With the judgements determined, the votes tabulated and most of the artists in attendance, the 29th Annual Art in the County (AITC) organizing committee  announced its 2022 award winners at a small ceremony Thursday in the lower level of The Armoury 

Presented by the Prince Edward County Arts Council (PECAC) and sponsored by Elizabeth Crombie Royal Lepage, AITC brings together the largest amount of artwork by local artists. The exhibit is open to members of PECAC who are residents or ratepayers of Prince Edward County. Qualifying artists were invited to enter up to two original works of art in any media and the committee was delighted to receive 160 submissions by 95 artists.

@ the Regent Theatre by Stewart Jones

“I am overjoyed to see the artwork displayed in-person once again,” Committee Co-chair Amy Shubert expressed. “The artistic community has been eagerly anticipating this day for two years. We are very excited for residents and visitors to view the incredible talent of local artists, curated so beautifully by Maison Depoivre Gallery.” 

Since 1993, AITC has grown in scope and stature to become Eastern Ontario’s premier juried art exhibition, showcasing a diverse range of quality works of art by Prince Edward County artists and artisans. 

“We are very fortunate to live in a vibrant creative community,” said Committee Co-chair Christophe Doussot, “and I am thrilled and grateful to be involved in such a special event that plays a key role in the promotion of so many local artists. This year’s show is definitely a must-see for all art-lovers.” 

The three jurors, who were solely responsible for jurying this year’s exhibition, selected 102 works of art by 74 artists. 

The 2022 Jurors included:

• Gordon Shadrach, Visual Artist (Toronto) 
• Felicity Somerset, Fine Art Photographer (Toronto) 
• Debra Vincent, Mixed Media Artist (Tyendinaga) 

The jurors were also responsible for selecting 5 Jurors’ Choice Awards, 5 Honourable Mentions, the Maison Depoivre Award, and the inaugural Carson Arthur Award.

Relic? by Pauline Dinham.

Honourable Mentions

• Pauline Dinham – Relic? – Mulberry paper, Merino wool, Sumi ink
• Pam Mayhew – Late Afternoon Glow – Oil on birch panel
• Florence Chik-Lau – Over the Edge – Acrylic on canvas
• Leslie Fruman – Wall Flower – Ceramic & stone
• Vicki Bradley – Taking Flight – Weaving

Jurors’ Choice Award Winners

• Stewart Jones – @ The Regent Theatre – Oil on canvas
• Laura Dick – Heartbreaker – Oil on canvas
• Paul Verrall – Snowy Owl on the Prowl – Spanish Alabaster
• Bill Stearman – I can’t keep quiet. For anyone. Not anymore. – Quilt
• Josh Connell – Holding On – Charcoal

Maison Depoivre Award

• Josh Connell – Paradise Lost – Charcoal

Carson Arthur Award

• Jason Pettit – Winter Marsh – Photography

Awards have a total cash value of $2,000 thanks to the support of the following businesses: 2gallery, Angeline’s Inn, Arts on Main Gallery, Carson Arthur, Family Dentistry @ Picton, Gilbert & Lighthall Marketplace, Kingston Frameworks, Picton Home Hardware, Printcraft, and The Local Store.

The show/sale is open Daily from until July 4 and all pieces are available for purchase.

Heartbreaker by Laura Dick

“Art feeds our souls and there has always been an eye for beautiful things in The County,” Crombie, a long time supporter of the arts in Prince Edward County. “It certainly is present in the architecture which is extraordinary and in the land and water that surrounds us and the people. I feel that artists have been drawn here over the years because they especially get the ‘feel good’ sensation which exists here. Art is not what you see but what you make others see. The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of. Art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life. Creativity takes a lot of courage so I want to thank the artists who submitted work and was not selected, and encourage them to keep creating and to plan to put their work in again next year. But congratulations to all the artists whose works were chosen this year, enjoy your success, the show is fabulous!”

Also awarded last week was the Community Arts Builder Award, which comes with a $250 monetary gift.

Community Arts Builder Award

• Sarah Moran

“It dawned on me that this award which is really important because it recognizes how essential the arts are to making meaning in our lives and to strengthening community which  in turn is essential to our sense of belonging and really although it is being given to me today, its really for all of you because your the ones who help make this happen,” Moran said. “I have to say I am deeply grateful from the bottom of my heart that every time I’ve come to so many of you, you said yes, so it doesn’t happen without everybody’s help.”

For more information about Art in the County please visit visit https://artinthecounty.com/