The Huntsville Art Society (HAS) is getting creative with ways to showcase their art while restrictions due to COVID-19 are still in place: they will be hosting a pop-up art show, Surviving Cabin Fever, at the Morgan House B&B on August 1.
The show will be hosted outside and offer spectators a glimpse into what inspired the society’s members during the past four months.
Pam Carnochan, owner of the Morgan House B&B for over 25 years and a fibre artist, is the co-chair of the Huntsville Art Society.
“The [HAS] membership has been challenged with having very few outlets to show their work and when artists are locked down they tend to be very reflective of what’s happening in society,” said Carnochan. “We tend to be more reclusive and create commentary about what’s happening in both the broader world and our own world.”
Morgan House B&B has an outdoor space, with a remodelled barn, that they have used for events such as micro-weddings and anniversary parties in the past. As the space is hers, Carnochan says this will allow them to make sure social distancing is in place and traffic is controlled in order to create a safe environment for both artists and patrons.
“A member show is always one of the most exciting because you never know what work will be submitted and what different styles you’ll see,” she said. “I thought this was a perfect opportunity to see what our local artists were creating and give them a space to showcase their voices.”
The Artists of the Limberlost Summer Studio Tour and the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour, one of the biggest opportunities of the year for artists to sell their work, were both cancelled due to COVID.
HAS has more than 100 active members and Surviving Cabin Fever was a call to all to showcase any type of art they want to.
The location and set-up will allow the members to showcase 3D art as well as wood pieces, sculptures, pottery, and more.
The call is still out for HAS members who want to submit. Email [email protected] or Carnochan directly at [email protected].
The event will be free to patrons as the society feels strongly about making art available to everyone.
“This is a chance to connect with art in an outdoor space, which is already beautiful in itself, and connect first hand after we have all spent so much time on screens during this season of life,” said Carnochan. “It’ll be great to see something in person.”
Surviving Cabin Fever will be at Morgan House B&B, 83 Morgan’s Road, on Saturday, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Many thanks to the HAS for providing this opportunity for us art lovers to experience it live. Several artists have been generous enough to e-mail me their current work during the pandemic: I thank them, and it’s always refreshing. But to truly capture the size and the “command” of a piece, you need to see it up close and personal.
Special thanks are also due to Pam and Hondo for making their unique artspace available.