EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION:

These are unprecedented times. Our world appears to be in turmoil. Necessary changes are needed and happening. We are challenged  in many ways.
Although these challenges are happening on many different levels; politically, societal, inter relational, environmental, they are all, in one form or another, connected and require our response.
We invite you to explore some of the following keywords:
Transition, Change, Connections, Structural Change, Inner Connections, Changing Connections, Reflection, Life’s Textures, Travel, Job Security, Circles, Upcycle (Recycle), Shifting Gears, Racial Tension, Political Turmoil, Staycation, Moving On.
2020 has been an ever changing and challenging year, in which we have learned to adapt, pivot, change and shift our perspective of life.
Ever hopeful of new beginnings, a “new normal” as we reflect and move forward into 2021.
It is our wish that with the theme we are proposing, the members will be given an opportunity to reflect on our new and changing reality, maybe share their fears, hopes and dreams for the new times.

EXHIBIT DETAILS:

The artwork for this exhibit was made in a Triptych format, which is an art piece done in three parts.  This will allow the participants to incorporate the theme of movement, change and shifting. 
These three parts are not connected but hang with a space of 1” between each part.

"One Pattern...Many Quilts" -- the JRFQ2 members have used the same pattern to make their quilts. Each one used different colours and each was quilted differently so sometimes it doesn't look like the same quilt at all. Some added stars to the sashing and some quilts are smaller than the original pattern suggested. Plus, there are other quilts on display that the members have made this past year. On display we have about 20 quilts.

Lisa Clouston
”Artwork by Lisa”
Paintings

Biography: Lisa Clouston grew up on a small mixed farm West of Selkirk, Manitoba. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (1986), as well as a Bachelor of Social Work (1991) both from the University of Manitoba. She is of Metis descent and has lived in the Red Lake area, Northwestern Ontario, Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently resides in Cypress River, Manitoba. Lisa’s medium of choice is acrylic paint, with subjects mostly consisting of landscapes and animals. As part of this exhibit Lisa has also created needle felted wool artwork. We are part of an incredible world. Natural wonders and beauty around us are never ending.

The majority of the artwork on display is available for purchase through the Tiger Hills Arts Association.

Bio - Gail Penner

Gail Penner has lived a varied life, from earth moving and road building, to scientific research with her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She returned to Manitoba in 2007, having worked as a research scientist in Cincinnati, to be a companion to her aging mother. Her new life was based on her passion for creativity. Today she is an artist working in photography, and jewelry, as well as other art forms. In her photography, Gail leans toward rustic and rural scenes, especially during the moodiness of winter storms.

Gail upcycles a variety of otherwise discarded items, but primarily cutlery to make beautiful and nostalgic jewelry and novelty items. She invites clients into her workshop to watch their heirloom cutlery being made into wearable treasures. 

She loves the challenge of gaining skill in creating beautiful and well designed pieces and is mostly self educated in learning how to bend cutlery. She designed several of her tools. 

Since 2008, she has had a full schedule of farmers markets and shows that she attends yearly. She vends at St Norbert farmers market, and the Matiowski farmers market in Kenora, both for about 15 years. Summer festivals include being a street vendor at the Icelandic Festival in Gimli, and Morden Corn and Apple Festival. 

Fall craft shows include Scattered Seeds and out of province shows. Gail is represented by Inspire Studio in Minnedosa, Lagasse's Studio of Fine Art in Souris, Gwen Fox Gallery in Selkirk, and Tiger Hills Arts in Holland. 

This Facebook post on her business page, "Through Glass Images" of a Winnipeg Free Press article is about Gail's life and art:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0xZ7EYR8o42KbgMA4WR28YK8ebbVxstEWhhc4GjkJHPoF4XoYMtLSNjyjYtRhBtZYl&id=100008027435461&mibextid=Nif5oz

Artist statement 

Gail Penner is a photographer with a particular love of winter light. She prefers capturing the moodiness found when the winter sun is low in the sky and its light bounces off snow, creating a bright atmosphere. When this is combined with the falling and blowing snowflakes of a storm or blizzard that obscure the distant horizon, magic happens. Rustic and rural locations are perfect for photography during these conditions. Most of her work, creating images during storms, is done close to her home at Landmark, southeast of Winnipeg. Travels alongside the Seine River provide scenes with farm buildings, trees, bridges, and water. In addition, there is a collection of farm machinery, located at "Pete's Center Canada Heritage", just a few hundred feet west of the "Centre of Canada Park", on the trans Canada Highway that provide subject material. 

