Every Thursday, a room at the Middle Sackville Baptist Church fills up with artists from around the region who come together to learn and share in their creative practice. They are members of the Sackville Art Association, a group first formed in 1935, which continues to offer regional artists the camaraderie of their creative peers, along with learning opportunities, and occasional inspiration.
Members of the Sackville Art Association will celebrate the opening of their annual exhibition at the Owens Art Gallery this Sunday from 3pm to 5pm, with refreshments, remarks, juried awards, and a chance to cast a vote for their annual Peoples’ Choice award.
CHMA stopped by the weekly gathering of artists to meet Cathy Thurston, Shelley Miller, Sharon Hicks, Phyllis Cormier and Annette Martin, and hear about what the Sackville Art Association means to them:
Member Cathy Thurston is quick to mention the Sackville Art Association’s well-known artist alumni (Alex Colville, Ted Pulford, and Lawren P. Harris were all members) but what really makes the artist’s eyes light up is talking about what the present-day group has meant to her life, especially after she retired from her career in mental health.
“My staff wondered, what is she going to do when she retires?” recalls Thurston, “but this became my focus.”
Thurston’s post-retirement art practice led her to become involved in the Tidnish Bridge Art Gallery, and the Sackville Art Association provided her with consistent learning opportunities and a support network. “It was essential, really, to my well being,” says Thurston. “And I love these people.”
“It’s an artistic family,” says member Sharon Hicks, who belonged to a similar group in Fredericton. “As soon as I moved home, first thing I did was look up this group,” recalls Hicks.
The group of artists work in a variety of media. The day of CHMA’s visit artist member Annette Martin is teaching a photocopy transfer technique inspired by the work of Canadian and Indigenous artist Carl Beam. Some members also work in fibre arts, photography, and sculpture.
The association has a total of about 70 members, enough to fund scholarships for fine arts-bound students at both Tantramar Regional High School and Amherst High School. The membership is widespread through the cross border region centering around Sackville.
The group is more supportive than competitive, says Thurston, but that doesn’t stop them from recognizing outstanding work at their annual exhibition. At the opening gala (this Sunday, 3-5pm at the Owens Art Gallery) three award winners will be announced, judged by artist and art educator Louise Cloutier from Oxford, Nova Scotia. There will also be an opportunity for the viewing audience to vote for a people’s choice award winner.
The Sackville Art Association annual show continues at the Owens Art Gallery through to December 8, 2024.
