The Portage and District Arts Centre is the final stop for the Central Region Juried Arts Exhibition, and they held their official opening yesterday at the arts centre. Executive Director Paul Legris says it's exciting to be a part of showing the exhibition, noting many of the 40 pieces on display are from local artists.

"It's up for about six weeks and you're looking at abut 40 fabulous artworks with various mediums. A lot of acrylic on canvas, there's ceramic, and in this as well are about 14 pieces from Portage la Prairie."

The pieces were selected through a jury process held in Carman in May. Since that time the pieces have been on display in various communities, including in Holland most recently. Legris says it's great to be one of the stops on the tour, noting one of the pieces most remarked upon was also from a local woman.

"One of the key pieces, a photograph by Rebecca Albert from Portage la Prairie, her piece has been singled out as a significant piece in this collection. It's very exciting for the arts centre because I like to think of ourselves as a big hub for arts and culture within this region. To have this art here is a testament to the whole region."

The exhibition remains on display at the Portage and District Arts Centre until September 3rd.