An art gallery on one of Okotoks’ oldest streets is hosting its first event since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Alberta, featuring the work of five artists in an outdoor garden setting.
Lineham House Galleries co-founder Cheryl Taylor had been making plans with resident artist Susan Torris to host a show in March, but a lockdown on businesses as a result of the virus put the plan on hold.
The Art in the Garden event has been rescheduled for July 18 from noon to 4 p.m.
“We waited until we saw that some people were ready to be out interacting in shops again,” said Taylor. “We took our cues from the public.”
Torris invited Okotoks artists Marg Smith and Tina Winistok, as well as Calgary artists Dana Winistok and Deborah Whitten, to showcase their talent alongside hers in the afternoon art show. Okotoks musician Hanna Taylor will entertain guests from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“In order to make people feel comfortable, who might not be ready yet to enter regularly into businesses, we’re putting our faith in the outdoors and the five artists will be set up in tents around the garden,” said Taylor. “The open air concept, we think, will make everybody feel quite comfortable and encourage participation and attendance.”
Taylor is encouraging those planning to take in the Elks Farmers Market on Elizabeth Street around the corner from the gallery will walk down to Elma Street for the Art in the Garden event.
She said the event will follow all Alberta Health Services guidelines regarding COVID-19 for the safety of the public and is eager to see business get back to normal in the coming months.
“We have a lot of events at Lineham House, so it’s been very hard not having those events to bring people in,” she said. “While we haven’t got anything planned specifically for Lineham House after Susan’s show, I’ve been very busy starting to get events off the ground for both Elma Street and Rosebud, Alberta.”
Taylor said plans are in the works for a clothesline art sale on Aug. 22 and the third annual Elma Street Arts Walk on Sept. 12.