BIO - Laurie Kentner

Laurie Kentner lives in Lorette, Manitoba, where she enjoys small town life with her husband.

Laurie is an artist in different mediums but finds her heart in painting with acrylics. She derives her inspiration from the fine details of nature and uses her camera to capture her subjects. She translates the photos to what she feels on canvas. Her passion is in the challenge of bringing those subjects to life.

Laurie has sold her paintings from Ontario to Alberta, in New York, and in a few local auctions in Winnipeg.

Chromatopia is a FAN exhibition inspired by Picasso’s monochromatic works in his blue period. Each artist was challenged to explore their own individual theme through the creation of two monochromatic textile artworks using two assigned colour hues.

The exhibition visually explores the colour spectrum while preserving the unique individualistic style of each artist. Each set of 2 pieces (which will be hung in columns of 2), are textile/fibre pieces that reflect a unique theme of the individual artist depicted through two distinct monochromatic colour schemes. Each work is a 12” x 12” x ½” monochromatic canvas-wrapped textile/fibre piece. Pieces move through the spectrum in one direction on top and the reverse on the bottom. Together the exhibition will visually impact the viewer by the representation of the colour spectrum through both the upper level artworks and the lower. The viewer will be drawn to the distinct themes explored by each individual artist while supporting the inclusivity of the spectrum.

This Exhibit is available in venues from June 2021 until June 2024.

The artwork for this exhibition can be viewed in its entirety in the Exhibition section of FAN’s website www.fibreartnetwork.com

Exhibit Statement: Our group, the Jelly Roll and Fat Quarter Quilters, are united by the love of quilting. It is hard to explain why it is our favourite thing to do on most days. The attraction of a new pattern, the colour of the fabric, or the challenge of a new method of quilting. All of that keeps us interested and striving to improve our skills. But mostly the joy of getting together to chat and learn from each other is the best part.

To apply: contact@gpaccarman.ca

“In The Yard’, acrylic painting, 12” x 24”, $400.00

Patti Hacault — Manitoba Artist
"A Nostalgic Tale of the Past in Rural Manitoba”
Drawings & Paintings

Artist’s Statement: Rural Manitoba, as we know it, is disappearing. During the past few years, I have been focused on creating rural Manitoba landscapes that will draw and remind all the viewers to the past – the “good old days,” and at the same recreating and capturing the past for generations to come.

As an artist, I am passionate about drawing in pencil for its complexity of techniques, but not necessarily for its simplicity. Skill is required to show depth, contrast, highlights and shade with a single color. I like to sketch with graphite pencils because they allow my inner self to be more creative.

Acrylics are one of the most versatile painting media that an artist can work with. They can be thinned to act as water colours, or they can be applied thick to create impasto effects. They dry very quickly, allowing the artist to quickly overlay the colours.

I thrive on the challenge of creating Composite Pictures. I photograph different, and unique elements which are fused together on paper or canvas to create a complete and transparent image with a general sense, history, or message.

Central Region Juried Art Exhibition
Various Media & Artists

This exhibition celebrates the work of many artists. Artists residing in the central region of Manitoba are invited to submit up to three pieces in various mediums into a juried art show, the chosen pieces then exhibit from May to November. The touring schedule includes Pembina Hills Arts Council, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Tiger Hills Arts Association, Golden Prairie Arts Council, Winkler Arts & Culture and Manitou Opera House.

The CRJAE is made possible by the efforts of the Central Cultural Council and generously supported by the Manitoba Arts Council.

