The Moose Jaw Art Guild held its second Artist-to-Artist social this past Saturday at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery.
“We started this last year in order to meet with people in the community who are thinking of joining the guild or who want their work to be seen by other people, but are too shy,” said Jean Bell, a member of the guild. “It’s a very unintimidating way for them to get to know the guild.”
“It gives us an opportunity to meet some of the people who do art,” added Sherry Wray, president of the guild. “And to let them know that we’re here and here to support them.”
Last year, the social brought in approximately ten people, three of whom became members of the guild, Bell said.
The guild currently has 44 members from Moose Jaw and other communities, including Buffalo Pound, Central View, and Elbow.
“We even have a few people who have interest in Saskatoon who are thinking of coming and joining, and some in Regina,” said Wray.
The guild exists to promote artists and their activities and to provide creative inspiration, Wray said.
But the guild isn’t just for people who work in the fine arts, notes Bell.
“The guild used to be just for fine art, which is basically paintings and sketchings. But a number of years ago, we opened it up to any form of art,” she said. “Any artist working in any medium or genre of art is more than welcome to join, and our members range in skill, so people shouldn’t feel intimidated.”
“For me, it’s an incentive to work,” added member Bobbie Booth. “You’re around people who are working all the time, and everybody is doing something different. It’s inspirational.”
