VVA Very Festive Art Show and Sale

VVA Very Festive Art Show and Sale

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Eighteen artists showcased and had their artwork up for sale at the Vegreville Visual Artists (VVA) Very Festive Art Show and Sale at Vegreville Centennial Library on Nov. 19. Approximately 250 people attended this event.

Music Instructor in Vegreville Laura Lillies and her students Campbell Prestash and Miya Burghardt performed several music pieces while other students joined later to perform a music piece.

Spokesperson for VVA Marg Varga organized this event with Dianna Sapara. Varga said there were local artists and then VVA invited regional artists from two different art clubs to participate in this show.

“We had a high school art contest where we had about 20 entries. We offered a first, second, and third prize, as well as, many honourable mentions.

From L-R: VVA Spokesperson Marg Varga with first place art winner, Isabella De Guzman, second place winner Kiera Comeau, third place winner Claire Miller and art teacher Mrs. Wotias.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

The winners for this contest were first place went to Isabella De Guzman, second place went to Kiera Comeau, and third place went to Claire Miller.

Another thing that was different for us this year was some of VVA artists joined in with the Vegreville Agricultural Society and Chamber of Commerce Christmas Arts and Craft Sale at Vegreville Social Centre because they made smaller items that were arty and crafty projects.

Deanna Miller painted some angel wings for people to use to take selfie photos,” Varga explained.

Sapara added they had 18 artists. “We had 10 local artists from Vegreville area. We had one from Viking, one from Redwater, two from the Edmonton area, three from Sherwood Park and the other artist was from the regional area.

There were two artists at a time painting on site. We also had Vegreville Food Bank Toonie and Art Raffle,” Sapara explained.

Artist Terry Berg.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

A new artist Terry Berg who recently moved to Vegreville was at this event. Terry said, “I’ve been doing art for five years almost exactly now. About two years later, I discovered oil painting and realized that I had a better ability with art than I ever had before. It’s healing for me.

People wanted the art I was creating, so I began selling some. Mostly I paint what I’m inspired to paint, but I do commissions at times as well.

I’ve focused mainly on animals and conservation and was accepted as a member of Artists for Conservation, a worldwide group of 500 artists. I do paint other things though; flowers, scenery, portraits, old cars, statues, and veteran paintings (my husband is a veteran). All of my paintings are done in oil paint.”