Excitement is building for the annual Encore Art Sale - slated to run April 11-12 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.
Organizers say it’s going to be an amazing two days of fibre, stained glass, wood, metals, paintings, ceramics, photography, music and more at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.
On April 11, doors open at 1 p.m. followed by a featured artist talk with Vicki Sullivan from 2 to 2:30 p.m. A wine and cheese (cash bar) runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and the day wraps up at 8 p.m.
Doors open at 11 a.m. on April 12, with the featured artist talk again slated for 2 to 2:30 p.m. The cash bar will be available from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by the Art Endowment Award and Student Art Award presentations beginning at 4 p.m.
The sale then comes to a close at 5 p.m.
"As always, we'll have live music, great appetizers, brews and wines," noted the website. "It's a great two days for the entire family, and thanks to Parallax Energy's partnership with us, admission is by donation to support the Lacombe Arts Endowment Fund."
Maureen MacKenzie, the city's arts and culture/cemetery coordinator, said student art will be hung on March 26 in the LMC foyer.
"There are the five different awards for that. There is also the People's Choice Award, and people can vote online for that as well," she explained. "Their works are put up two weeks before the sale, which give lots of time for people to come and see their work - those kids are so talented."
Students from both the local junior and senior high schools will be featured.
"I'm hoping to have 30 to 40 kids enter. And they are all from the Wolf Creek School Division."
The student awards include a $250 and a $100 award in each category.
Awards include the Jan Holoboff Jr. High School Art Award, the Charlie Donald Memorial High School Art Award, the Bob Creuer Memorial Mixed Media/Abstract Art Award, the Dustin Peers Memorial Drawing Award, and the aforementioned People’s Choice Award.
As for the actual art sale itself, MacKenzie said it promises to be the favourite event that it's always been for the past several decades.
"This year's featured artist, Vicki Sullivan, is a phenomenal needle-felter. Her work in wool is absolutely mind-boggling. It will be very interesting to see what she has for the show," said MacKenzie.
"Some of her work is on display right now in the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery.
MacKenzie said that the sale, which is sponsored by Parallax energy, Sunny 94 and the City of Lacombe, is the first art sale of the year.
"The facility is gorgeous, and we treat our artists really well. They are special people, and they need to be recognized and valued. It's important for us to carry this on.
"I love the creativity that is expressed. It's astonishing to see the different media, styles, and all those kinds of things that we see there," she said. "This year, we are also over-subscribed. We've had more applicants this year than we have ever had in the past," she said, adding organizers can comfortably include about 35 artists each year.
"I also love seeing the returning artists. And the new artists - getting to know them and helping to promote their work."
As to what the sale ultimately supports, the Lacombe Arts Endowment Fund is credited with helping to build and support a vibrant and sustainable artistic community within Lacombe and Lacombe County, noted the city's website.
"It provides a steady, ongoing source of grant funding that ensures literary, visual and performing artists and students can continue to follow their dreams and further their education in the arts while our artistic community continues to grow and prosper."
