Ausable – Port Franks Optimist Club’s ‘Free To Create’ Art Filled Weekend!
Port Franks was awash with creativity over the Mother’s Day weekend as the Ausable-Port Franks Optimists produced their annual ‘Free to Create’ youth art exhibition and sale. Forty young artists participated, entering a diverse variety of imaginative and creative works of art. Kids from as far away as Stratford, Bayfield, Watford and Brights Grove were represented along with many from right here in Lambton Shores. Prizes were awarded in three age categories and the winning piece in the age 14-18 category was purchased by the Municipality of Lambton Shores to become part of its permanent collection! Congratulations to all of the winners, and congratulations to every participant. The show was well attended by proud artists and their families as well as many people who dropped in to view the art. Judging by the comments in the guest book, everyone was thoroughly impressed by what they saw!
In its inaugural appearance, a gallery upstairs in the Optimist Hall featured ten local artists. There were quite a few different mediums and styles represented, including beautiful quilts, hooked rugs and Ukrainian eggs. This gallery was so well received that we think it will continue to be part of our annual Free to Create event!
The event also featured fun food, live music and an art centre for kids to create their own art to take home. Everything was free, including admission. The Grand Bend Art Centre provided a generous grant, and Green Bucks in Grand Bend donated a wealth of art supplies so that each and every participant was able to take home a great ‘goodie bag’.
Port Franks was awash with creativity over the Mother’s Day weekend as the Ausable-Port Franks Optimists produced their annual ‘Free to Create’ youth art exhibition and sale. Forty young artists participated, entering a diverse variety of imaginative and creative works of art. Kids from as far away as Stratford, Bayfield, Watford and Brights Grove were represented along with many from right here in Lambton Shores. Prizes were awarded in three age categories and the winning piece in the age 14-18 category was purchased by the Municipality of Lambton Shores to become part of its permanent collection! Congratulations to all of the winners, and congratulations to every participant. The show was well attended by proud artists and their families as well as many people who dropped in to view the art. Judging by the comments in the guest book, everyone was thoroughly impressed by what they saw!
In its inaugural appearance, a gallery upstairs in the Optimist Hall featured ten local artists. There were quite a few different mediums and styles represented, including beautiful quilts, hooked rugs and Ukrainian eggs. This gallery was so well received that we think it will continue to be part of our annual Free to Create event!
The event also featured fun food, live music and an art centre for kids to create their own art to take home. Everything was free, including admission. The Grand Bend Art Centre provided a generous grant, and Green Bucks in Grand Bend donated a wealth of art supplies so that each and every participant was able to take home a great ‘goodie bag’.
Optimist International President Tracy Huxley with our First Place winner in the 14-18yr category Myah Quinn of Arkona
First Place in the 14 -18 category wins not only a cash prize, but her artwork will be displayed in the brand new Municipality of Lambton Shores administration building! It was originally supposed to be just for the summer; however, Mayor Cook came to see the show and decided the municipality would purchase the painting and keep it in its permanent collection!
Congratulations to Myah Quinn of Arkona!
Myah will also be invited to joing the adult local artists in the upstairs gallery next year.
Congratulations to Myah Quinn of Arkona!
Myah will also be invited to joing the adult local artists in the upstairs gallery next year.
To see all of the art and many pictures from the event please click on the galleries below (the images will expand and captions will be visible):
Winning artwork
The youth gallery
VIP attendees
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The Local Artists' Gallery
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Upstairs gallery artists' reception
100% volunteers!
This was put on by our amazing Optimists under the leadership of Janice Cuckovic and her team - Petar Cuckovic, Dawn Greco, Emily Campbell, Debbie Arnett, Monical Kleiber and Linda Attard. The volunteer help by Bruce Harmer, Christina Cuckovic, Lori Ronald, Paul Trottier, Deb Edwards, John and Marcia O'Rae, Ginny Loeb, Janet Waite and Derek Scott was much appreciated. Team Work made the Dream Work!!
