Art association art show is this weekend

Photographer Craig Edwards, owner of the new Edwards Studio in Big Sandy, will be the special guest artist at this year's Havre Art Association Show and sale.

The show will be held this weekend at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church of 5th Avenue.

Edwards will be featured in a special display area with his work, and he will be speaking about his technique and inspiration at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Association members and other area artists have been planning their display areas, selecting their silent auction pieces, baking cookies and are putting the finishing touches on their artwork for the show.

The public will be encouraged to vote for the People's Choice Awards from selections located in the lobby where the artists' interpretation of this year's theme, "Name That Tune," will be displayed.

Each piece is created as a challenge for the artist in keeping with this year's theme idea, and the artist's identity is kept a secret until the winners are announced.

A silent auction will also be held in the showroom, with a variety of different pieces each day for the public to bid on.

This show is the one of the largest and most respected fine art shows in the region, said association member Becky Ross.

Many of the participants have been accepted into juried shows including the Western Heritage Show, C. M Russell Art Auction, the national Montana Watercolor Society Watermedia Show, as well as many other quality shows in and out of state that require jury selection in order to participate, she said.

Many styles and a variety of work in pottery, handmade paper, fabric paintings, batik, oil, watercolor, pen and ink, pastel, pencil, wire sculpture, wood carving, bronze sculpture and more will be available for viewing and purchase.

Many artists will be working in their display booths and invite visitors to stop by and see how it is done. All work entered into the show will be newer work.

Ross said this is the public's chance to meet artists in person and to see them do their work while having a cookie and a cup of coffee.

She said this is designed to be a family event. The building is handicapped accessible, and there is no charge.