The Elora Festival and Singers will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a contest, and artists are invited to submit work that can be used as the illustration for 2009 marketing material.
Minutes from a 1979 board meeting mention an art show to be run in conjunction with what was then Three Centuries Festival. In 1980, the minutes indicated that an invitational art show was being planned and presented at Elora Mill and Gallery 480. That was eventually taken over by the Elora Arts Council, and is now the popular Insights art show that takes place each summer at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. It is the longest running juried art exhibit in Ontario.
“For years, festival posters were collectible works of art,” said competition juror Shirley Al, who also serves as chairman of Insights. “I know many people who have framed collections in their homes. The fact that volunteers from the Elora Festival established Insights 30 years ago is a great marriage between the origins of the two organizations. It’s wonderful that the 30th anniversary will be celebrated by going back to its roots.”
Three prizes will be awarded. Third place is $500, and second place is $1,000. The first place prize is $1,500, and the imagery will be used on marketing materials for the 2009 season. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 16.
The top three pieces will be unveiled at the festival launch on April 15. Submissions can be paintings, photography, and other two-dimensional art, no larger than 14 by 24 inches, vertical. Additional information and entry forms are available on the festival website, www.elorafestival.com/ART.shtml or by calling the festival office at 519-846-0331.
The 30th anniversary Elora Festival runs from July 10 to Aug. 2.
