The Art Guild of Scarborough, celebrating its 51st year this year, has organized more than a few art shows, but none was quite like this one.

This year’s annual Fall Art Show, which ran Nov. 2 and 3, attracted the best turnout ever, Art Guild president Garry Herridge said.

“We had 96 artists show 371 works, which is the most ever,” he said. “And we had a judge on Friday night who judged the work and gave out the awards, and he said this is the best he has seen.”

The Art Guild of Scarborough was started in 1962. Its mission is to bring people in the community together to share a mutual interest in the fine arts.

The Art Guild of Scarborough aims to bring community members together by showcasing work by local artists. Visitors this year’s Fall Art Show were able to purchase art and help support their local artists.

The organization started in 1962 when 15 Scarborough artists got together and helped organize the first Art Guild of Scarborough show. Today the Art Guild organizes two shows a year.

The annual fall show and sale has continues to be a highlight of the Art Guild of Scarborough’s calendar, as it has been for 51 years. The annual spring show and sale will follow in the new year.

The organization enables individuals to get together and share their ideas and time, all with the goal of supporting Scarborough artists and their work. ‘It’s not just hanging your artwork; it’s how you present it,’ says Garry Herridge, president of the Art Guild of Scarborough.

‘The organization is what I like. This is a very unique organization,’ Art Guild president Garry Herridge says. ‘It’s very important (to Scarborough) because the artists are from the community. Even the people who purchase our work are from the community. It just helps the community grow culturally and emotionally.’

The turnout at this year’s Fall Art Show was very big, local artist Pam Erickson says. ‘I enjoy seeing the variety of work and everybody contributing, and (I enjoy) finding new ways to express myself,’ says Erickson, who has participated in Art Guild shows for many years.

‘Our members come from all walks of life,’ Herridge says. ‘We have beginner artists and professional artists that come together and show their work.’

The Art Guild of Scarborough sells more paintings than any other community group in the city, Guild president Garry Herridge says. That, he says, is due to the strong connection and bond between community members and artists.

The art show featured works of art in a variety of media, including acrylic paint, watercolour, sculptures and video images.