The Cochrane Art Club celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2009. This art club operates with a unique passion and no doubt that is why it has been in such successful existence for all these years.
The group organized in a home with a handful of inspired people and one accredited artist that would take on the job of nuturing. With growing interest, they progressed to a school library and then expanded to a gym for their weekly meetings.
That wasn't enough for this energetic group. Their desire to learn more and exercise their skills prompted them to rent the Beaupre Community Center, a small rural gathering place that was once a country school. Once a month for a three day period - it's all art. They bring their lunches, work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., help one another, offer critique, and paint, paint, paint. This is where most of the work comes from for their annual show and sale. At least twice a year they bring in a professional instructor in various medioums. This definitely keeps the enthusiasm up.
Within the present group of members, we have artists ranging from their 20's to 80's. Recently one of our members, Glen Boles, was honored by the American Alpine Club as North America's most distinguised mountain artist. Members of our club have been awarded many different awards, but this is a very special one.
Preparation for the sale, which is always the first weekend in May, involves all the members who work diligently to produce one of the finest art shows in southern Alberta. Initially the show was held in a school gym with the one hundred and fify fully framed new original works lining the walls. Tables and chairs were set in the middle so the guests could not only enjoy the artwork surrounding them but visit with friends over refreshments, fruit breads, and homemade squares. Today the show is held at the Spray Lakes Family Sports Centre and they share this fabulous facility with a trade fair organized by the Chamber of Commerce. A restaurant is available for food and refreshments.
The art show became an annual event in Cochrane and people would stand in line for an hour prior to the opening in order to secure their selection. Over the two day period, the Cochrane Art Club's show and sale has come to host up to twenty-five hundred visitors.
Eventually, with such a demand on the artwork, the organization moved to having a silent auction for the first couple of hours. That alleviated the initial rush and gave everyone a fair chance to bid on their choices starting with a pre-established opening price. Following the silent auction, the sale would resume at the core price on the remaining paintings. It is important to the club that all paintings remain hung until closure Sunday night so that whenever a visitor arrives they know they can view all the artwork, follow the progress of the artists and visit with friends.
