Show illustrates 'breadth of feeling for ocean'

Marine Art Show and Sale on at Renovators through June 25

By Rick Fralick, Gazette Staff

Natural Gallery - Renovators in Picton is the site of this year's Marine Art Show which runs until June 25. This 23rd Annual Exhibition of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists has an amazing diversity of beautiful marine paintings. Call 613-476-1177 for more information.

You needn't own a boat to get a feel for being out on the water at this time of the year.

That's because the annual Marine Art Show and Sale is on now in the natural gallery space that occupies the second floor of Renovators in Picton.

The show is open daily through June 25 and features 56 works by 17 different artists, nine of whom are already members of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists, plus eight invited artists.

This is the 23 annual exhibition of the CSMA and the fourth to be held in Picton.

"This year we've had more new artists that the jury invited to exhibit, than in any previous year," said Paul Adamthwaite of Picton, who chairs the CSMA. "I'm guessing that half will be elected to the society this year.

"The quality this year is just superb," he enthused. "The artists have a breadth of feeling for the ocean and there's a lot of new expression.

"The old idea of the 'ship's portrait' is still there, but the artists are looking for novel ways to portray it."

The show opened June 9, and by that evening, three works had already been sold.

This is also the first year, according to Adamthwaite, that they have had more works than can be hung at any one time in the ample space available. Thus, a number of works will rotate during the show, so marine art aficionados will have to visit more than once to see everything.

"We've never had such freedom of choice," said Adamthwaite, who also praised Betty Ann Anderson, a director of the CSMA, whose efforts ensure that the show takes place every year.

The artists come from across Canada, but one of the exhibiting CSMA members is Mark Boden of Belleville and one of the invited artists is Sherry Pringle of Napanee.

The exhibition is presented by the Archives and Collections Society of Picton. More information is available by calling 613-476-1177.