled Cardboard Canadensis – a two foot tall beaver – was voted on by visitors to the show to receive the Peoples’ and new Childrens’ choice awards sponsored by Elizabeth Crombie of Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty Brokerage.

Dalby said the piece is an exploration of the medium.

Krista Dalby with her 2016 Jurors Award winning “Al Purdy” the jurors called “A remarkable constructed paper sculpture. Delicate and detailed, it is a testament to the work of a great writer by a very talented and imaginative sculptor.”

“It is the first sculpture in my Canada Series, which has consisted of cardboard portraits of iconic Canadian personalities, including Al Purdy, Leonard Cohen, Margaret Atwood and Joni Mitchell.” Her cardboard portrait of Al Purdy won a Jurors’ Choice Award at the show in 2016 and her portrait of Leonard Cohen won an Honourable Mention in 2017.

“Krista is so dedicated to providing artful experiences for local children and youth,” said Co-Chair Amy Shubert, “It is only fitting that she receive the first Children’s Choice Award.”

Organizers were pleased with attendance at this year’s show in the Picton Armoury’s new multipurpose
space, The Mess Hall, where 107 works by 75 local artists were showcased.

More than 2500 visitors attended
the show over its 17-day run, including 750 people on Canada Day, which was free admission to the public, also sponsored by Crombie.