AMHERST - Calling all art lovers - it's time to paint the blues.
Once again, local artists on both sides of the provincial border will feature some of their artwork this weekend at Painting the Blues.
Sponsored by Tantramar Area Artists, the event will follow the format as of last year, with live painting, live music and a live auction on-site.
"People really enjoyed the format last year," said Barb King, one of more than a dozen artists to feature their work at Painting the Blues. "They were able to walk around and look at the artwork. They would find something they liked, look at it for a few minutes and leave, then come back and look some more.
"It was a very relaxing atmosphere."
The event begins at 7 p.m. at Tantramar Theatre on Saturday, running until 10. Roughly 15 artists will be on hand to show off their work, with mediums such as watercolours, acrylics, oils, and photographs, as well as some drawings and ink.
Some of the artists will be painting or drawing during the event.
"Visitors can talk to any of the artists there and if they want something special, the artist can do it on commission," said Diana McIsaac, who will be back this year upon requests from the public.
Painter and photographer Gil Collicott says the event is a way for the everyone to support the arts in general, "and raise some money to support art students," he said.
The non-profit art association supports students by giving out bursaries, while supporting the SAA as well.
"Many of our members are from Amherst and area, and many are also members of the SAA," added Collicott. "We're not just one little area, but we're too small of an area to be independent."
The auction will feature the works submitted by artists at Painting the Blues, and Mark MacMillan and His Band will perform the live music.
rtetanish@amherstdaily.com
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