40th Annual Juried Art Exhibit Tour Schedule

Opening Reception at Winkler Arts + Culture

April 28, 2022 at 7:00 pm

May 3 – 28, 2022
Winkler Arts + Culture
547 Park St, Winkler, MB
Email: admin@winklerarts.com, Phone: 204-384-9167
Website: winklerarts.com

June 1 – 28, 2022
Tiger Hills Arts Association
Phone: 204-526-2063, Website: tigerhillsarts.com

July 5 – 28, 2022
Golden Prairie Arts Council
Phone: 204-745-6568, Website: goldenprairieartscouncil.com

August 2 – 24, 2022
Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment
Phone: 204-239-6029, Email: prairiefusion.ca

September 1 – 29, 2022
Manitoba Rural & Northern Juried Art Show

October 1 – 28, 2022
Pembina Hills Arts Council
Phone: 204-822-6026, Email: pembinahillsarts.com

November 1 – December 4, 2022
Manitou Opera House
Phone: 204-825-8406 Website: manitouoperahouse.com

Aaron Beirnes
Pencil Drawings

Biography: Aaron Beirnes grew up in Regina before returning to his hometown of Winnipeg when he was 16. After getting interested in art while in high school he has continued to produce work that reflects his interests in subjects that speak to him in some way. Sometimes it’s the way the shadows react on a human face, sometimes it’s as simple as a news story that catches his attention. Such as the tragic death of the gorilla Harambe’s death. Aaron felt compelled to honor this gentle giant the way he knows best... in black and white. Aaron draws mostly for himself, once in a while as a gift for a friend and always in black and white which he believes captures a subject at their most impactful.

Fibre Art Network
“20/20 Vision“
Fibre Art

The Fibre Art Network (FAN) is a co-operative of Western Canadian artists committed to promoting fibre as an art form and each other as artists. FAN membership includes emerging fibre artists, teachers, authors and judges. Many members have been recognized both nationally and internationally for their work.

FAN was inaugurated in 1998. Since then FAN has created 25 exhibitions exhibited at 74 Canadian venues and 7 International venues. To celebrate our 20th anniversary we are presenting 20/20 Vision, an exhibition of over 50 fibre artists each personally interpreting her concept of 20/20 vision.

Exhibition Statement: This exhibition explores how we see, there should be no two ways alike for everybody sees and works differently. Join us and discover.

Vision is in the eye of the beholder. How do we know that the blue you see is the same as the blue I see? Vision is a partnership between your eyes and your mind. Can blind people still see in their mind?Sometimes we think we see things that are not really there. When the mind can’t make sense of what itsees it extrapolates something that does make sense. Examples of this can be seeing the illusion of depth in a 2 dimensional object; seeing a friend out of the corner of your eye that turns out to be a stranger; or seeing a flower in an abstract swish of colour.

By definition 20/20 Vision is perfect vision but what is perfect and by whose standards? You would think hindsight is always perfect as you have the benefit of seeing the event through, yet two people neverdescribe the same event exactly the same. And foresight can literally be anybody’s guess.

Some of us as artists may have a clear vision of the outcome; others are steeped in fog until the last possible moment. Some have a plan, others work by winging it. Some of us work with insight, others foresight and still others from hindsight. Some may let their imagination do the looking; others will look to the facts. Some may look back over the past 20 years; others look forward to the next.

An artist talks of letting a piece speak to them, to create a vision of what they imagine the art can takeon. Even with this vision firmly planted on the artist’s mind the final outcome of the piece almost never comes out like the vision. Is this good or bad? Does this make us good artists or bad? We propose neither as it makes for a flexible artist, one who goes with the flow and lets the current conditions/thoughts/ moods influence the outcome. From the same starting point, would the piece created today be the same as the piece the same artist would create next year? We invited our membership to explore their 20/20 vision to look forward or back to interpret the subject figuratively or literally.

This exhibition is the results of that exploration. We invite you to view our visions to see what you will.

Artist Biographies: The work of over 50 FAN members will be represented in this exhibition. Artist bios and photos of members’ selected artworks can be viewed at  http://fibreartnetwork.com/artists-gallery/. Please note that not all FAN members will be represented in the 20/20 Vision exhibit.

