15th edition of Magog’s Estivarts
Over the weekend, 36 artists from near and far will exhibit their paintings and sculptures and compete for prizes at Magog’s 15th annual Estivarts .
According to organizers, the event is a golden opportunity to see the works of some of the region’s most talented artists.
This year’s honourary president is Townships painter Marie-claire Plante.
Having participated at Estivarts many times, Plante has watched the event evolve over the years.
“I’ve shown at the Estivarts for 6 or 7 years,” she said. “It has grown a lot over the past two or three years, going from a few hundred attendees to 1,300 or 1,500. The more it goes on, the bigger and more popular it gets.”
According to Plante, the 36 invited artists are professionals screened by a selection committee. The skilled painters and sculptors will be competing for prizes, she added.
“We have local artists and some others coming in from a little bit everywhere. We always prioritize our local talent, but always leave room for new faces. It brings novelty,” she explained. “For example, we have two girls coming in from Montreal. They are fabulous painters; real professionals.”
“There are three judges. All artists exhibiting will compete for some cash prizes,” said Plante. “There’s a $250 jury award, a special mention prize of $100, and for the 15th edition there will be special prizes. There is a $300 prize from Desjardins and a solo exhibition to be won by the best artist.”
Estivarts will take place August 5 and 6. According to Plante, there will be a symposium outside, where 26 artists will display their work and chat with visitors. An additional 12 artists will be in the Salle Ovila-bergeron at the Magog community centre. A collective exhibit will be held on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Centre d’art Visuel, where the winners of the prizes will be announced.
Live music has been added to this year’s event.
“It’s new this year,” said Plante. “There will be musical performances from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., two in the morning and two in the afternoon. There will be a one-man band and wine and cheese and snacks too.”
Plante will be showing her work alongside the other artists. She has many other exhibits lined up for the year as well, going to Georgeville, Montreal, St-flore, Danville and Brossard. Besides being an artist, from 2015 to 2016, Plante had been president of the Comité d’action Culturel de Magog, a non-profit volunteer based organization that works to make local artists shine.
“I’ve been painting for 25 years, it’s my great passion. It’s a great pleasure for me to be the honorary president of Estivarts,” Plante commented. “It’s a wonderful show of recognition for my work and what I’ve done with the committee. I always try to promote and revitalize the arts. I’m very passionate and dynamic, and I think people like that. If it can help the world of visual arts, then all the better. The Estivarts is always great fun. It’s not overwhelming. People have time to talk and enjoy the art.”