Mann Art Gallery Winter Festival

Walk In The Meadow

30 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2015
available

Well, who knew what would transpire when I went to reception of the 40th annual Mann Art Gallery Winter Festival Juried Art Show and Sale on Friday evening? Not me! In the past I have heard that people who were going to receive an award were given a phone call in the days leading up to the reception. They were never told what they might have won, but it was strongly suggested that they should attend the reception. I have participated in the show two other times and have never received a call, and this year was no different. In other years I have known other artists who have gotten "the call", so it wasn't a myth. It is always fun to see the work and to support friends, but this year, I have to admit, I was not in the right head space to attend. I almost bailed until my husband pointed out that sometimes you have to do things you aren't really feeling up to and that doing so shows character which is what we want to demonstrate to our kids. Zing!!! That hit the right nerve, so I fired up the shower at 3:00 p.m. and pulled myself together.

I drove up with two of my studio colleagues and once we got to Prince Albert I began to feel happy I was there. There was some amazing art of all kinds: paintings, drawings, photography, woodwork, textiles, jewelry, sculptures, pottery and needlework. I saw many artsy friends and had a few great visits with the guest adjudicator and curator of the show... Darrell Bell! 

The evening marched along and suddenly it was time for the program. I was curious who won the awards, nobody I knew had received "the call". A few awards in, next up was The Kyla Memorial Award which went to my friend, Greg Hargarten. He looked totally stunned to have won it. I didn't expect someone I knew to win, so my camera wasn't out and ready. Congratulations to him! The program continued and then the Art Placement Media Award for accomplishment in the medium of oil was presented... to me... for "Walk In The Meadow"! What?! I went up to the front in a bit of shock. I may or may not have tripped and staggered in my heels (which were killing me) as I made my way to the front and back. I may or may not have smiled at the camera when they took the picture of me shaking the presenter's hand. I may or may not have said thank you, but I am pretty sure I did... possibly more than necessary.

So there you go. They didn't make phone calls this year! As well, Darrell explained to me that he curated the show differently than other years- he made sure that everyone who submitted something had at least one piece of artwork displayed in a good location. He used the secondary gallery space almost entirely for the work of the photographers and it was stunning. The third space was, again, a mix of work. The entire show looked really good and I wish I took more photos.

Spring On The Prairies
12 x 12"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2015

Both of my pieces happened to be in the main gallery which you can see below...

Another great surprise was that one of the colleagues I drove up with ended up winning the Second Place Award for the whole show! Congratulations to Carol Wylie for this recognition of her portrait "Linda".

It was a good night.