The Westlock Art Club’s annual spring sale and exhibition was a success.
The gallery exhibited work from roughly 22 club artists, and about 19 of Betty Wysosky’s students, at the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre on April 26-27. It raised roughly $1,000 from sales, door prizes, donations and a silent auction.
“We sold five paintings, a whole bunch of cards and prints and a figurine,” said club treasurer and artist Kathy Nelson.
“We made about $1,000 and it’s a relatively accurate number. The artists get some of the money and pay a small commission to the art club.”
However, only a portion of the money goes into the club’s bank account.
A portion is paid to the artist and while part of the cash goes back into the club’s account to help finance the exhibition and the cover cost of rent.
In fact, Nelson said the club is looking into expanding their hours of operations beyond Friday afternoons, although nothing has been set in stone.
The two-day event featured an exhibition and sale of oil and acrylic paintings, sculptures and watercolours from the club along with some children’s art work. The children’s artwork has appeared in the annual exhibition on and off over the course of the years, but this year Wysosky couldn’t resist submitting her students’ work.
“I love it and I love the kids,” Wysosky said. “Look at what the kids are doing, it’s amazing.”
She added it was the first time more than half of her students had work, although this exhibition was particularly rewarding.
“One little girl didn’t even know I put her picture in,” Wysosky said. “She came and stood there, and went, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s my picture’ and then she turned and around and went, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s Betty’ and gave me a hug.
“It was cute and her picture won the people’s choice award. She’s a sweetie and it’s only her first year.”
