Artists explore Canadian Shield in new exhibit
Show includes works by Keith Thirgood, Daniel Marlatt and Neil Broadfoot
The show Canadian Shield Through the Eyes of an Artist is on now at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, 420 O’Connell Rd. This is an exhibition of works by Keith Thirgood, Daniel Marlatt and Neil Broadfoot.
“For me, the theme of the show is ‘interpretation’,” says Keith Thirgood. “Daniel Marlatt realized that the three of us were all painting the Ontario northland, and that our interpretations were strikingly different. He separately approached Neil and I suggesting we collaborate on a show where each of us would visually tell our own story of Ontario’s north and near-north.”
Thirgood says that when he is in the Canadian Shield, he is struck by the raw force of the three-billion-year-old rocks juxtaposed against the trees struggling to gain and keep a foothold against harsh odds.
Daniel Marlatt remembers drawing as a child, from kindergarten through grade school.
“I had very supportive teachers who encouraged me to continue art studies. Then I met A.Y. Jackson while he was in residence at the McMichael Gallery and shook his paint-splattered hand. That also inspired me to follow my dream at about 10 years old,” says Marlatt. “Fast forward almost 50 years and I am now living my dreams, having moved from Toronto and being blessed to live at and be the owner of the Miskwaa Studio and Outdoor Art Gallery in Trent Lakes.”
“We are each quite diverse in our interpretations of the Canadian Shield,” says Neil Broadfoot. “My experience in the shield goes back to the late 1950s when I was canoeing in the Algonquin Park, Temagami, Quetico and Lake Superior regions. I was an honours graduate from OCA in 1961 and worked as a commercial artist in television animation until I became involved with art education for 35 years.”
Broadfoot’s main media are watercolours and acrylics. Broadfoot is also an art instructor, art retreat leader and president of the Ontario Plein Air Society. The show runs until July 17 at the gallery which is open Wednesdays to Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, please call 705-741-2817, visit www.kawarthaartists.org or like them on Facebook.
Best of High School Art Awards
The Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio held its awards presentation for the best of High School Art show on May 31. Twenty-six prizes were awarded to students.
“The quality of the work this year was exceptionally high and visitors were hard pressed to choose their People’s Choice selection from among the many varied works,” says Linda Patterson, organizer. “Juror Patrick Moore, local artist and educator, gave a brief explanation for his choice of each of the winning artworks.”
Otonabee Ward Coun. Lesley Parnell presented the Mayor’s Choice Award. Five students were awarded more than one prize: Ahreebah Ahmed won the Rose Baker Best in Show, the Victory Art Supply, and the Zimart awards; Jemma Woolidge won a KAGS award and the Bessie Oliver scholarship; Maggie Miller-Marchant won the Roberta Roland Patterson, the Mayor’s Choice and KAGS awards; Tiffany Knott won Honourable Mention Rose Baker and Outdoor Painters awards; Nikoiya Wile won The Cap Leahy and KAGS awards and Ella Verner won the People’s Choice award.
Joanne.culley@sympatico.ca