Colleen Granger
"Length and Brea(d)th"
Oil Paintings & Fibre Arts

Biography: As a mature student, Colleen graduated from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Visual and Aboriginal Art honors degree.  She is a visual artist who works primarily in paint (oil and cold wax) and fiber arts. Her practice is informed by her rural/agrarian home and explores the intricacies of connection to place. She has participated as a mentee in the Foundation Mentorship Program with MAWA (Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art) in Winnipeg.  She has been part of exhibitions in the Ace Art gallery in Winnipeg, the AGSM Community Gallery in Brandon, Wasagaming Community Gallery and Portage District Arts Centre. She was awarded a residency in France through Brandon University and Manitoba Arts Council and is part of private and the government of Manitoba collections. In support of her art community, she has volunteered on various visual art boards and fundraisers. Besides working on her own practice, she is also a member of the Westman and area female artist collective, Drawn Together.

Central Region Juried Art Exhibition
Various Media & Artists

Exhibit Statement: This exhibition celebrates the work of many artists. Artists residing in the central region of Manitoba are invited to submit up to four pieces in various mediums into a juried art show, the chosen pieces then exhibit from May to October. The touring schedule includes Pembina Hills Arts Council, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Tiger Hills Arts Association, Golden Prairie Arts Council, and Winkler Arts & Culture.

Wayne Benedet
"Pillagers of Light"
Photography

Artist Statement: The title and idea for this show was born out of a number of discussions with Mensie DeZeemeermin a number of years ago. I had recently taken and posted a print that I called “Don’t Blame It On The Rain”. Mensie saw the picture and suggested that the concept would make a great poem. My response is that this was not something that I would ever do. In our discussion, she agreed to try to write a poem. I told her that if she did write something, I would post it with the image in my gallery. The two continue to be displayed together on the gallery. After reading the poem I was struck with the possibilities of creating a show that incorporated the more challenging shots. To begin with I knew I wanted to include images that pushed the limits of the medium especially those involving large dynamic ranges. The dynamic range of a scene is the measurable difference between the darkest and the lightest parts of the scene. Our eyes adjust constantly to allow us to see detail in the highlights and  shadows so we are generally unaware of the dynamic range of most scenes. The camera however does not have the sophistication of our eyes and is only able to record data in a specific range of light, depending upon how the exposure is set. In brief, if you are in a high dynamic range situation and you set a camera to record highlight detail, you will likely loose shadow detail and visa versa. The goal of my project was to maintain as much detail in the shadowed areas as well as the highlights. This challenge would require very careful exposures and processing. Cameras have the ability to capture the light and dark of a scene in a range of about 7-10 exposure stops. However, even if the camera is able to capture this dynamic range, many scenes go beyond that and if the image is destined for print in any form, detail loss will occur. The best quality glossy papers can faithfully record about 3 to 5 stops of detail. And if one moves to a canvas medium, the detail loss is even greater. Apart from dynamic range, I also wanted to demonstrate some of the other technical abilities of the camera and lens. These included things like recording the Milky Way, (Something my mother said could not be done), extreme enlargements, differential focus, large and small depth of field and a few exposures of birds, simply because of the challenge they create with long lenses. The equipment used is varied. Zoom lenses were used in a number of the exposures, like those involving the birds, and the night exposures. But the the most part especially in the last few years a preference was made for prime lenses which are capable of recording the finest levels of detail. - Wayne Benedet

Biography: I began taking pictures in 1975 to use as a reference for painting. The challenge of the art form encouraged me to study photography at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1979/80. Following this I moved back to the prairies and I have lived here ever since. My prints hang in the Provincial Government Building in Flin Flon, Manitoba and have been displayed at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) and in the Provincial Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My first solo show was entitled: "An Old Ride - Classics in the Rough". It was on tour in Manitoba from December 2008 to the end of May 2012 in fourteen rural provincial galleries. The collection was featured by “More of Uur Canada” Magazine in September 2011. The collection was also featured by “Our Canada” Magazine in their Anniversary Edition. The second collection was called “Voice of the Pioneers”. It toured to ten rural provincial galleries from the fall of 2011 until the summer of 2013. In the final show at the Heritage centre in Steinbach both collections, "An Old Ride - Classics in the Rough" and “Voice of the Pioneer” were shown together. After twenty four shows in five years,I decided to take a break and begin collecting images for another show. “Ridge Road Chevy”, was selected by the Central Juried Art show to tour the Province in from May 12, 2008 to September 30, 2008. “Shroud” was selected by the Central Juried Art show to tour the Province in from May to September 2010. “Beside Peaceful Waters” received an Honourable Mention in 2011 by the World Wide Gala Awards. "Who Has Seen the Wind" won an honourable mention at The World Wide Gala Awards, in the Country Landscape Category 2012. A total of 41 artists were selected from among 282 photographers from 46 countries. 39 were awarded Honorable Mentions from the WPGA's Jury.

