Interconnectedness
(L-R) Artists Jayal Chung and Michel Dumont, Photo by Keegan Richard
DefSup Regional Juried Exhibition Returns
By Kris Ketonen
An annual exhibit at Definitely Superior Art Gallery aims to explore the connection between all things through an artistic lens.
The 36th annual regional juried exhibition Interconnectedness officially opened last month, and features works from artists across the region “concentrating on the idea, or the concept, theme, of interconnectedness,” says David Karasiewicz, DefSup’s executive and artistic director.
Installation view, photo courtesy of Definitely Superior Art Gallery
“We always have a theme,” he says. “We try to make it as open as possible [...] and also, open to, of course, all the genres of art. That’s what we really want to see—what’s going on out there, who’s doing what, and how they’re doing it.”
This year’s exhibition received 135 submissions from regional artists, Karasiewicz says, with 65 artists selected to be part of the exhibition. “It worked out really well. Everyone has such a different idea of the concept and what they’re trying to present.”
The works, Karasiewicz says, will go through three rounds of judging. “We’ve partnered with [Vox Popular Media Arts Festival], so we’re providing with them the visual arts aspect to the film festival,” he says. “But this added more opportunity for artists, because there was more funding coming from Vox Popular.”
The show includes a cross-section of emerging and established artists. “Normally, we would have maybe 40 artists,” Karasiewicz says, adding all artists who are part of the juried exhibition are being paid.
Photo by Keegan Richard
“The last round is always the most difficult,” Karasiewicz says of the judging process. “You’re actually eliminating really good art. [...] We have a high level in Northwestern Ontario and Thunder Bay of the contemporary arts.”
And doing well in the exhibition can really help an artist’s career, says Renee Terpstra, DefSup’s development administrator. “You have an artist’s CV, so that’s a record of everything you’ve attained,” she says. “Say if you were to apply to another gallery in the city, or in other cities, or in other countries, they can see your record of what you've done, and where you’ve presented. It shows the depth of your creation over time, and what your path is as an artist. Every artist has a unique path, based on what they’re interested in, and their medium.”
(L–R) Robin Ranger and Mario Potestio performing at Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s grand opening of Interconnectedness, photo by Keegan Richard
The 36th annual regional juried exhibition runs at Definitely Superior Art Gallery, located on Cumberland Street, until January 11. However, Terpstra notes, the gallery will be running at reduced hours during the Christmas holidays, so people are encouraged to call and check when the gallery is open if they plan to visit then.
For more information, visit definitelysuperior.com.