Loading up 20 paintings in varying sizes will be a breeze for an Okotoks artist as she prepares for the Leighton Art Centre’s Clothesline Festival this weekend.
“It’s easier and less stressful because you don’t need to worry about the frames getting damaged,” said Marg Smith, who’s had her oil paintings in the show the past five years.
Smith is one of 68 Alberta artists who will have frameless paintings and drawings hung on clotheslines in an art show that draws as many as 2,000 people to 80 acres of historic land northeast of Millarville.
Smith’s work portrays cityscapes, landscapes, wildlife and portraits.
“It’s on a clothesline wrapped in plastic, it’s outdoors, so it gives it a whole unique feel and different lighting,” Smith said. “People enjoy wandering around and seeing the whole collection of art rather than having it on a wall in a specific place. The opportunity to buy unframed art allows the collector to frame it to their choice or their personality.”
The Clothesline Festival and Art Sale takes place June 1-2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring live music, artist demonstrations, children’s art activities, face painting, food vendors and more than 1,500 pieces of Alberta made art and fine crafts.
In addition to showcasing her artwork at the Clothesline Festival, Smith also volunteers at the event.
“I usually work in the shop area wrapping the sales,” he said. “This year I’ll be working all day Sunday. If they buy a piece of mine I take a couple of seconds to chat with them.”
Smith said she enjoys the event for its variety of art and always takes time during her lunch break from volunteering to check out the selection.
“It’s amazing the different styles, talents and subject matter out there,” she said. “There’s about 1,500 pieces of art out there.”
Stephanie Doll, Leighton Art Centre executive director, said the event grows each year.
This month, each of the 68 artists exhibiting can bring up to 20 pieces, up from 15 pieces in previous years.
“We are getting a lot of new artists this year - we’ve got over 80 individual artists on site,” she said. “Since we’re getting so many people out, there’s a better selection for everybody.”
New this year is outdoor installation Vital Lines created by Calgary francophone artists Sabine Lecorre-Moore and Patricia Lortie. The large wooden installation is made from materials found on the property and strung with hand-dyed yarn.
Visitors are invited to write their wishes or affirmations on ribbons and weave that into the yarn.
The art show kicks off with a Sunset Soiree May 31 at 5 p.m. featuring art, food, drink, jazz music by the Viviane Martin Trio, silent auction and exclusive access to the annual Clothesline Festival and Art Sale. Tickets cost $65.
The money raised allows the centre to continue offering art and natural programming to more than 7,500 children annually. Admission to the Clothesline Festival on Saturday and Sunday is free. For more details about the event go to leightoncentre.org
