Charlottetown's Art in the Open chooses showcase artists

Eleven artists from Atlantic Canada have been selected to showcase their work at the 6th annual Art in the Open festival in Charlottetown this August.

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Since it began in 2011, Art in the Open has become a popular event, drawing crowds on foot to venues around the city including indoors and outdoors at the Confederation Centre, Victoria Row, Rochford Square, Connaught Square and Victoria Park.

It's a magical evening for all to enjoy contemporary art together. Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee

"Our festival is having an impact not only on the development of Island artists but on emerging professionals across the country," said co-curator Becka Viau in a written release Tuesday.

Artists were encouraged to submit interesting and innovative projects that could be installed and dismantled within 24 hours, explained Viau, adding that more than 30 artists applied.

'Needed opportunity'

"We are part of a contemporary art festival circuit that is providing a unique but needed opportunity for artists to experiment," she added.

The submissions were assessed by a jury according to artistic merit, feasibility and a record of past exhibitions.

"We are thrilled about the quality and the diversity of the artists that will be participating in this year's festival," said co-curator Pan Wendt.

The list of artists includes:

• P.E.I. multimedia artist Simon White, interactive video and sound installation
• Camila Salcedo and Russell Louder of P.E.I.,performance piece Why Buy the Milk When You Can Get the Cow for Free?
• Anastasia Wansborough of Montreal, performance piece on fragility and vulnerability
• Jamie Shannon of Ontario and Salvatore Salamone of California, costume exhibit
• Tanya Davis of P.E.I./N.S., performance piece Communion
• Norma Jean MacLean of P.E.I., glow-in-the-dark installation Grid, in water off Victoria Park
• Sandi Hartling and Max Knechtel of P.E.I., Observe: A Search for Perspective
• JenDemitorof P.E.I.,freestanding structure Oculus, outside at Confederation Centre

'Magical evening'

"Art in the Open is one of the highlights of summer in the capital city," said Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee in the release.

"This celebration of art and culture draws in tremendous talent and allows Island artists to showcase their work in a non-traditional setting. It exposes citizens and visitors alike to a wide variety of mediums and work from regional artists. It's a magical evening for all to enjoy contemporary art together."

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