Wheatland Society of Arts hosts show and sale gala

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Wheatland Society of Arts hosted a gallery-style art show and sale Gala, which ran Nov. 15-17 at their Strathmore studio.

“We had a really small show a while ago that was more like a market, like you could have a little table and have your stuff there … we have never had a gallery style show and sale before,” said Brandy Hebbes, treasurer and programming committee chair for the Wheatland Society of Arts.

Each of the approximately 22 artists who displayed and made their work available for purchase during the show and sale are members of the Wheatland Society of Arts.

Hebbes explained they are mostly people who take and/or instruct classes at the studio. Works on display included pottery, acrylic, alcohol ink, and watercolour, among several others. 

“It was a requirement to be a member to be in here, but that was because we did not want people from all these big cities … going to enter in,” explained Hebbes. “We just do not have the capacity for that. It was members only and our volunteers … all our people who were going to show here and we would like to showcase the hard work of all those people.”

She added she hoped that by displaying as part of the show and sale gala, many of the artists would grow in confidence of their work and return to display again. 

“I think right now, everybody is so exhausted … once we have had the year to get through and get some new artists and the ones who maybe did not attend the show think they would like to do a show, for me, that would make it worth doing again,” said Hebbe. “The space was a challenge. We have a great space, but I think we have already outgrown it, especially for a show. But the whole idea was to bring people to our space, so to have it at another place like the Civic Centre or something like that did not really appeal to us.”

At the recommendation of Nancy-Lynne Hughes, who Hebbes explained was of great assistance in setting up the show and sale gala, all of the pieces which were on display were up for sale by the artists. 

A portion of prices were commissioned out to the Wheatland Society of Arts, and the majority of the proceeds went back to the showcasing artists. 

For those who may be curious about the studio, classes about a large variety of mediums are regularly hosted. Information regarding classes is made available in person and online through the Wheatland Society of Arts.