The world’s biggest miniature juried art exhibit opened this week in Timmins Black Spruce Gallery with over 120 entries submitted for judging.
All submissions had to be 5 inches by 5 inches and the frames could not be larger than 10 inches by 10 inches.
Christine Richert’s tiny moccasins entry was awarded first prize by the judges.
“I am still in shock,” she said. “I make regular sized moccasins for people, and thought why not make a miniature pair to the specifications of the exhibit rules and see what happens.”
“I actually also made a miniature pair of mukluks,” Richert said.
And if you think making miniature art can be done in quickly consider this, it took Richert two days to sew and embroider the beads on the tiny footwear art work.
Richert, who makes full size moccasins as foot wear, won the first prize coinciding with Mayor Steve Black’s proclamation of May as Foot Health month earlier in the day.
A benefit for Richert, from entering the miniature art exhibit, is that she now has received a batch of orders from people who want miniature moccasins.
“I posted the miniatures on Face Book, and now have orders for miniature moccasins for car mirror hangings, as well as for baby feet,” Richter said.
The second-place prize was awarded to Linda Guiho for her design of a tiny tea set made of clay.
Guiho runs the Wawaitin Clayworks, where she teaches people to work with clay to make traditional pottery, as well as more creative artistic expressions.
She has also hosted her own juried exhibition for clay art produced by members of Wawaitin Clay Works.
Third price went to John Hubbins and fourth to Michael Hill.
About 120 submissions were entered for the juried exhibit hosted by Katelyn Malo at her Black Spruce Gallery on Pine St. S. in Timmins.
Malo was quite pleased with the way Timmins embraced the concept of tiny or miniature art.
“I would definitely do it again,” said Katelyn Malo, the owner of the Black Spruce Gallery.
“Although it is tough being the messenger and having to deliver the judges results, as there are so many excellent submissions, it is so difficult to select the top four out of 120 that were entered,” Malo said.
“The great thing is the gallery was packed with people coming to enjoy all the miniature art,” she added. “It’s great to see such support for miniature art.”
The miniature art exhibit runs until June 30 at the Black Spruce Gallery located at 42 Pine St. South, south of Algonquin Blvd.E., Timmins, Ontario.
