Results of Art in County promotion are in the can

Art in theCounty 2016 co-chairs Annik Despres and Sue Barclay flank Tara Wilkinson, who brought the idea forward, and Adam Busscher, of Home Hardware, sponsor of the campaign. They are holding cans they created – except Adam, who claims his mother Pat got all the family’s artistic talent and put together the Home Hardware can.

Uniquely designed paint cans are popping up in 53 businesses this week as the Prince Edward Arts Council launches CANvas the County – to put local artists in the spotlight, and promote this month’s Art in the County show.

Candy Can Dancer by David Scott

Presented by the arts council and Picton Home Hardware, CANvas the County promotion brings the arts and business communities together to help kick off the 23rd annual Art in the County – the council’s signature event of the summer.

More than 50 artists applied a coat of imagination and used a wide range of media to design new paint cans donated by Picton Home Hardware (ranked 7th in the nation for paint sales). They will be showcased in local businesses from June 15 to July 10, for visitors to see, learn about the artist, pick up a postcard about the Art in the County show and fill out a ballot for a chance to win one of the unique works of art.

Summer Skies by Susan Wallis

“It was a very interesting exercise for the artists to paint in the round and it helped push boundaries to think of their work in a circular way,” said Tara Wilkinson, who presented the idea after seeing a similar promotion. “It’s very fun. We just wanted to keep it simple and fun. We’re not raising money for anything.”

“We are so proud to support the arts in Prince Edward County,” said Adam Busscher, owner of Picton Home Hardware. “Together our arts and business communities make Prince Edward County a great place to work and visit. CANvas the County brings these communities together to celebrate the incredible artistic talent we have here.”

Around the County by Andrew Csafordi

A complete list of CANvas the County participants and locations can be found at www.artinthecounty.com

The Art in the County juried exhibition and sale runs from Friday, June 24 to Sunday, July 10, upstairs at Books & Company in Picton. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5p.m. Sundays and until 3 p.m. July 10.) Admission $3.

The show features an impressive range of media, including paintings in oil, encaustic, watercolour and acrylic; works in glass, fibre, ceramics, pottery, mixed media, photography, wood, fabric art, sculpture and jewelery.

Art in the County is open only to residents or ratepayers who are members of the arts council.
Jurors this year are Adam Welch, associate curator, Canadian Art, for the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa; Neville Smith, Fellow, Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (Ottawa) and artist Su Sheedy, of Kingston.

CANvas cans were viewed at the launch of the new campaign.