The Studio 1010 Art Group is hosting their annual Art Show and Sale at the Grace Campbell Gallery in the J. M. Cuelenaere Branch of the Prince Albert Public Library.
The group hosted their opening reception on April 6. This is the second show of the season for Studio 1010, who also do a show at the Hicks Gallery in the Margo Fournier Arts Centre in October of each year.
Longtime member Shirley Markell said having multiple shows makes everyone work harder.
“It’s a great incentive to get work complete, (and) framed, wires on the back, ready to go (and) labelled,” Markell said. “We probably wouldn’t be doing that if we didn’t have shows coming up.”
The 1010 art group is a group of local artists who meet every Monday afternoon to work on their individual art projects. They are named after the address of the Margo Founier Arts Centre and have been around for over a decade in the city.
Markell is one of the group’s original members. She studied art as a university student, and took up painting again after retiring. She has loved her time with Studio 1010.
“Judie (Relitz) and I were talking and we think maybe it’s 18 years (since starting),” Markell explained. “It was about 2005 or 2006…. We were taking art classes and got to know each other a little bit. We just liked the time that we could get together and paint.”
The show is for watercolour, acrylic and oil art. Markell’s preferred medium is watercolour.
“I’m a teacher by trade,” she explained. “At university Art was my minor and I worked with oils and acrylics at that time, but I always had wanted to try watercolour, so, when I retired, Joyce Middlebrook was teaching watercolour and she’s an excellent artist and teacher. So quite a few of us met there so I’ve carried it on and just because trying to do too many mediums is just too much.”
Markell had four pieces in the show, all completed after she had surgery in November 2023. The paintings include portraits of her grandchildren and other family members, plus a few beloved pets.
After exploring that theme, she’s moved on to another one with her current projects.
“I’m trying to do sparkling water at the moment,” she said. “I’m working at it. I’ve done a few. I’m not really satisfied with them.”
Markell said there are currently some restrictions in place for Studio 1010. The group doesn’t allow oil painting because some members are allergic to them. However, they try to be welcoming of everyone.
Markell would encourage anyone who is interested to join Studio 1010. The group has no formal instructors, although senior members often encourage rookie artists, and share tips and tricks they know. The cost is $80 per year which helps to cover the rent of the Arts Centre for the year.
“The ladies are so helpful with beginners or anybody wanting to know anything,” she said. “Occasionally we get guest artists in to teach something new…. We have had people come and talk to us about pricing and plagiarism and things like that.”
The Studio 1010 show runs from March 30 to April 25 at the Grace Campbell Gallery.
If you are interested in joining Studio 1010 contact Relitz at j.frelitz@sasktel.net for further information. They meet on Monday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and you can set up a table and join.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
