AILA SCHNITZLER.
BURKS FALLS – Indulge in a little culture this month.
The Northern Ontario Art Association (NOAA) hosted its 55th annual juried exhibition last September. Since that time, 40 pieces of art created by residents in Northern Ontario have been touring the province.
For the month of June, those pieces are on display in Burk’s Falls.
Formed in 1949, the NOAA is a group of fourteen independent art clubs, representing more than 350 artists, spread across the vast geographical area of Northern Ontario.
The group carries the specific goal of furthering art education within remote northern communities, as well as promoting appreciation of their original artwork.
Until June 28, members of the public are encouraged to visit The Wooden Roo during regular business hours to take in all of the creative pieces on display.
“This year, the two jurors chose mostly representational art,” explained NOAA representative and Burk’s Falls and Area Art Club member Sharon Stock Feren. “There are only about two abstract pieces in the whole show. I’ve never seen that before.”
According to Stock Feren, the judges have quite a job on their hands choosing the 40 pieces that will tour for the year out of more than 350 submissions.
“We only have one artist from the Burk’s Falls club that made it in this year, Aila Schnitzler,” said Stock Feren. “We never know how many of us will get in, but it’s always an excellent show.”
The art submitted included anything that can be hung on a wall, such as prints, paintings and collages.
Stock Feren said the club is grateful to have the space at The Wooden Roo made available to set up the delicate pieces, which have to be shipped in crates from location to location.
“They have a wonderful display area for our work,” she said. “It’s a really nice store.”
Stock Feren encourages anyone in the area to stop by for a peek at some of the best art the north has to offer. Admission is free of charge.
“It won’t cost you anything … Unless you shop while you’re there,” she laughed.
The Wooden Roo is located at 311 Ontario St.