The Waterfront Galley is showing Connections, a show that features a variety of local artists
Connection features piece that cover emotional connections to animals or humans, network connections, personal connections, strategic connections, and more. All of the art featured in the show is made by local artists who are Waterfront Gallery members.
Themes are chosen by the membership a year in advance. The members then vote on which topics they’d like to create work for, and the top ten themes are chosen for shows. Gallery curator Leona Petrak says this helps the artists develop.
“We always encourage our artists to work, to paint, and to show their new stuff,” Petrak said.
Opening night was Saturday June 1. Waterfront Gallery social media specialist Francesca Rosales gave a talk on how artists can utilize social media to showcase their art to a wider audience. Her presentation tied in well with the theme of the show, and also highlighted the gallery’s online presence.
“We have a virtual gallery that accompanies every show,” Petrak said. “I have two pieces in the show, so I take photographs and send them to our web person, she puts them up on the virtual gallery, then they’ll stay up there for three months.”
The Waterfront Gallery has been hosting monthly members shows since 2008. Showings usually feature a speaker, and the shows stay open for three weeks. The popularity of the shows has grown, but the gallery makes sure the shows are not competitive.
“Our whole mandate is to stop competitiveness, to encourage emerging artists, practicing artists, and professional artists, and say ‘this is your gallery’. If you have work to show, bring it out, and we’ll show it,” Petrak said.
Members are allowed to bring up to three pieces, or 20 square-feet for their work due to limited wall space. Despite the space limitations, the gallery can display over 80-100 pieces of art.
Connections will be shown in the Waterfront Gallery until June 21. Afterwards it will be shown in the online for three months.