Hundreds of riders will be biking through the foothills later this month for the annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer and a Calgary artist used the event as inspiration for a compelling exhibit opening in Turner Valley.
Calgary artist Liz Sullivan’s Ride for Life series of paintings will be on display at Sheep River Library in Turner Valley from June 17 through August 17.
She and her husband, Richard Smith, took part in the ride last year and will be on their bikes again when the ride returns to southern Alberta June 25-26.
Sullivan’s paintings encapsulate the spirit, pageantry and idyllic setting of the event. The artist explained many of the works in the Ride for Life series were painted from photos and sketches created during training runs in the foothills prior to last year’s ride.
“My husband took some pictures on the days of the ride,” she said. “I must acknowledge his photos have been a great help. I actually didn’t do a lot of sketching when I was involved in the cycling because I was very focused on the ride and making my way through it. Subsequent to that we went back and drove through the area and I did some more sketching.”
Sullivan said she and Smith were a reluctant part of a band of riders in 2010, but their fears quickly subsided and they wasted no time signing up for a return visit.
“My husband and I were a part of team called The Old Spokes,” she explained. “We were a little apprehensive initially about riding that kind of distance. But we just loved it. As soon as we completed the ride we signed up again for next year.
For the 2011 ride The Old Spokes are made up almost entirely by cyclists over 50 and all of them have their personal reasons for completing the almost 130-mile circuit.
“Last year it was particularly meaningful for my husband because he actually lost his first wife to cancer over 10 years ago,” Sullivan recalled. “But of course almost every family has been affected by cancer in some way.”
By the time Sullivan’s Ride for Life series debuts at the Sheep River Library it should be 20 paintings strong. Having the works in the facility is appropriate since Turner Valley is one of the stops on the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. The community will host the cyclists for lunch on Sunday, June 26.
Diane Osberg, chair of the Sheep River Library board, said the timing of Sullivan’s exhibition couldn’t be better.
“Were thrilled to have these works at the time the ride comes through with its objectives to raise awareness for cancer research,” she said. “Having the show is our way of helping the cause.”
Osberg said the exhibition of Sullivan’s paintings is part of an ongoing initiative to give area artists an enticing new place to present their work.
“We have gallery space for artists and we have an open door for artists to come exhibit their work in our library,” she said. “We take a very tiny commission if they happen to make a sale. If they don’t then we’re just pleased to have the work of local artists in our library.”
The opening reception for the Ride for Life series at Sheep River Library is Saturday, June 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Prints of some of the paintings are available at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond. Sullivan said several of the originals would likely also be available at Bluerock once they finish their time at the library.
To see Sullivan’s paintings including the ones included in the Ride for Life series visit her website at www.lizsullivanart.com
