GORE BAY—Three months ago the Manitoulin Island Artists Guild put out a call to artists across the region. Artists from near and far were presented with a challenge to create a piece of art on a canvas that was already painted black and provided to them by the guild. The challenge to the artists was to use only one colour—black.
Impossible, you might say. You would think so, but the results will astonish you.
The Little Black Canvas Event opened at Studio 6 at the Gore Bay Harbour Centre last Saturday.
Exhibition concept creator and curator Perry Patterson explained, “the 40 canvasses are all 6×6 in size, each painted black. Then we put out a call to artists and challenged them to create something only using the colour black on the canvas.”
Mr. Patterson said 38 artists completed canvasses, with the artists having three months to come up with a concept and contribute their final work to the show.
Artists from Manitoulin Island, Espanola and Sudbury took up the challenge and swung at it like professionals.
Organizers Sharon Alkenbrack and Helen Siksek, called it humbling to see a strong response from the arts and culture community. “Aside from our friends and local artist community in Gore Bay, we’ve had a response from the regional art clubs and associations.”
“They are closely interconnected anyway, the sense of camaraderie and collaboration is felt throughout, we all enjoy hanging out with each other and doing stuff together, and this show came together because artists encouraged their friends to join the fun,” said Ms. Siksek.
There is artwork from members of the Manitoulin Fine Arts Association, Sudbury Art Club, the Manitoulin Island Artists Guild, La Cloche and plein air artists.
“Art shows are usually quite serious and stressful for the artists, we wanted to do something that was fun and stress-free,” said Ms. Alkenbrack. “Unfortunately, the artists will tell you that this was certainly not an easy challenge. But they all handled it like pros.”
Artist Kimyly Mayer said, “there were levels to this challenge. It was the planning that was difficult, outlining three concepts and having to go with one.”
Artist Cliff Jewell said it wasn’t that difficult in execution. “It was in the thinking of what to create. I barely use black in any of my paintings, so this was different.”
Mr. Patterson said that he is pleased that the artist community responded with such enthusiasm. He can’t wait for visitors to enjoy the show. “Come on out and get into the art of it. And tell at least a dozen friends.”
The show will run until July 10 at Studio 6 in the Gore Bay Harbour Centre.
