some drawings by some albertans

An extensive series of studio and gallery visits was made by exhibition curator/coordinator Don Mabie before he made the final choices. If possible Mabie wanted to, "see everyone in the province that was doing finished drawings" before he made his selections. Therefore, Mabie evolved a system to collect names of drawers. In late February of 1980 an Information Sheet, loosely outlining the concept of the show, was sent to artists, curators, art administrators and critics within the province. These people were invited to submit names for potential studio visits. As names came in those artists were also sent information and invited to suggest names as well. From these lists a schedule of studio visits was arranged to view drawings. From March through September, 118 studio visits were made along with 33 gallery and collection visits; in total 175 artists' works were seen before the jurying began. 

Although Mabie had a number of consultants accompanying and advising him during the studio visits the final selections were made solely by him. He chose works that he found most interesting in terms of image, form, technique, content, energy, humour, intelligence --- that is "quality", and everything that word implies.