Photo: Popik Photography

The 32nd Annual Art Auction raised over $45,000 net income for the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.

On Saturday, April 28th over 200 supporters gathered in the Teresa Sargent Hall of the Montrose Cultural Centre here in Grande Prairie. Guests generously bid on 65 original works of art knowing that 100% of their donations directly support the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.

This year’s Art Auction was a special event to thanks for the generous support we received from the donating artists, sponsors, staff, board and volunteers. Thank you to all that attended or supported in any way and to this year’s Art Auction committee members, Patricia Trout (Chair), Jean Bauer, Brandi Martin, Carrie Klukas and Rob Swanston.

Great job everyone! We hope you all had a wonderful evening and the Gallery
hopes to see you all again next year.

Thank you to the following artists who donated artwork:

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie would like to thank the following Art Auction Sponsors and Supporters:

Event Title Sponsors
Q99 FM
Canadian Tire Grande Prairie

Catalogue Sponsor
Art Forever Council

Patrons of the Gallery
Big CountryXX FM
Gail Haakstad of Royal LePage Realty
Kay McVey Smith & Carlstrom LLP
Ken & Teresa Sargent Family Foundation
Northern Metalic
V the Vacation Store

Friends of The Gallery
AON Reed Stenhouse
Apex Security
Fred and Ruth Estlin
Investors Group

Raffle Me An Artist
presented by Forbes and Friends Flair Boutique

Gift in Kind
Alberta North Auction Services
Canadian Linen
Marcy’s Flower Boutique
Menzies Printers
Visa Truck Rentals

Catalogue Design
Rob Swanston

Live music by GP3

Photos
Candice Popik of Popik Photograhy

Photo: Popik Photography

Photo: Popik Photography

More photos from the evening can be viewed by the public on our Facebook page.

The Prairie Art Gallery will be renamed the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie in celebration of its major expansion into the restored 1929 Grande Prairie High School building, set to re-open in phases beginning May 11. The new name and logo were unveiled April 28, 2012 at the 32nd Annual Art Auction to a crowd of over 200 supporters.

“This change is meant to celebrate all of the major changes that we have made recently and to mark the significance of this expansion in the proud history of our organization” said Robert Steven, Executive Director/Curator of the new Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, formerly the Prairie Art Gallery.

The expansion has been almost 10 years in the making, and it will increase the size of the Art Gallery to more than double its previous size. The organization that operates the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie will maintain its legal name, Prairie Gallery Society, that it was incorporated in 1975 with no change.

This is not the first time the Art Gallery has changed its operating name or logo. The Art Gallery opened in 1975 under the name “Prairie Gallery” and in 1993 that was changed to “The Prairie Art Gallery.” The Art Gallery has used at least 5 different logos since 1975 prior to the new one unveiled on Saturday.

The name change will be phased in gradually, and a new web address, www.aggp.ca will be in place by May 11, when the first exhibition opens in the restored building. Journey 2012 by Jim Stokes and Carmen Haakstad opens May 11 at 7pm.

The new logo design was overseen by a committee of the Board of Directors of the Prairie Gallery Society, who are very grateful to Define Design, Grande Prairie; Teeple Architects, Toronto; Image Design Professionals, Grande Prairie; and the staff and Board of the new Art Gallery of Grande Prairie for their contributions and support.

The new logo is a square containing an A, which stands for Art, the design and placement of which illustrate the roofline of the Montrose Cultural Centre, the landmark downtown complex that houses the new Art Gallery of Grande Prairie and now incorporates the historic 1929 Grande Prairie High School building.

Printable media release

It was first announced to the public on April 28th at the gallery’s 32nd Annual Art Auction where the new name and logo was unveiled to all of the art auction guests before the beginning of the live auction.

The board and staff of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie are very pleased with the new name and logo. The restored building is in its final stages of construction and is scheduled to be open to the public on May 11, 2012 with an opening reception for the exhibition Journey 2012.

Exhibition: Artwork on display April 5 – 25, 2012
Special Reception held Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 7pm
V the Vacation Store, 10017B – 100 Avenue, Grande Prairie

You are invited to get a first look at the selected live auction artworks for this year’s Art Auction. Approximately 20 pieces will be on display at V the Vacation Store located in downtown Grande Prairie. You will also have the opportunity to place an absentee bid if you are unable to attend this year’s event on April 28th. This is a wonderful way to support the gallery and is a great way to discover a favourite artwork.

Join us for a special evening reception hosted by V the Vacation Store on Thursday, April 19 at 7pm to see all of the live auction artworks and enjoy the hospitality of V the Vacation Store.

