Great turnout for Headwaters Arts Fall Festival opening night gala

September 21, 2023 · 0 Comments

BY ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Local artists were celebrated at a recent event in Alton.

On September 14, Headwaters Arts held an opening night gala for its 27th annual Fall Festival, Juried Art Show and Sale.

All evening at the Alton Mill Arts Centre, guests enjoyed food, drinks, live music, and 80 pieces of art that were unveiled for the first time.

The first, second, and third prize winners of the Juried Art Show were announced during the gala.

Susan Powell, Head of Marketing for the non-profit Headwaters Arts, said in 2023 no specific theme was put on the show, so as to give artists maximum freedom of expression.

Powell said the opening night gala was a success thanks to the hard work of Headwaters Arts volunteers, board members and staff.

Lynne Mack was the third prize winner at the show for her crocheted piece called “Circular Chaos”.

She said she’s been creating art as long as she can remember, dabbling in various mediums over the years. Mack said knitting and crochet ended up as her favourites; she loves how portable they are.

Mack said “Circular Chaos” consists of 23,500 stitches and took her between two and three months to make.

She said she loves coming to the Alton Mill Arts Centre as everyone is very friendly and it’s a beautiful space. Mack said she was not expecting to win an award at the opening night gala and was pleasantly surprised when she found out she did.

Sherry Park was the second prize winner at the opening night gala, with her oil painting titled “Driving Toward the Sunrise”.

“I was surprised and happy,” said Park of learning she’d won second prize.

Park said she loves painting in a realistic style.

There are still more events to come in the Headwaters Arts Fall Festival.

On September 22, The Campfire Poets will play a concert in the Annex Courtyard at the Alton Mill Arts Centre.

On September 24, again in the Annex Courtyard, there will be an author’s afternoon with readings and discussion with local authors.

Tickets for these two events are $35 and are available online at headwatersarts.org.