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The Grande Prairie Art Gallery is heading into a busy holiday season with a host of new exhibits, as well as entering the final weeks of its career showcasing the works of famous artists Pablo Picasso and Marc Chegall.
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“The gallery right now is an incredibly thoughtful, responsive, fun and engaging place to be,” said Jeff Erbach, executive director of the Grande Prairie Art Gallery.
The “Passion Projects” exhibit, which contains pieces of art by Picasso and Chegall examining their passions, has been on display since September and will end its gallery tour on January 6.
There are 41 exhibits by Picasso detailing his love of bullfighting and 20 images showing Chegall’s love for the Old Testament.
“He’s not here much longer, so attendance is increasing,” Erbach said, “we know there are a lot of people in our community who intend to come and see this incredible exhibition of works by Picasso and Chagall, and the time it ends out. “
Erbach also believes that the works on display at Marc Chegall’s Passion for the Bible Gallery could represent an excellent opportunity for those looking to do something spiritual for Christmas.
“It’s a really interesting way if you have family, friends or visitors on vacation, to do something related to the time period, and something that is still really spiritual and interesting,” Erbach said.
Another exhibit that started running at the gallery last week is the “Bleeding Borders” exhibit.
“Bleeding Borders” is by Pakistani artist Amin Rehman, who currently lives in Toronto. This exhibition is a reaction to his travels through the border areas between Iran, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.
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Erbach says the exhibit is about people’s lived experience and the human reality behind the headlines in these tumultuous borderlands.
“It’s a really extraordinary, heartfelt and beautiful display,” Erbach said, “and it’s really special for us to have it.”
Erbach says there are several different media pieces in this exhibit that contain photography, collage art, and text.
“Each of the individual pieces is really beautiful, and there are dozens and dozens of them. I could easily spend hours alone at the Bleeding Borders exhibit. “
Finally, the gallery hosts an interactive art exhibit where visitors can make their own contributions to a larger art display on the gallery walls. Participants can make their contributions in person or take home a free art kit and return their work by January 20.
Scratch and Shape is associated with the Passion Projects exhibit, where people can contribute material that illustrates their own passions.
Illuminate and Glow is an exhibit inspired by the Northern Lights, and members of the public are also encouraged to add their work to this exhibit.
The gallery decided to go ahead with these interactive art programs to better utilize the gallery space and create interesting art pieces that include members of the public.
“Especially in these times, rebuilding a sense of connection to this particular place, to our sense of belonging to where we are in the community and doing something that is just fun is a good idea,” Erbach said.
Admission to the gallery is free and is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Reference-www.dailyheraldtribune.com