V the Vacation Store
10017B – 100 Avenue, Grande Prairie
Monday to Friday              9 am – 5 pm
Saturday                              10 am – 2 pm

Additional Preview Dates
Artwork included in both the live and silent auctions will be on display in the Teresa Sargent Hall in the Montrose Cultural Centre. Drop-in, while we’re still preparing for the auction, to view all 63 artworks on April 27 & 28th where you will also have the opportunity to place an absentee bid if you’re unable to attend this year’s event on April 28th at 7:00pm.

Teresa Sargent Hall in the Montrose Cultural Centre
9839 – 103 Avenue, Grande Prairie
Friday, April 27th                 2 – 4 pm
Saturday, April 28th          12 – 2 pm

Learn more about the 32nd Annual Art Auction, Saturday, April 28, 2012

Three regional galleries and one arts organization coordinate the program for the AFA:

• Northwest Alberta: The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie
• Northeast and North Central Alberta: The Art Gallery of Alberta
• Southwest Alberta: The Alberta Society of Artists
• Southeast Alberta: Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

As the program coordinator for Region 1 (Northwest Alberta) the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is happy to share the call for submissions from Region 2 (Northeast and North Central Alberta) by the Art Gallery of Alberta.

Call for submissions from the Art Gallery of Alberta

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX), organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta, invites interested Albertan artists to submit art images for consideration for a TREX exhibition which will tour Alberta, beginning in September of 2013. (actual dates: September 2013 to August 2015)

This new TREX exhibition is entitled Black Gold. Through art works, archival photographs, and educational materials this exhibition will recognize the centenary of the Turner Valley Oil discovery of 1913, investigate the development of the petroleum industry in Alberta over the past century, and examine perceptions of this industry as expressed by Albertan artists.

To be considered for this exhibition submissions must include the following:

1.  Artist contact information (address, phone number, e-mail address)
2.  Artist biography
3.  Artist statement
4.  A CD of current or theme-related art images (submission should include up to 10 high quality digital images – images should be in jpeg format at 300dpi)
5.  Image list (including medium, image size)

Please note: Art works may be in any media although, due to eventual venue exhibition requirements, 2D works are preferred.

Please ensure that artist’s name and address is clearly marked on each part of the submission.

Please note: If an artist wishes materials to be returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the submission.

Please note: TREX pays artist fees

Submission Deadline: Friday, June 29, 2012

Submissions may be delivered or mailed to:

Shane Golby
Manager/Curator
Alberta Foundation for the Arts TREX Program
Region 2, Art Gallery of Alberta
10550-107 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5H 2Y6
Ph: 780-428-3830

e-mail: shane.golby@youraga.ca

Printable version

The gallery is entering the final stages of construction which means the gallery is required to close to the public one last time while the construction crews hammer the last nail, install the last door, set the last tile and paint the last wall. When completed, gallery staff will begin installing the new art exhibitions that will be opening May 11, 2012 at an opening reception at 7:00 pm.

The staff and board thank you for your patience and we look forward to welcoming you to see our new art gallery on May 11, 2012.

(one year maternity replacement, with possibility for extension)
Compensation based on education and experience

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Greet visitors at The Gallery
• Develop thorough knowledge of The Gallery’s exhibitions and programs
• Provide informal tours to visitors
• Process registrations, memberships, and donations
• Document statistics
• Answer phones and other basic administrative duties
• Tidy and clean gallery and reception areas as needed
• Assist in art installations as the exhibitions change
• Assist in the art openings as needed

Skills and Requirements:

• High school diploma
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Must be punctual and outgoing
• Passionate about art
• Available to work evenings and weekends

Send resume and cover letter attention Lori Brough

• Fax : (780) 539-9522
• E-mail: lori@prairiegallery.com
• Address: #103, 9839-103 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 6M7

Deadline: Monday, April 9, 2012

Each war bride who attended received a beautiful, red carnation corsage and a copy of the War Brides exhibition catalogue. Our special guests also received a warm welcome and introduction by the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie’s Executive Director/Curator, Robert Steven.

This exhibition is the first time two new paintings have been shown publicly. One of the paintings was unveiled for the first time to local war bride, Aleyda “Piep” Campbell, who had not yet seen the completed portrait of her. She was delighted to see it displayed for the first time among the other war brides.

War Brides is on view until April 1, 2012.

