ArtCity: Virtually Visual Elements

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Mary Reid

ArtCity

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The Woodstock Art Gallery has been closed now for approximately three months and during that time, the team has been busily and bravely exploring this new world of virtual programming. The gallery’s education department has developed a whole suite of activities and experiences that are accessible via www.cityofwoodstock.ca/en/live-and-play/wag-virtual-resources.aspx.

The most recent foray into the fully virtual world is the mounting of the Visual Elements 62: Annual Juried Exhibition. The juried exhibition is a cornerstone of the formation of the art gallery itself. It was the activity and response from the annual exhibitions organized in the early 1960s in Woodstock that led to the creation of the Woodstock Art Gallery. It is eagerly anticipated each year and generally boasts our largest attendance numbers. Due its importance, I was not going let a “little thing” such as a global pandemic stop the show. I am pleased that we are moving full steam ahead and will be mounting this significant project entirely online for the first time in its 62-year history.

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An esteemed jury has been assembled this year that includes jewelry designer Asma Khanani, printmaker Kristine MacGregor and senior curator George Wale. The formation of the jury is always a delicate balance, mixing disciplines and perspectives with expertise and insights. Each member of the jury has been connected to the Woodstock Art Gallery for the past few years. George has been an important member of the gallery’s docent committee, Kristine has taught workshops as part of our public programs, and Asma is a recent addition to Woodstock whose work is represented in the gallery’s gift shop.

The next step is the call to artists and trying to get the word out far and wide. As some of our usual channels of communicating have been put on pause, this has provided the opportunity for other avenues for promotion. Certainly social media is a big help, but this year the gallery really wants to encourage those closet artists who may have only recently come into their own creative talents during this COVID lockdown. If you know of an artist who needs a bit of nudge please encourage them to make a submission this year. The online registration form can be found at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/en/live-and-play/wag-upcoming-exhibitions.aspx.

The annual juried exhibition is an excellent foray into the professional art world. The beauty of this exhibition is that is open to all artists, from those budding dabblers to the seasoned professionals. What all artists have in common with this process is the willingness to take a leap of faith and offer up their private creations for public scrutiny – certainly not an easy path to follow, but so necessary if one wants their career and practice to develop and evolve. I have personally seen many artists in our region submit for the first time and, within a few years, win “Best in Show.”

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This year, the jurying process will be done entirely remotely. Because artworks will be solely judged on the photographs submitted, it is imperative that images submitted are of the highest calibre. The selection process is very rigorous, usually going through to about seven or eight rounds (or more) that are filled with passionate discussions as each work is considered. At times, conversations can become heated but this all adds to the strength and rigour of the resulting exhibition.

Once selected, the gallery team will work its magic and arrange for it to all be available online. To try to keep things as “normal” as possible, the anticipated launch date is July 15, which follows the 2020 exhibition schedule as planned pre-COVID and is in line with previous years. The community will also be able to vote for the People’s Choice Award through an online poll.

I am very excited by the potential this new virtual platform will provide as the extraordinary talent that resides in our region can now be shared around the world, 24/7, in the blink of an eye.

Mary Reid is the director/curator of the Woodstock Art Gallery.