Local artists display handiwork in new Blackfoot art exhibit
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BLACKFOOT – A new art exhibit that kicked off in Blackfoot over the weekend features work from local artists.
The Bingham Arts Council’s Juried Exhibition got underway Saturday at the Candy Jar Art Gallery. Awards were given to the best works in the show. Both professional and amateur artists participated, taking advantage of the opportunity to get their work in front of an audience.
“Whoever loves making art — they were all welcome to submit their artworks,” said Yidan Guo, who coordinated the event for the Bingham Arts Council. “Especially for people who don’t have much experience, we provide a location to display their work and they can sell their work, as well. So I think it’s a good opportunity for local artists.”
This was the second year the exhibition was held. It included works in a number of different traditional artistic mediums, from sketches to paintings and sculptures, which were judged by Stephanie J. Frostad, an award-winning painter from Missoula, Montana.
“I celebrate the diversity of work in this exhibition,” Frostad said in her juror’s statement. “Such variety demonstrates the vitality of visuals arts in Bingham County. Lively textures, mark making and color appear throughout the show. It is a delight to see the array of imagery, materials and techniques in use.”
Nate Moses took first-place honors for his painting “Passing Shower.”
“The effective use of a simple, harmonious palette in this painting is admirable,” Frostad noted in her statement. “The freshness of the color and brushstrokes echo and amplify the vitality portrayed. Commonplace elements of the landscape combine with the fleeting grandeur of a storm. ‘Passing Shower’ energetically conveys a distinct place and moment.”
Other artists receiving honors included Daniel Borup for his sculpture, “Relics,” along with Jacob Secrest for his charcoal drawing, “Vintage Ballet Dancers.”
While not everyone who entered the exhibition won a prize, all who participated helped raise awareness of the role the arts play in the community. That is a mission Guo hopes this exhibition can help achieve in the future.
“We tried to put out the work and we invited the community to come and attend the exhibition and our opening reception,” she said. “It gives them a chance to meet and talk to the artists and also (provide) them a better understanding of art and how it plays an important role in our daily lives. It helps to educate the local community about art and art events happening in this community.”
“I hope this show will keep going on every year and we will keep doing it better and better and we’ll (hopefully have) more and more artists participate,” Guo added.
You can see all the artwork entered into the Bingham Arts Council Juried Exhibition at the Candy Bar Art Gallery through October 13. For more information about the Bingham County Arts Council and its events, visit the website.