I live in Morden, Manitoba so much of my work is about the beauty, history and pioneering spirit of this area. I teach Photography and Processing at Red River College, Winkler Campus and speak about photography to community groups. Examples of my work can be found on line in a number of galleries and websites by GOOGLING Wayne Benedet.

Eleni Kilbride
"A Mothers Art"
Oil Paintings

Artist Statement: Over the years I have enjoyed making artwork that reflects on my journey of motherhood, specifically pertaining to the connections I have built with my children. One way this has been shown is in oil and water-based paintings as well as mixed media collages. With these mediums I choose to elaborate on candid moments in play that I observe my children in. A couple heavier areas of motherhood I like to explore are postpartum stages and the concept of identity. Painting, playing with colour and texture, has always been one of my favourite ways to do this. I enjoy working with a variety of canvases as well including a standard canvas, masonite and wood, and rocks.

Biography: Born and raised in Brandon, MB, this where my husband and I are also situated with our children. For the better part of a decade I have been enrolled in the Visual and Aboriginal Arts department at Brandon University. I have attended full time, part time, and casually while tailoring my schedule to fit the needs of my growing family. This has helped me to balance my studies with the roles of motherhood and working as an Early Childhood Educator II (ECE). Many influences I have pertaining to my art stem from life experiences with some of those including learning to navigate our way through neurodiversity; specifically related to epilepsy and autism. As I have dedicated the last decade to being the primary caregiver and advocate for our children I have found solace in taking some time for myself in the studio, creating artworks and embracing my creativity.

Prairie Canada Carvers Association
"Birds to Bark"
Wood Carvings

Since 1987, Prairie Canada Carvers Association has promoted carving as a legitimate art form, and a splendid artistic pursuit that promotes self development, camaraderie and expression. Prairie Canada organizes an annual Competition and Show which includes workshops and seminars. Carvers from across the Prairies, Ontario and our Southern neighbors gather each spring to compete with their latest carving creations. Carving clubs from many communities bring their displays and participate in this gathering. Prairie Canada is pleased to assemble this exhibition of representative carvings.

Exhibit Statement: This collection represents some of the best carvings from accomplished carvers in Manitoba. Many of these carvings were award winners in the annual Prairie Canada Carving Championships held each spring in Winnipeg.  Carvings include hunting style decoys which must float correctly when thrown from a boat, and decoys that are carved to find a place on a fireplace mantle. You will also find realistic birds carved to celebrate the beauty of our feathered friends. Life sized carvings are shown along with miniature versions.

Traditional carving once termed “whittling” has also developed into show pieces and are displayed in homes and collections. Here, we will find exquisite canes, cottonwood bark carvings, caricatures, interpretive natural wood finish carvings, and maybe stone, bone or antler.

Fish are also represented in this exhibit. They too are carved from wood, textured and painted. This exhibit does not capture every type of wood carving that is created today. There are many other sculptures being created in workshops!

Carvings in this exhibit are predominately wood. Species used include Basswood, Tupelo, Cottonwood bark, and perhaps maple or other hardwoods. You will find glass eyes, and some metal elements are used for structure and display. Paints include acrylics, oils, powder pigments, polishes and various finishes. Textures are created with knives, gouges, wood burners and micro-grinders.

