Behind the scenes at the Mt. A Show and Sale

Student artists exhibit their work, ranging from prints to rugs and everything in between

Several student artists exhibited and sold their work last Thursday and Friday at the latest iteration of the Fine Arts Society’s semesterly Show and Sale.

“Show and Sales are a great way for students to gain experience with marketing their work and make some extra cash. It has the potential to be a really great opportunity for both artists and those who are interested in finding gifts and adding interesting pieces to their collections,” said event organizer Brenna MacMillan. Logan Milne, a fine arts student, added that “these sales are important because they not only help us fund our practices and projects, but also because they help with exposure.”

Gill Hill/Argosy

Beyond the usual paintings and sculptures, there were some unusual pieces with interesting stories behind them for sale. Milne’s own pieces come to mind.

Milne specializes in rug hooking, a time-intensive art form. A single rug can often take several weeks to complete. Milne said, “I enjoy, and am naturally drawn to, processes that require a lot of time and effort. I find that they enable a rich and worthwhile experience in terms of thinking an idea of a feeling through.”

“Making things with my hands,” she continued, “is something that has always come really naturally to me. Last Christmas, I was lucky enough to be mentored by a master rug hooker in Fredericton, Elizabeth Bastin. It was amazing and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Art such as this work by Logan Milne @thepunkrabbit was on display for purchase. Gillian Hill/Argosy

In addition to Milne’s work, the Show and Sale featured lithography prints and silkscreen prints by fine arts students Bayonne Rongen and Sylvan Hamburger, respectively. Rongen said about her pieces, “I really enjoy playing with the mythological or fantasy factor that can be applied to everyday life, which can create all sorts of emotions to come across in my work.”

On the logistical side of things, MacMillan said, “Organizing can be a little hectic but we have a great team on the Fine Arts Society: Madeleine Hansen, Braden Chetwynd, Malcolm Campbell and Gabrielle Johnson. We work really well together and also have the help of the fine arts secretary, Leslie Bonang, who is fantastic and is essentially the glue that holds the whole department together.”

When Bonang was asked about the importance of a Show and Sale, she reiterated MacMillan’s earlier sentiment: “These shows are important for our students to show their work to both the University community and the larger Sackville community, as well as to provide them with an opportunity to sell what they have created.”

Rongen added, “I think that everyone should support local artists. It sustains the continuous production of art, and it helps the smaller local artists get more of a voice within the community with what they are trying to say in their art.”

MacMillan mentioned that the next Show and Sale will likely take place at the end of this semester. Members of the Sackville community, definitely keep your eyes peeled. Who knows? You might find your next living room centrepiece.

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