The Okotoks Art Gallery is going all in for an examination of the power of seven.
Both exhibitions open tonight (Friday) are geared to honouring the art and influence of the Group of Seven, Canada’s revered assemblage of landscape painters active in the 1920s.
The large gallery at The Station will host “Alberta and the Group of Seven: Teachers, Students & Colleagues” with original works from group members as well as some of their Alberta based contemporaries. Alternatively, the “Connecting to the Seven” show in the small gallery spotlights original art from Okotoks Art Gallery members done in the styles of the esteemed Group of Seven.
Allan Boss, Okotoks’ cultural and historical services team leader, said the seven have a legacy in this province exemplified by the large gallery show. It features paintings from five members of the group including Arthur Lismer, J.E.H MacDonald, A.Y. Jackson, Lawren Harris and Frank Johnston.
“These members who were mostly from the east came west often times because they were interested in our topography and the landscape,” Boss explained. “They were really intrigued by the Rocky Mountains so a lot of them came out here. While they were here of course they ended up meeting with Alberta artists.”
Some of these Alberta painters became friends, mentors and pupils to members of the seven. Their work is featured in the gallery show as well including paintings from Illingworth Kerr, Helen Stadelbauer and Annora Brown.
One of the artists representing the Okotoks arts scene for the “Connecting to the Seven” exhibit is Shirley Paradis. She said she and other local artists received some schooling on the styles of the iconic artists to help them mimic their styles.
“We took a course with a wonderful instructor (Debra Ward) who taught us to paint like the group of seven,” she said. “My painting got kicked in the corner and stayed there and I did a stained glass with a steel tree instead.”
Paradis felt her original painting was not up to her standards. She attributed her lack of success due to the fact she was working in a medium she was unfamiliar with, acrylics. By reverting to her signature metal and glass technique Paradis said she was able to come up with a piece worth showing.
“It’s a fired copper tree in stained glass,” she said. “It’s an A.Y Jackson, Tom Thompson scene.”
Although not recognized as an official member of the seven, Thompson was an artist with close ties to the group. Paradis explained both Jackson and Thompson drew a linear landscape which she included in her piece along with what she called a “typical group of seven tree.”
Paradis’ work, which took about a month to complete, will be unveiled along with all the new gallery pieces Friday in conjunction with a gala fundraising reception titled Western Chic.
Due to the historically important nature of the paintings in the Alberta and the Group of Seven show no food will be allowed in the Okotoks Art Gallery at the Station Cultural Centre while the works are on display.
The strict guidelines presented a challenge for the organizers of the reception.
“We were thinking about what we could do,” Boss said. “The conversation went around and we decided to do something on the front lawn. It’s a beautiful summer night, Stampede time and this exhibit is all about the west.”
Boss explained he finds the title “Western Chic” appropriate since it conjures notions of cowboys who can get dirty out in a field then quickly turn around and clean themselves up for a special occasional.
Western Chic will not only feature some upscale vittles in its tented outdoor venue but some cowboy poetry, live guitar music and a silent auction as well. The event will be Friday night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and tickets are $25 each and available in advance or at the door. Call 403-938-3204 or go on-line at www.okotoksculture.ca for more information.
