A name has a way of adding weight to a piece of art.

Because a respected artist created it, it must be good, right?

That's certainly not the case in The Anonymous Show.

There is no way of knowing who created the pieces on display at the North Forté Gallery until they have been purchased, contributing to the wonder of the anonymous art show.

“It just adds to the excitement and curiosity,” said Elizabeth Holmes.

The local artist was inspired to open her downtown gallery to host an unidentified art show after hearing about the success of similar projects in other parts of the country. For years, a community centre in north Vancouver has been raising funds by selling pieces of art that aren't labelled until they're bought.

“People don't know who the artist is until they purchase the work,” she said.

Holmes invited a number of local artists to participate in the show. A total of 17 visual creators from Sudbury and area submitted pieces for the show, resulting in 40-some pieces on the walls at Holmes' gallery.

“The people I asked were enthusiastic to participate,” Holmes said. “I think they all did really good work.”

Unwrapping the pieces, which range from scenic landscapes to bizarre abstracts, was a thrilling experience for both Holmes and the show curator Krysta Telenko.
“It was like Christmas opening up the wrappings,” Holmes said.

Colours, textures and even mixed media pieces add to diversity of the exhibition.

The constant between the diverse collection is size — each piece was created on an eight-by-eight canvas. The price tag attached to each piece is the same too. For $100, the community can find out who created the pieces on the wall before bringing it home.

Holmes said she is pleased with the response from the artist community, and hopes others are just as receptive to the concept of the show. She would like to do it on an annual basis, including more pieces in the future.

For more information, stop by the North Forté Gallery at 122 Durham St., in the same building as Reg Wilkinson Men's Fine Clothes, Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

On Feb. 23, an opening reception is slated to take place from 1-4 p.m.

Artists participating in the show include Brigitte Bere, Pina Dibenedetto, Mary Lou Fabbro, Linda Finn, Bonnie Hallay, Fabian Hynes, Ray Laporte, Jenny Latreille, Lynn Latreille, Rosie Maddock, Kim McKibbon, Barb Parker, Liz Peekstok, Marlies Schoenefeld and Heather Topp, as well as Telenko and Holmes.