Algonquin art students were invited to sell their art at a local gallery

With walls covered in sketches, paintings and drawings, Algonquin students were invited to an art sale to fundraise for the SAW gallery downtown.

The entire first semester introduction to fine arts program had their art, in varying styles and representations, available to be bid on or bought over the course of the night on Nov. 25.

There were more than 175 artists present throughout the night; the fine arts students were given a portion of a wall to display their drawings, which were a response to any piece of their choice as long as dated to before the 1700s.

The two small display rooms were filled with people as they circled around the rooms. Some waited while art they purchased was packaged and others made their way to the bar and club.

“It’s exciting, it’s definitely busier than other art shows,” said Anna Eyler, an introduction to fine arts student, “There’s a lot more energy in this one.”

Eyler had her drawing of two intersecting hands at the thumbs on display. They are supposed to represent interconnectedness and cyclicality.

Another student, Marla McDougall, had a drawing of a trillium on display.

“It was a good feeling to sell my first piece,” said Dawn Blair.

SAW gallery annually holds a holiday fundraiser around this time of year.

However, it wasn’t just Algonquin students who had art for sale: Howie Tsui, renowned Ottawa artist, also had a piece for sale called Backfloat. He has pieces displayed across Canada and won the Joseph S. Stauffer award for most outstanding young artist by the Ottawa Art Council. Tsui had given an art talk to the students approximately two months prior to the show.

SAW gallery doubles as a club and frequently hosts events like this.

The next thing the introduction to fine arts students will be doing is planning their own art show to showcase different prints themed around the year of the dragon.