War Brides pictured in the photo with Bev Tosh (alphabetical order)

Ruth Antonio
Piep Campbell
Violet Dryer
Betty Eskdale
Cathy Golding
Margaret Krzyczkowski
Elvir Tetlock
Margaret Weaver

Special thanks to the Grande Prairie Cadets

Capt. Scott Hagarty
Cpl. Alex Bilodeau
MCpl Lucas Stauffer
MCpl Garret Bowey

View more photos from the Valentine’s Tea on our public facebook page.

Join The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie in celebration of its 32nd Annual Art Auction, where you will see local, regional and national artwork on display.

Each guest will receive an elegant commemorative art auction catalogue illustrating every artwork in the live and silent auction. Enjoy a sparkling champagne reception and delicious light buffet all while relaxing to local live music with GP3. All funds raised at the Art Auction directly support The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.

Saturday, April 28, 2012
7:00 pm
Doors open at 6:45 pm

Teresa Sargent Hall, Montrose Cultural Centre,
9839 – 103 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB

Purchasing Tickets:
Tickets are $100 each

In Person: Purchase tickets in person at The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, 9839 – 103 Avenue.
Phone: Call the Gallery at (780) 532-8111 and speak to reception to purchase your tickets over the phone.
Fax/Email: View the 2012 Ticket & Opportunities Order Form that can be printed, filled out and faxed to the gallery at (780) 539-9522 to reserve your tickets. You may also scan the completed form and send a PDF to us by email at info@prairiegallery.com.

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie would like to thank the following Art Auction Sponsors and Supporters:

Event Title Sponsors
Q99 FM
Canadian Tire Grande Prairie

Patrons of the Gallery
Big CountryXX FM
Gail Haakstad of Royal LePage Realty
Kay McVey Smith & Carlstrom LLP
Ken & Teresa Sargent Family Foundation
Northern Metalic
V the Vacation Store

Friends Of The Gallery
AON Reed Stenhouse
Apex Security
Fred and Ruth Estlin
Investors Group

Raffle Me An Artist
presented by Forbes and Friends Flair Boutique

Gift in Kind
Alberta North Auction Services
Canadian Linen
Marcy’s Flower Boutique
Menzies Printers
Visa Truck Rentals

Opportunities & Acknowledgements
We believe that your partnership in this event can be beneficial for both you and for the community. If you would like information on any of our event opportunities, please contact Rob Swanston directly at (780) 357 – 7486 and he would be happy to answer questions.

View detailed information about event opportunities

Donating Artists
The deadline for donating art work has passed and we’re very happy to have 65 artworks in the auction. Thank you so much to the artists who have generously donated this year. For a chance to view the artwork, prior to the event on April 28th, join us for the Sneak Peek exhibition or at the Art Auction preview. (see below)

Raffle Me An Artist
Presented by Forbes and Friends Flair Boutique
Art Auction guests can enter a raffle to win a commissioned work of art by the artist of their choice. The winning raffle ticket will receive a $500 discount off of a commissioned piece of art created by one of the artists listed at the event.  The chosen artist will receive $500 upon completion of the work. This artist will work with the raffle ticket winner regarding the size, style, colour palette, and any additional fees. Tickets are $20 each or $50 for 3 tickets.

Art Auction Preview

Exhibition: Artwork on display April 5 – 25, 2012
Special Reception held Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 7pm
V the Vacation Store, 10017B – 100 Avenue, Grande Prairie

You are invited to get a first look at the selected live auction artworks for this year’s Art Auction. Approximately 20 pieces will be on display at V the Vacation Store located in downtown Grande Prairie. You will also have the opportunity to place an absentee bid if you are unable to attend this year’s event on April 28th. This is a wonderful way to support the gallery and is a great way to discover a favourite artwork.

Join us for a special evening reception hosted by V the Vacation Store on Thursday, April 19 at 7pm to see all of the live auction artworks and enjoy the hospitality of V the Vacation Store.

V the Vacation Store
10017B – 100 Avenue, Grande Prairie
Monday to Friday                9 am – 5 pm
Saturday                              10 am – 2 pm

Additional Preview Dates
Artwork included in both the live and silent auctions will be on display in the Teresa Sargent Hall in the Montrose Cultural Centre. Drop-in, while we’re still preparing for the auction, to view all 63 artworks on April 27 & 28th where you will also have the opportunity to place an absentee bid if you’re unable to attend this year’s event on April 28th at 7:00pm.

Teresa Sargent Hall in the Montrose Cultural Centre
9839 – 103 Avenue, Grande Prairie
Friday, April 27th                      2 – 4 pm
Saturday, April 28th               12 – 2 pm