A new group of local artists came together recently to put on an art show and sale called The Nature of Erin.
The Erin Artists’ Alliance organized the event at the historic Melville White Church on Mississauga Road, just north of Olde Baseline Road, on weekends from September 21 to October 13.
“The newly-formed Artists’ Alliance will provide opportunities for local artists to showcase and market their work,” said artist Monica Schut.
In the bio she posted with her work at the show, she said, “The longer I live in the rural community or Erin, the more my eye sees and interprets the nuances of subtle changes occurring in the trees, fields, ponds and rivers.
“It is my hope that through this work I can share the profound wonder and joy of the beauty of nature where I live.”
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| Erin artist Audrey Devonshire with her watercolour Fox. In September, she also opened The Owl’s Nest Gallery, selling art at her store Minerva’s Boutique on Main Street. |
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| Barry Young of Alton with two of his lathed wood creations – Bonaria, made from a gnarly apple stump from a Hillsburgh orchard, and Bowl, made from an old ironwood tree and black locust wood. He has been a volunteer and demonstrator at Erin’s Made for Wood show. |
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| Lucille Weber with her acrylic painting Happy Thoughts, inspired by the natural beauty of this part of Ontario. She lives in Inglewood, has a studio in Alton |
Each accepted the challenge to create work with an Erin connection, which ended up including images of wildlife, the Mundell Planing Mill, organic ingredients from Everdale farm and impressions of local properties.
“It’s such a great theme because many artists are inspired each day by our surroundings, so painting a picture that captures what you love about the Town of Erin and sharing it with all in a show like this, is truly wonderful,” said Susan Powell.
The Event was promoted by Headwaters Arts. The Melville White Church, which was built by Erin founder Daniel McMillan and his brothers in 1837, has been renovated and is used for weddings, musical performances and art shows.
The Town of Erin Council voted to provide a $500 grant to help with the show expenses.
The new organization expects to hold different events during the year, and is separate from the Hills of Erin Studio Tour, which brings the public into artists’ workplaces, and which marked its 25th anniversary recently.
