Painting of prairie landscape and horizon
Always Changing, Annette Sicotte, Acrylic on Canvas, 2022

About the program

Each year, a jury of practicing artists and County residents recommend artworks to be purchased for the County’s art collection. 

Guided by the Art Collection Advisory Committee, The Art Acquisition program takes place during "The Strathcona Salon"—a sweeping exhibition of the artists who help to shape the County’s artistic landscape. From this exhibition, eligible artworks are considered for County purchase. 

“The Salon" also features artwork by ten promising youth artists. Winners of Art Society of Strathcona County’s annual youth exhibition are invited to loan their artwork to the County for one year following "The Salon".


 

General guidelines

Artwork requirements

  • Artists may submit two and three-dimensional artwork in any medium. Any artwork that is original, initiated by the artist, and completed within the last four years may be eligible.

    • One artwork (e.g., one canvas, frame, or sculpture) 

    OR 

    • Two artworks (e.g., two canvases, frames, or sculptures) 

    OR

    • One multi-part artwork or small series (e.g., a diptych, triptych, or a collection of related prints) 

     

     

     

  • A multipart-artwork refers to dyptychs, triptychs, or other artworks comprised of separate parts. A series of works refers to artwork that is visually connected through a subject matter, pattern, medium, technique, palette, and size. Though separate, the components of a series or multi-part artwork should feel like one larger artwork when installed. The Jalopy Collection (2007) by Julie Witten Land is an example of a series. 

    All two-dimensional artworks in a series must be the same size and have matching frames. Three-dimensional artworks may vary in size and shape. 

    Artists must provide a diagram or instructions for installing multi-part artworks or series including their preferred arrangement and spacing between artworks.

    Note: Space at Gallery@501 is limited. Though every effort will be made to exhibit all eligible submissions, Gallery@501 may not have room to accommodate all artworks in a series. In this case, the artist will be contacted before the exhibit opening. Though staff will follow artists’ instructions whenever possible, the placement of artworks is up to the discretion of Gallery@501 staff.

  • Artworks must weigh fifty pounds or less. Staff must be able to safely move the artwork without special equipment or the artist’s assistance. 

    Two-dimensional artwork (or any artwork intended to hand on a wall):

    • Combined area up to 28 square-feet (height of tallest artwork x total width of all artworks)

    Three-dimensional artwork:

    • Maximum footprint of 2.25 square feet per artwork (width x depth) 
    • Maximum height of 8 feet 

    Two-dimensional series:

    • up to 28 square feet including space between artworks (artists must provide instructions and/or a diagram for installation).

    Three-dimensional series:

    • Maximum footprint of 2.25 square feet per artwork (width x depth)
    • Maximum combined footprint of 9 square feet with at least 0.5 feet between artworks
    • Maximum height of 8 feet
    • Maximum height of 8 feet 
    • Photograph: If possible, take a quality photograph of the artwork prior to framing. Cell phone photography is acceptable.   

    • Labels: Label your artwork on the back or bottom with the title of the work, your name and phone number.  

    • Framing: Two-dimensional artworks on paper or similar substrates must be framed or include alternative hanging hardware (rare-earth magnets, clips, etc.). Professional, museum-standard framing is not mandatory.  

    • D-Rings: On conventional 2-dimensional artworks, such as framed artwork and canvases, D-rings are the preferred hardware. If you require assistance or further instruction for installing hanging hardware, contact Strathcona County Public Art. 

    • Artwork that exceeds number, size, or weight limits, or artwork that cannot be spatially or technically accommodated by Gallery@501 is not eligible.
    • Artwork that was previously submitted to “The Strathcona Salon” is not eligible. 
    • Artwork created prior to 2020 is not eligible for display (no exceptions). 
    • Any artwork that poses physical danger to staff or gallery visitors is not eligible.  
    • Artwork that depicts profanity, pornographic images, or graphic violence will not be permitted. 
    • Portraits created without consent of the individuals depicted are not permitted. 
    • Artwork that purposefully imitates another work of art is not permitted. 
    • Artwork that perpetuates harmful stereotypes, racism, or gendered violence is not permitted. 

     

Artwork sales and donations

Jury and selection process


View artwork selected for purchase in 2023

Ten artworks were recommended for purchase in 2023. These artworks will be on display in the Community Centre through June 2023. Click on an image below to view the gallery. 


Direct questions and concerns to Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture:

Phone: 780-467-2211
Email: artacquisition@strathcona.ca

Receive timely updates on artist calls, exhibition opportunities, and Gallery@501 programs
 

Subscribe to our Gallery@501 e-newsletter

Related topics

Last updated: Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Page ID: 38811