Candace Lipischak
"Deterre/Unearthed"
Acrylic Paintings/Mixed Media

Exhibition Statement: Unearthed / I’ve always had an affinity for bygone objects. Walking my property, which dates back to the early 1900’s, I discovered many discarded items along the embankment of the Rat River. Each brought forth the inevitable questions; ‘Who used them? What was their purpose? Why were they cast away and when?’ Although I was disheartened to see all this antiquated debris, I realized that Mother Nature still thrived and together they coexisted. Integrating the past and the present, Déterré/Unearthed speaks of our environment’s adaptation to evolution and the issues impacting our society.

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Déterré / J’ai toujours eu un intérêt pour les objets du passé. En marchant sur ma propriété, dont l’origine remonte au début des années 1900, j’ai découvert de nombreux objets jetés le long de la rive de la Rivière-aux-Rats. Chacun d’eux amène son lot de questions: qui l’a utilisé? dans quel but? pourquoi a-t-il été jeté et quand? Bien que je sois désolée de voir tous ces débris anciens, je réalise que Mère Nature prospère malgré leur présence et coexiste avec ces objets. Faisant coexister le passé et le présent, Déterré parle de l’adaptation de notre environnement à l’évolution et aux enjeux de notre société. 

Biography: Candace Lipischak is a multidisciplinary Franco-Métis artist from Manitoba. Having worked in graphic design for over 10 years they branched out even more creatively in 2015 as a jewelry designer and owner of Fat Daug-Hand Carved Antler Jewelry.

Drawing on their Métis roots and love of nature, Candace also began creating visual art. By painting and incorporating many mediums such as antler, recycled tin and miscellaneous parts, Lipischak found a way of telling a different story while raising awareness about environmental and social issues.

Past exhibitions include WAG@theForks, Wasagaming Community Arts Gallery, Edge Gallery, Warehouse Artworks and La Maison des artistes visuels francophones. Her work can be seen at TDS Law located in True North Square, Winnipeg.

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Candace Lipischak est artiste multidisciplinaire Franco-métisse du Manitoba. Étant graphiste pour au-delà de dix ans, elle s’est inspirée des ramures de cervidés et est devenue sculpteur/propriétaire de sa compagnie Fat Daug-Hand Carved Antler Jewelry en 2015.

Inspirée par sa culture Métis et son amour pour la nature, Candace s’est aussi mise à créer de l’art visual. Avec de la peinture et en incorporant certains médiums comme des ramures, de l’étain réclamé de sa propriété et de pièces diverses, Lipischak a trouvé une façon de raconter une différente histoire tout en mettant en évidence des enjeux sociaux et de l’environnement.

Ses expositions passées incluent WAG@the Forks, WasagamingCommunity Arts Gallery, Edge Gallery, Warehouse Artworks et La Maison des artistes visuels francophones. On peut voir ses oeuvresdans les nouveaux bureau de TDS Law, situé au True North Square à Winnipeg.  

Déterré / Unearthed is presented in partnership with La Maison des artistes visuels francophones. Supported by Canadian Heritage.

Jelly Rolls & Fat Quarters Quilting Group
"HST…Not Another Tax!"
Quilting

“Our group challenge this year was to make a quilted article that used principally half—square triangles– hence the HST abbreviation. Half-square triangles are made by sewing two squares of fabric together stitching on the diagonal, cutting the fabric 1/4 inches away from the diagonal stitching line, pressing the two pieces of fabric open, and voila, a square that has two triangles!

We decided that about 90% of the article that we made should be half-square triangles. In our search for patterns, we found that HSTs could be used in an endless variety of arrangements to yield vastly different quilts. Not only that, the HSTs could be made in many different sizes thereby increasing the variations within one quilt. Or they could be made one at a time or up to 8 at a time; so, if time is a factor, 8 HSTs at a time is good.

