Virtual Exhibition: Art in the Time of Corona #WorldArtDay

by Shelby Smith

 

Today (April 15th) is World Art Day.  World Art Day was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at their General Conference in 2019.  

Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for all peoples across the globe and plays an important role in sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity and dialogue. These are qualities that art has always had, and will always have if we continue to support environments where artists and artistic freedom are promoted and protected. In this way, furthering the development of art also furthers our means to achieve a free and peaceful world.

Each year, on 15 April, World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development. It is also an occasion to shine a light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave the way for inclusive and equitable education.

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Today is a great day to get out there and enjoy your favourite creative activities so read a book, draw a picture, watch a movie, and listen to your favourite song!  

For World Art Day at The Muse, we want to celebrate our local and regional artists.  That’s why we are sharing with you our virtual exhibition, Art in the Time of Corona, which features artwork from over 40 artists that call Northwestern Ontario home for at least part of the year.  

The exhibition was originally displayed in person at the Douglas Family Art Centre from October 30, 2020 to February 27, 2021.  However, we know that various restrictions and shutdowns prevented many from seeing the show.  Earlier this year, we reached out to artists to see if there was interest in participating in the virtual exhibition, and most agreed to participate!  We are pleased to present this exhibition to you at no cost, though we would like to encourage all to become a member or make a donation if you enjoy the show.

Art in the Time of Corona features work in a variety of media including poetry, painting, glass, ceramic, photography, textiles, and videos.  The works featured in this exhibition were created during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect what people were thinking, feeling, and doing a year ago at the beginning of the pandemic.  In the words of Art Centre Curator, Sophie Lavoie: “This exhibition is a means by which we can come together as a community and, through the art we have created in this time, support each other and share in our collective experience.”

We hope that you enjoy the show!  

 

Did you know?

Both the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company operated on the Lake of the Woods, and would often sabotage each others equipment at portage sites.