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Gilby Hall hosts Medicine River artists

Over 14 artists and three photographers joined together to celebrate the beauty of the Medicine River.
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Sue McCloy from Australia paints her piece sitting near the Medicine River.

Over 14 artists and three photographers joined together to celebrate the beauty of the Medicine River.

At Gilby Hall, located Noutheast of Eckville, the Medicine River Watershed Society opened its doors after artists and photgraphers spent the day capturing the beauty of the river at five different locations. Following this, over 50 community members joined the artists for a barbecue dinner and meet and greet to celebrate the artworks created.

The second annual event was intended to “help people appreciate the beauty of the watershed and help people understand that it does need our protection,” according to organizer Derryn Yeomans.

“The artists were grateful for the hospitality and everyone was grateful to see the river at its best,” she said. “It was very good and all in all we were very pleased.”

The event was headlined by feature artist and former Red Deer College Art Instructor Dave Moore, who showcased 14 of his own pieces of the Medicine River during the event that he has been working on since he moved to Benalto in 1994.

“I picked a dozen different sites and photographed them in different seasons and then painted them,” Moore said. “So when Derryn [Yeomans] asked me to be the feature artist I said ‘I have lots of Medicine River paintings and I would be happy too’.”

Moore understands very well the importance of protecting this river after many years of capturing its beauty in multiple seasons.

“I think its wonderful because you are combining the directive and energy of the Medicine River Watershed Society an artistic side that shows this beautiful little river,” he said. “It’s about letting the public know that the river they may drive by and ignore really has something to offer.”

The dinner, which was made by Medicine River Watershed volunteers, was showcased with President August Liivam thanking everyone who attended and stressed the importance of protecting and cherishing the Medicine River.

Yeomans was thankful for the way the day turned out.

Yeomans and the watershed society is looking forward to next year with optimism, however the event as not been confirmed as of publication.

She added that “we really appreciate the artists coming out and spending their day and time. We are grateful for Mother Natures cooperation and we had a sunny day right up until when the last artist came in so we were very lucky.”

reporter@sylvanlakenews.com