“Gentry Gardens” the latest exhibit at The Gibson Gallery in Amherstburg

The work of artist Sandra Ellis is now on exhibit at The Gibson Gallery. “Gentry Gardens” opened June 3 and runs through June 22. An artist’s reception was held at the gallery last Saturday.

The latest exhibit at The Gibson Gallery features paintings that depict scenes around Amherstburg as well as the many travels of the artist.

“Gentry Gardens,” the title of the exhibit by Windsor artist Sandra Ellis, is on display at the gallery through June 22. 

Ellis noted the High Tea Party that was held at the gallery June 8 had an influence on her art choices, as she wanted them to be suitable for a tea party.

One of the works is a painting of the visitors centre at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada, and Ellis said reproductions are for sale at Fort Malden and help fund maintenance of the buildings.

The works are all watercolours, she said, and the bulk on exhibit are from the last ten years. A lot of the paintings were done as plein air works, with others from photographs she took.

“Amherstburg is such a beautiful town. I could do 100 paintings just in Amherstburg,” said Ellis.

Other paintings are done from her and her husband’s travels to Scotland, England, Sweden, Germany, France and Italy.

Ellis has been an artist “ever since I can remember,” and while she has never lived in Amherstburg, she is no stranger to the town. Not only are she and her family regular visitors, her grandmother May Pringle owned the former Bluebird Motel in town.

“She was a foster parent to many, many kids,” she said. “Their place was right on the water.”

Ellis said she spent her summers there as a youth and her husband proposed to her in Navy Yard Park. 

“I’ve always loved Amherstburg,” she said.

Ellis added she has been part of other exhibits at The Gibson Gallery, including as a member of the Association of Representational Artists and the Plein Air Association. 

Ellis thanked the gallery for exhibiting her paintings and the staff and volunteers for being easy to work with.

The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. It is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in June.

For more information, call 519-736-2826 or visit www.gibsongallery.org. 

“Gentry Gardens” the latest exhibit at The Gibson Gallery in Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu