Amity and the Alchemy of Water winning entry for Maritime Festival G + B Exhibition at Vancouver Arts Centre

An exhibition of nearly 50 artists has returned to Albany for the 2024 Maritime Festival with a smorgasbord of crafts on display at the Vancouver Arts Centre. The G + B Exhibition features artworks ranging from paintings and sculptures to stained glass and photographs, all taking inspiration from the maritime theme of “all things green and blue”. The exhibition awarded best overall entry to artist Tracey Margetts for her work Amity and the Alchemy of Water, which depicts Margetts’ desire for the conservation of the ocean and its marine life. The artwork mixes multiple mediums, including pages from a 1950s encyclopedia on shipping and maritime history, and combines a water goddess with the Brig Amity. “Originally I wanted to make up the figurehead of a ship or a sea goddess, or do wearable art,” she said. “I wanted to do the water goddess and then Amity of course because it’s part of Albany’s history, and Amity means harmony and living together in peace, and I wanted to transpire that into the painting where you’ve got the whale, boats, and human nature. “She’s holding the water close to her heart with her hands.” Kelp Queen by Nicci Daniele and Suzanne Moore’s Predictably Unpredictable were highly commended for the exhibition. City of Albany visual arts officer and exhibition curator Indra Geidans said it was exciting to highlight the exceptional talent and creativity of local artists. “With a vibrant theme and a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, and weaving, this year’s exhibition is another outstanding showcase of local talent,” she said. “The exhibition is not only for the artists and the audience but also offers art lovers and collectors a fantastic opportunity to expand their collections. “The G + B Exhibition is a highly anticipated exhibition for the Great Southern art community, and the engaged audience that attends every year to celebrate and appreciate the region’s diverse artistic talents.” The G + B Exhibition runs until July 27 at the Vancouver Arts Centre.