The BIG Show was a well-hyped, hectic & happy celebration of local artistry. Though it started quietly . . .

it quickly became busier.

We started Friday 14 April with Wine & Cheese in the Still Life room (above). Folks also enthusiastically explored the five other gallery spaces. It was a happy crowd!

Happy & engaged. The 169 works by more than 40 artists grabbed attention.

The work also generated conversations among friends & strangers, local & from Montreal & Ottawa.

Conversations with visual artists, as well as local authors.

Saturday The Collectif took part in Global SlowArt Day, encouraging folks to spend 5-10 minutes with each of a few artworks & then share their experience.

Throughout the two-day event, people viewed the show once, twice, multiple times narrowing down the choices for the People’s Choice Award. Voting was challenging but viewers persevered. (There were four gift certificates to local eateries drawn at random from the ballots to encourage participation!)

Claudette Vaillancourt was the crowd favourite, with Fraser’s Burn / Rivière Garry, a 24 x 36 inch acrylic on canvas. Here, Collectif president Bobi Leutshaft Poitras (left) presents Claudette with a gift certificate for artist supplies.

Many, many thanks to the hard-working volunteers, generous sponsors & supportive community who made this show possible. The next Collectif show is 13 May to 17 June 2023, the Juried-101 Show, at the Glengarry Nor’Westers & Loyalist Museum in Williamstown.