ELORA – The Elora Arts Council is changing its name to the Elora Fergus Arts Council.
“This is to tell everyone that we are very inclusive in the Township of Centre Wellington, that we always have been inclusive,” said founding member Beverley Cairns at the Dec. 16 council meeting.
“We have always worked for everyone, not only our members but for all the artists, musicians in the Township of Centre Wellington and we have ongoing programs.”
One of those programs is the Art in Public Places program featuring art in four different public spaces in Centre Wellington: the municipal office, Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, Groves hospital lobby and an office building window.
“I think the arts council has made a great contribution throughout the years to … the continuing strength and growing strength of the arts in this area, which are also becoming a great economic strength,” Cairns said.
The newest featured artist is Ruth Lane, an Elora-based figurative painter, who recently showed her work at the Salt Spring National Art Prize exhibit in BC.
Among 1,700 artist submissions for the BC exhibit, 52 were chosen, nine of which are from Ontario (including Lane).
“When the news got around people were congratulating me and Bev asked if I would be able to show some work here and I was happy to do that,” Lane said.
Mayor Kelly Linton thanked Lane, “I appreciate having your art up in the council chambers.
“Whenever we have to take them down and there are bare walls we really notice the difference.
“I really appreciate you letting us borrow them and look at them for the time being.”
The artwork is switched four times a year.
The work Lane has
submitted to be installed through the Art in Public Places program was done right after she received the Salt Spring National Art Prize.
“I hope that you’ve enjoyed looking at the paintings,” Lane said.
