Local artist enters Art Comp 2024

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A panel of judges has selected 100 international artists to showcase works of art in ART COMP 2024 at 100 Kellogg Lane, London, Ont. 

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Did you know that Stella Jurgen, one of Tillsonburg’s own, was selected to be in this competition? The selection was back in May and I just discovered it this past week. 

Most people hear the word art and think of a painting. Well, Stella stepped outside her comfort zone and challenged herself by creating her first 3D creation titled ‘CONSUMED.’ The contest encourages unique, thought-provoking, and engaging entries and as you will read, she took every detail to heart. 

On Stella’s website (www.stellajurgen.com/portfolio/) it says, “The CONSUMED installation creates curiosity and awareness. How big is the footprint that impacts the environment when one person consumes goods for one year that are packaged with plastic, cardboard and foam and does not recycle?” 

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Could you answer that question yourself? I certainly could not. Stella did by saving the packaging of what she had used and made a dress out of it! 

“This installation consists of a gown made with recycled and non-recyclable packaging that Stella consumed during one year. It represents the oceans with plastic flora, the earth in bloom with printed cardboard, and the sky filled with foam stars. The long train represents the carbon footprint that was left behind: 18’ long x 9’ wide x 6’ tall. The entry also includes an oil painting of 40×60″ which represents a mirror reflecting a beautiful image, showing circular economy. Materials used in packaging and in clothing are repurposed into other products. As an artist, graphic designer, and recycled fashion creator, she reused materials to make this unique artwork.” 

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The detail in the dress made of ‘garbage’ is amazing, as is the message it sends as only one person used it all in a year! It is perhaps more than ‘thought provoking.’ I would say it causes a startling realization of what carbon footprint can mean and looks like. 

Stella didn’t leave the message with this dress, she painted a portrait – the packaging dress being worn by a woman with all the recyclables looking beautiful. Perhaps what we throw away could be reused in ways that most of us could never imagine!  

I thought I had a good imagination and artistic skills, but Stella’s imagination and talent is stellar. Stella also designs clothes and makes them… and I don’t mean just sewing material together. I have no idea how she took the art from her free-standing creation, and the 5’ painting, and put it on material and made a dress and purse out of it, that she is wearing in the photo!  

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Just to keep the whole display in character the rope barrier stands are all festooned with recycled items and plastic. The blue flowers attached are the bottom of blue plastic bottles. 

ART COMP 2024, showcasing the 100 chosen artists, is on display at 100 Kellogg Lane, London and the public can view and vote until Sept. 1. Voting is now online at https://100kellogglane.com/events/art-comp-2024 . 

To see a great shot of the 18’ train go to Stella’s website https://www.stellajurgen.com/portfolio . 

Yes, this is the same Stella who painted murals in the Tillsonburg and Otterville libraries and has the jazz group Swing of Things that has played about town. 

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My next topic is Architectural Treasures of Tillsonburg. 

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People love seeing ‘then and now’ photos and there are some very old photos of Broadway in this PowerPoint presentation as well regrettable treasures now gone, remaining treasures, and new treasures, both big and small. It is not the size of the building, it is the style and small decorative flares as you will see. 

Now, do you know where the log cabin is? The stone house? The streetcar house? The eternal home worth over $1 million?  This presentation shows the buildings I chose. Which buildings in town do you think should be recognized and perhaps historically designated to save for the future? 

Bring a friend and join me in St. John’s Anglican Church Hall, 46 Ridout Street West, on Wednesday, August 14. Dessert, coffee and tea will be served prior to the 7-9 p.m. presentation. Cost is $15 with proceeds go the Outreach Program to help others in need. 

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