By Eraina Hooyer
Staff Reporter
The artistic side of the Ponoka Stampede will be showcased on June 28, 29, 30 and July 1 at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex.
Approximately 35 artists from Saskatchewan, Bristish Columbia and Alberta including some local Ponoka artists will be publicly showing their art at the 16th annual art show and sale.
Inge Sybrandi is one of the local artists that will be displaying her work and she enjoys being at the art show and taking it all in.
“It’s kind of like a small town effort,” said Sybrandi. “I really enjoy the community aspect of it and meeting new people with the same interests, it’s a good and laid back atmosphere.”
Sybrandi’s forte is pencil art and she focuses on themes that depict western art and represents Alberta traditions.
Sybrandi believes that the art show brings a different dynamic to the Ponoka Stampede and offers the public many different kinds of artwork to enjoy.
“It just makes it more rounded,” she said. “There are a lot of different aspects to rodeo and having this art show makes for more people wanting to come by. There’s a lot of diversity, it’s not just paintings or pencil art, there are a lot of different things.”
The art show boasts of wood carvings, jewelry, silver smithing, pottery, pastels, paintings, and more. New to this year is an artist that sells frames made from the wood of old barns.
Lewis Reid, organizer of the art show, believes that the show is another area that Stampede goers can come and explore while they are in Ponoka.
“It gets a little bigger each year,” said Lewis. “It’s another venue, we are the busiest when the performances aren’t on. It’s a great thing to do and people really enjoy it.”
The public will have the opportunity to meet local artists, enjoy art and find some treasures.
The show is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and admission is free.