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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 30, 2010 · 18 Artscene Artists take to Bronte harbour for show By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It's obvious there is tremendous art support in the community as one event has been taking place and thriving in Oakville for years and years. The 45th annual Art in the Park is expected to attract thousands of people to the Bronte waterfront to see exhibits from more than 100 artists. The show will take place on Monday, Aug. 2 (a civic holiday). It's hosted by the Oakville Art Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting art in the community. Just one of the people who have benefited from the annual show is Oakville's Marguerite Broten. The potter has been exhibiting at the event for 25 years and at one point was president of the organizing group. "The Oakville community is very supportive of the Oakville artists. They come back year after year and look for you so in that way it's been a nice fit with the town of Oakville," she said. Artists for the show are selected by a jury. Last year's event had exhibits from more than 150 Canadian artists and a large number of artists can be expected this year again. "If artists realize they can come and will be showing with quality artists beside them, it gives them a certain pride of accomplishment to be juried in," Broten said, of why she believes so many artists participate. The event has grown year after year from humble beginnings to an event that has outgrown Coronation Park, where it used to take place. Broten said, because the event is on a day of the long weekend, it is able to draw many people. And because there is a large audience, many artists get involved each year, thus leading to a thriving event. But, perhaps the largest reason for the show's success is its high quality. "What has remained fairly constant, and I hope the organizers are still keeping that in mind, is the "What has happened to a lot of these events is they have really become kind of craft shows. So we realize that if we're doing that kind of work, it is not a good showing for us to be part of a show where beside us there may be crafts selling for $3 and $4. We have kept the quality, it's a juried show." Marguerite Broten, Oakville artist NIKKI WESLEY/OAKVILLE BEAVER TWO OF A HUNDRED: Robert Boast-Cornish and Marguerite Broten are local artists exhibiting in the Art in the Park show in Bronte on Monday. There will be more than 100 exhibitors and admission is $3. fact that it's what it's called, Art in the Park," she said. "What has happened to a lot of these events is they have really become craft kind of shows. So we realize that if we're doing that kind of work, it is not a good showing for us to be part of a show where beside us there may be crafts that are selling for $3 and $4. We have kept the quality, it's a juried show." All media of art will be shown, including oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings, glass, ceramics, textiles, photography, mixed media, sculptures and fine jewelry. "We are thrilled to be again offering one of the best fine arts festivals in the country and are excited this year about many new additions, including the Trafalgar Brewery's Beer Garden, and entertainment by the group Tropical Daze," said John Edge, Oakville Art Society president, in a press release. "Visitors to the 2010 show will see the return of some of the same artists as in previous years, as well as some new ones, who have never participated before," said Sabine Frisch, Oakville Art Society admin- istrator, in the release. "There is no doubt that the Art in the Park Festival is an important show, and event, for Bronte." Another local artist, painter Robert Boast-Cornish, who has been exhibiting at the event for more than 25 years, agrees with Broten's sentiment about the quality of the show. He also adds the show may have thrived because of its friendly atmosphere. "It's kind of a show where you can bring your family and spend several hours there and keep in touch with local artists and artists from the rest of Ontario. I think it's good value for your money," he said. "It's a very professional show and the people who attend the show are there to buy art. And it's nice meeting old friends and to meet new friends. It seems to happen every year." The artist added that even if he doesn't sell any work at the show, that's fine with him because he has a good time meeting people at the show. Organizers also point out that an outdoor exhibit in the park makes a great setting for a lively show. The Trafalgar Brewery will be offering food and refreshments at its beer garden. The event takes place at the Heritage Waterfront Park in Bronte from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 at the gate. For more information visit www.oakvilleartsociety.com.