Art emporium a boost for St. Mark’s church

The rectory of St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake will be a place to worship the talents of local artists this weekend.

Friday to Sunday, an art emporium will display more than 80 pieces of art, including oils, acrylics, lithography, photography and costume sketches from the Shaw Festival.

One of many events the church hosts throughout the year, the art sale will be a fundraiser for heritage buildings on the 225-year-old site, along with the work the parish does in the community.

Every piece has been donated by individual artists and estates and has been professionally curated and priced, with work starting at $25 and topping $1,000.

Not to be confused with the annual festive art show at the church before Christmas, this is a brand-new event, which follows a cherry festival the church hosted in July.

At the emporium on Labour Day weekend, work will be shown in the style of the Royal Academy in London, England, says Don MacLeod, one of its organizers.

“The walls are just covered in art from ceiling to floor,” he said in a recent interview. “It’s going to be a very interesting event.”

The show runs 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with light summer refreshments being served.

The church is at 41 Byron St.