A renowned art centre in Foothills County isn't afraid to put it all on the line for its artists and patrons.
The Leighton Art Centre is holding its Clothesline Art Sale online in June.
“We're happy to do it again this year and we have about 45 artists registered this year for the clothesline online art sale,” said the Leighton’s exhibitions manager, Lindsay Corbet. “That will be over 200 pieces that customers can go online and view at their leisure on opening day.”
Viewable online at the Leighton’s website, the catalogue of those works will go live June 1 at 10 a.m., and remain up until June 30.
Having moved online last year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Corbet said she was pleasantly surprised at the digital turnout for the sale.
“It did really well last year and had a really great response,” she said. “A lot of customers were really happy that we still went ahead with it because it was their favourite event they came to every year.”
. By Image courtesy Leighton Art CentreOkotoks artist and Leighton member Annette Resler’s work will be in the sale, which she considers a privilege.
“I’m always really humbled when I get an invitation to participate,” Resler said. “To have the Clothesline (Sale) online, it’s opening up a lot of artwork.
“It’s nice to have an online presence that brings it to a worldwide audience.”
She looks forward to the gallery being open again.
“The coming weeks could mean people are going to be able to see things in person, which would be fantastic,” she added.
“There’s nothing like seeing the art in person, plus the whole atmosphere out there is just rejuvenating.”
Corbet said that will soon change, as the Leighton has approval from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to open its doors once again as a retail space.
Starting June 1, they will return to their regular open hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday through the summer. It will be limited at 10 per cent capacity, or 8 people.
“We’re very excited to be opening again,” Corbet said.
Prospective visitors could potentially view a piece in person, she added, but because the sale is online, it could get snapped up sooner.
With the grounds open there is also opportunity to enjoy the environs, nestled in the Foothills between Millarville and Okotoks.
“We’re also encouraging people to come out because we have 80 acres of property,” she said.
“If they want to wait to go inside, we’re encouraging people to bring a picnic and enjoy the property.”
The Leighton’s grounds feature three-km of walking trails, she added, which offer a look at bird boxes, where migratory mountain bluebirds will make their nest in the spring and summer.
Visitors are asked to pack out any garbage they pack in, not to pick flowers, and no dogs are allowed. The gates close at 4 p.m. sharp.
The centre is offering curbside pickup for artwork purchased in the online sale, and will ship for $25 to the Foothills and Calgary area or to the rest of Canada for additional shipping.
For more info about the Clothesline Art Sale or visiting the Leighton Art Centre, go to https://shop.leightoncentre.org
