This past weekend, the Bowman Arts Centre opened up their last three exhibitions before shutting their doors and preparing for the big move in May to the new community arts centre.
“I’m excited about the move, but It’s a little bittersweet,” said Bowman Arts Centre curator Darcy Logan.
“ It has been an epicentre for the arts community for many years,” he continued.
“ We have two exhibitions here which are quite suitable for our last days here,” said Bowman Arts Centre curator Darcy Logan.
“ But there are problems and and limitations that I’m looking forward to resolving,” he continued adding the fact it is over capacity is only one of them.
“There is carpet on the walls (at the Bowman). But the new gallery will be a real pleasure to exhibit work in. It is a really professional, modern place for exhbitions,” he continued.
Logan carefully chose the last exhibitions to reflect not only long standing users of the facility, but newcomers as well.
The Group of Several, featuring a selection of paintings from Roy Adachi, Betty Bourke, Donna Crawford, Julie Cuthbertson, Tweela Houtekamer, Dianne Kubik, Connie Larson, Gerard Plettell and Janice Sheets will fill one room.
There are some prints and some acrylics.They have never had a chance to exhibit here before, so I was quite excited to have their exhibit as one of the last ones,” he said.
“The subject matter is quite traditional so there are a lot of things like landscapes,” Logan continued.
He is especially excited to feature “Creation, Culmination and Conclusion” in the other room. It is a juried exhibition of work by the Lethbridge artist’s club, who have been using the building as a home since the 1960s.
“They are one of the oldest art groups going in Lethbridge. They’ve been around since the 1930s,” he enthused adding he thought they had been operating out of the Bowman Arts Centre since the 1960s.Their works also feature very traditional subject matter in a variety of mediums ncluding oul, watercolour and acrylics.
And Mexican born artist Patricia Polo, who has recently relocated to Lethbridge, has her works in the Bowman showcases.
“She was part of the community there. I’m very pleased to give her the opportunity to show her new community her most recent works she has produced,” he said.
There will also be a new exhibition, “Pleine Aire Work,” at the Yates Theatre Gallery opening the same night including recent works by Sylvia Klassen, Karina Mak and Eric Martens who decided among themselves to “paint in the open air.”
The opening reception for all three exhibits was Jan 26.
They will be on display until April 6, when the Bowman prepares to move to the new community arts centre.