Our display includes quilts in all sizes—from queen size to lap quilts. As well there will be table toppers or table runners. There could be some bags featuring half-square triangles…”  - Jelly Rolls & Fat Quarters Quilting Group

Elaine O’Keeffe & Liam Toms
"All About Trees"
Photography & Wood Carvings

Artist statement: All about trees is a collection of fine art photography and hand-carved wood spirits. In centuries past, travelers assured their safety through forests by carving wood spirits on walking sticks or pieces of wood and bark. These carvings appeased the spirits thus the traveler was allowed to enter and leave the forest without difficulty. Capturing a glimpse of a wood spirit in the forest was said to be lucky, it guaranteed health, happiness, and good fortune. Trees represent harmony, unity and connections between heaven and Earth, the past and the present, death and rebirth. Being amongst the trees may evoke a feeling of mindfulness, leading us to more aware and compassionate toward our surroundings. As you wander through the exhibit, we hope that you are inspired to explore your surroundings to find beauty amongst the trees and forests.

Elaine O'Keeffe: Elaine feels at peace when surrounded by trees and is drawn to their beauty. Exploring forests, or any areas with a lot of trees, is like being hugged by nature. Whether capturing a seasonal moment, or revealing a hidden treasure, Elaine’s goal is to reveal each tree’s spirit and beauty, as well as the emotion that they evoke.
Elaine is a member of the Winnipeg South Photo Club and served as President for the 2012-13 year. She served as the clubs Exhibit Coordinator during 2016 – 2018, coordinating seven exhibits for the club.
Elaine is on the planning committee for Manitoba Photo Events. This team represents three photo clubs in Winnipeg - Manitoba Camera Club, Manitoba Foto Friends and Winnipeg South Photo Club. The clubs have come together to bring photography speakers that educate and inspire the local photographic community in Manitoba. The speaker for 2019 is Michelle Valberg. Past speakers have been Andre Gallant, David DuChemin, Paul Zizka, Dave Brosha, Andre Gallant, Darwin Wiggett/Samantha Chrysanthou, David DuChemin, Dave Brosha and Paul Zizka.

Liam Toms: An emerging artist, Liam has always been drawn to the outdoors. While exploring in nature, he discovers pieces of wood which seem to have a spirit that is waiting to be revealed. An avid illustrator and carver, Liam has a talent for bringing to life the character and essence within. His art reveals itself chip by chip, first to the artist and then to the viewer.

Mary Wood-McNeil
"Family Portraits"
Chalk Pastels

Artist Statement: I love to create art ... I use all different mediums such as oil paints, acrylic, water colour, clay hand built sculptures etc. Usually my choice of medium depends on what I want to depict and how. As I pondered what medium to create this series of artworks "Family Portraits" I decided to use chalk pastels. I love the softness of the pastels and the hand blending techniques : chalk pastels were perfect for such personal artwork creations. I create larger scale portrait drawings using chalk pastel on vellum surface paper or pastel paper. I work from photographs that have struck a chord in my heart and have begged to be reproduced by my hand. "Family Portraits" will become timeless treasures : a moment in time captured forever on paper with chalk pastel. When I work on each piece my thoughts are about one I am drawing... it almost seems like I get lost in creating with the one I am depicting : it is a very good place to be.

Biography: Born in Manitou, Manitoba, Mary is a multi disciplined artist: she grew up in rural Manitoba on a mixed farm in the Pembina Valley. As a child she was continually drawing and sketching her world as she has seen it: visually depicting the scenic beauty, animals, and family that surrounded her.  She is a painter and sculptor  who loves to create : it is the subject matter that dictates the medium most suitable in depicting what is coming from her heart. She favours painting and hand building sculptures with clay, although recently has acquired a love of chalk pastels.

Although Mary is basically a self taught artist, her art has developed professionally over a period of 30 years through University courses as well as working along side many talented acclaimed artists.  Mary sites the Canadian Group of Seven as her first inspiration for creating art: over the years many artists have made an influence on her personal art style. However it has become clear to her that the true inspiration for her art work comes from God. He dictates what to create and who it is for: her art is considered prophetic art that has a purpose.

Her work has won awards for advancement and recognition and has been exhibited in art shows in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North Dakota. Her art is in private collections across Canada.

Mary recently retired from Parkwest school division, where she taught high school art, and facilitated government programs such as ArtSmarts and Arts Education Access throughout the division . She has taught many adults and students art classes from her  studio in Russell, Manitoba. Her and her husband have moved to Somerset, Manitoba where Mary continues to create art and love art!