If you are looking for something to do downtown, and would like to engage your creativity, then stop by the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre between now and June 5th and check out the Moose Jaw Art Guild’s latest visual art display.
The current display, “Collection of Creativity,” features 15 local artists and 20 pieces of art. These works range from acrylic paint to weaving and highlight local talent and creative expression.
“The theme of the exhibition, ‘Collection of Creativity,’ was chosen by our membership at a guild business meeting. We designed it to be open-ended to better express our current diversity of interests,” explains Patrick Hall, Vice President of the Moose Jaw Art Guild. “In the past, we have had specific themes such as the ‘Sunflower’ exhibition in support of the Ukrainian people.”
As the theme of the exhibit implies, one of the key features of visual art is to foster creativity.
Creativity can be nurtured through one’s subjective interpretation of a work, finding hidden meanings and symbolism, and can help open your mind to new ways of thinking and seeing the world.
“Visual Art can teach us how to see and observe,” says Hall. “For example, we use linear perspective to portray distance like railway tracks converging in the distance. As well, there is atmospheric perspective that lightens and simplifies objects in the distance. Objects closer to us are warmer, deeper in colour and detail.”
Artistic expression is known to help alleviate depression, anxiety, and stress. This is due to the way one’s creative faculties are engaged, and they can draw on positivity to find creative solutions and self-expression.
“When we look at the visual art of today, it can give us a happy feeling because of the colours and shapes of a lake, a sunset, or an abstract idea. Harmony makes us feel good. On the other hand, we can be jolted. Visual themes can create empathy in us, move us to act to make a better world.”
Everybody can benefit from art, even those who are not well versed in it. By immersing yourself in an art display such as this, one can gain the inspiration needed to express yourself and visual art is an ideal medium for this expression.
“Visual Art is part of the way we communicate. In mankind’s early history there were also magical beliefs associated with painting prey on cave walls,” explains Hall.
Artists are encouraged to communicate through any visual art form that “captures your interest and fires your artistic expression,” as their website states. “Our common bond is an appreciation of art and a desire to express ourselves through the creation of original art.”
The Women's Art Association of Saskatchewan was originally founded in 1928 as a community organization for women. In 1949, ten Moose Jaw women from this group moved to establish the Moose Jaw Fine Art Guild, and it changed its name to the current Moose Jaw Art Guild in 1984. Today the guild is open to anyone who has an interest in and appreciation for art.
The Moose Jaw Art Guild holds exhibitions, art classes, workshops, and is involved in the wider community through painting murals and high school bursaries. “We award a bursary to one grade nine student in every City [of Moose Jaw] high school,” Hall explains.
If any of these works stand out to you and offer personal inspiration, select pieces are available to purchase by contacting the Moose Jaw Art Guild.
If you would like more information or to join the Moose Jaw Art Guild, they can be reached through their website at https://mjartguild.wixsite.com/moosejaw, or by email at mjartguild@hotmail.com. Patrick Hall can be reached at patrick.hall@sasktel.com.
The mission of the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre involves them providing a destination for artists and allowing patrons to enjoy the "greatest possible variety of experiences," according to their website.
For more information on the exhibit, the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre can be reached at 306-693-4700.
Be sure to attend the Artist's Reception taking place on June 10, 2023, at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre located at 217 Main Street North. All members of the public are invited to attend and get to know the artists behind these works.
This exhibit is showing at the Cultural Centre between May 24th and June 5th, 2023. Admission is free and all members of the public are welcome to attend.
