Local artist to feature at one-day-only Calgary art gallery
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A local Strathmore artist is growing her roots and sprouting up at the Obsidian Art Show, taking place at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Center.
Emmeline Keeling was invited to be among over 50 artists participating at the event, showcasing mediums ranging from mixed media to tattoos.
“My understanding of it is basically, this organization is called the Public Display Agency in Calgary, and they put on all these art shows for trying to get the word out to a bunch of art galleries,” said Keeling. “A bunch of Calgary gallerists are coming out and they have said that they are going to take at least one artist from the show each and they are going to put up their art in their galleries.”
Public Display Agency hosts art galleries across southern Canada, from Montreal to Victoria, with Calgary being the latest stop along the line.
Obsidian is to be featured as a one day only art show, with artists being expected to set up, participate, and take down within hours of the event.
“The Gallery Partner Program is what they call it, and they partnered with Webster Galleries, The New Gallery, and Gallery Underground, and then they will attend in person, connecting directly with artists,” said Keeling.
This will be Keeling’s first time featuring her paintings at an art show taking place outside of Strathmore. Previously, she has displayed with the Wheatland Society of Arts, the Strathmore Municipal Library, and The Vault Cultural Collective.
She added the spokesperson who reached out to invite her to the gallery had explained they discovered her work via Instagram and decided she would be a good fit to feature in the show.
Keeling, along with her fellows, will each be granted six feet by 10 feet spaces to feature their works within the building.
“I am hoping I will fit about 12 to 15 paintings, and then that will range from about 10×10 inches to as big as 30×40 inches,” she added.
Keeling’s “Alberta Weed Girls,” which were inspired by local weeds such as a dandelion, a daisy, and a thistle, will be among her works on display.
“I wanted to focus on weeds because generally people will do paintings of things like roses and flowers and I want to explore the idea of feeling like you are not good enough through painting the weeds,” she explained. “Kind of like the idea that maybe I wish I was the rose but I’m not, I’m just the dandelion, so kind of feeling like I’m not worthy or good enough for people’s appreciation.”
The event itself will be open to the public from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. on April 24. More information about the event, the organization, featured artists, and attendance registration area available online through the Public Display Agency website.