September 2024 Newletter

September is in full swing, and our community is bustling with new initiatives, creative endeavours, and the harvest from our beautiful region's gardens and orchards. As we enjoy the season’s bounty, it’s a perfect time to start thinking about fresh ideas and projects to carry us through the quieter winter months.

At the Pearl, we’re offering plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, whether by participating in a workshop, joining a members’ show, or working on a piece for one of our themed exhibitions. Each exhibit not only allows you to showcase your work but also offers insights into the creative processes of other artists. Viewing the diverse styles and techniques on display can inspire new ideas and provide fresh perspectives for your own artistic journey.

First up is our exciting new event: the *Giftables* pop-up holiday market! As mentioned last month, the form for submitting work will be live on our website starting September 15th and will remain open until October 15th. This gives everyone ample time to create small art pieces or fine crafts to submit for the show. [Giftables Application Form]

However, you might want to get started soon, as on October 1st we’ll also be opening applications for the four open juried spots in 2025 and our first concept show of the year. If this is your first time submitting for a juried spot, you can find some helpful suggestions here: [Submission Tips].

As in 2024, the open juried spots will be awarded to individuals or groups who present a compelling proposal that showcases a unique perspective or highlights a cohesive body of work. The dates for the open juried spots are as follows:

1. February 4 – March 1  
2. April 29 – May 24  
3. July 22 – August 16  
4. October 14 – November 8

Our first exhibition of 2025 will be a juried concept show titled *Lenses & Layers: Exploring Photography and Digital Art*. This show invites artists to explore how photography and digital art can push creative boundaries and offer new perspectives. The submission window for this first concept show and all the open juried spots of 2025 will be from October 1st to November 5th, with selections announced by November 29th. More information will be sent out in the coming weeks.

All of these initiatives take time and careful planning to bring to life. We’re fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who make it all possible, but we can always use more helping hands. The beauty of collaboration is that the collective creativity of a group is always greater than that of a single person.

If you're interested in helping with the *Giftables* pop-up market, please reach out to Susan Sarada at susan@pearlellisgallery.ca. For those who would like to volunteer as a gallery host, please contact Elaine Smith at elaine@pearlellisgallery.ca.

As we move into the fall season, we look forward to the many opportunities ahead and hope to see you at the gallery—whether as an artist, a volunteer, or a visitor. Let’s make this season one filled with creativity and connection.

Best regards,  
Teresa Kachanoski  
Pearl Ellis Gallery President