“Ever Becoming” closes exhibit season at the Gibson Gallery

Andrea Niven's "Ever Becoming" exhibit ran at The Gibson Gallery from Oct. 23. The gallery presents its Holiday Artisan Shoppe Nov. 20-Dec. 14.

 The work of Andrea Niven was celebrated last Sunday and not only did her exhibit close, but the exhibit season came to a close at the Gibson Gallery as well.

“Ever Becoming,” which ran from Oct. 23-Nov. 9, was the subject of a closing reception Sunday with the artist, her family and supporters gathering to hear about her work.

Niven said she's “come full circle,” recalling that as a student at General Amherst High School, their art exhibits were at the Gibson Gallery.

“I've always been an artist,” Niven explained. “The work probably spans over a couple of decades.”

Much of the work was in mixed media, a preferred medium for Niven due to the textures she's able to use, though some of the work was paintings. Some were created recently though other pieces were older.

Niven stated she is originally from Amherstburg and recently moved back, after spending over 30 years living in Leamington. She was a teacher and between her career and raising a family, she hadn't had a lot of time to pursue her art but that changed when she retired.

As part of her retirement, Niven also got a degree in visual arts from the University of Windsor.

The monarch butterfly is important to many of her pieces, with Niven said the butterfly is to portray a positive message. The monarch is important to Niven personally as well, with a vacation planned to sanctuaries in Mexico with a friend. She hopes the vacation will inspire her to create more art.

“My intent with my work is to instill hope and resilience in life situations,” said Niven.

Niven said she also takes a lot of photos and incorporates them into her work.

“I want to be true to myself and true to my art,” said Niven, adding her art carries a message.

Community-based programs are also something Niven wants to be involved with, citing a mural project in Windsor as an example. She also has contributed to Local Collective Art Projects at The O, with works in the Halloween and Remembrance Day exhibits there.

Niven said she also wants to help others and encourage fellow artists.

“I'm back doing my art and it's the most freeing thing,” she said.

Though it is the final exhibit of 2025, there is more events coming to the Gibson Gallery. The Holiday Artisan Shoppe runs Nov. 20-Dec. 14 with the gallery being open Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free but there is a cost to items being sold by local artists and artisans.

The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. Their phone number is 519-736-2826 and the website is www.gibsonartgallery.com.

By Ron Giofu