Moose Jaw Art Guild taking over MJMAG lobby with annual exhibition

Despite an unusual year full of roadblocks, the Moose Jaw Art Guild is getting ready to once again debut a new collection of artwork for the annual fall exhibition.

Titled Moose Jaw Art Guild: Visions 2020, the show will feature 13 local artists and around 20 pieces of artwork displayed in the lobby of the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, for the 53rd year in a row since the MJMAG settled into its building.

“The art gallery building was built for the Centennial as a cultural centre and the city asked the guild for input on what they would like to see, and ever since [the MJMAG] has invited the Art Guild to celebrate an annual show,” said Art Guild president Karen Walpole. “And it’s just wonderful.”

Each piece in this year’s show represents a different interpretation of the theme, “visions,” which Walpole said was chosen back in February but ended up fitting quite well with how this year has progressed.

“We chose it because it was the start of a new decade, and one person mentioned, ‘What can we foresee in the year 2020?’ Well, nobody foresaw this, but it is a good theme for this year, with what’s happened,” said Walpole. “Some of the [artwork] statements I’ve seen from the artists mention the world has changed so much from COVID-19, there’s so much uncertainty, so many rules and regulations, and I think that is some of the things they were working to getting that idea across in their artwork.”

Visions 2020 will open on Nov. 27 and remain on display until Jan. 10 for in-person visitors at the MJMAG. After the opening, the art gallery will be posting all of the artwork on its website to allow patrons to take a virtual tour of the exhibition as well.

The Moose Jaw Art Guild has been around for over 90 years, bringing together artists in the community to work on their pieces, learn new techniques and discuss art together. 

Members made the tough decision to suspend their monthly meetings earlier this year due to the pandemic, so being able to host their annual exhibition is both exciting and a great relief.

“We weren’t sure whether we’d be able to do it or not, so when we found out we could we were all excited to finally be back doing something that is normal for us,” said Walpole. “I think it’s just great, to just be able to still keep our name out there and to let people know we’re still doing what we do.”

The annual show in November is also a Guild tradition, said Walpole, one that members are happy to keep alive after over 50 years.

“I think it means a lot, to just keep that tradition happening here in Moose Jaw, and it would be sensational if we could make it to 100 years [as a Guild],” said Walpole.

For more information about Moose Jaw Art Guild: Visions 2020 visit the MJMAG website. To keep up with the Moose Jaw Art Guild or reach out to become a member, check their Facebook page or website.