Gibson Gallery members showcase their skills - student exhibit up next

Exhibit committee chair Lisa Bassett takes a photo of artist Joe Perz and his work. Perz’s painting is at the far right of the photo.

The Gibson Gallery’s first show of the 2026 season has concluded and it showed off the skills of its membership.  Now, local high school students will get the same opportunity.

The gallery’s annual members exhibition kicked off the season and ran from Feb. 26-March 15 with a closing reception on the last day of the show. Lisa Bassett, chair of the gallery’s exhibit committee, said roughly 30 pieces were entered from the membership.

Different mediums made up this year’s exhibition, with those mediums including acrylics, watercolours, sculptures, pottery, abstract work, tapestry and more. Bassett said the gallery is grateful for its members, of which there are 95-100 on the books so far this year.

“Without them, we wouldn’t have a gallery,” she said. 

Getting together and seeing what the members can do and what they are working on is the best part of the show, according to Bassett.

“You can see everyone’s styles, which is awesome,” said Bassett.

Members were limited to one piece each and if a piece was sold, they were allowed to replace it. Some works were for sale, while other artists didn’t put their works for sale. There were some long-time artists represented, while relatively newer artists were also entered.

Having roughly 30 pieces was a good number, Bassett added, though acknowledged they’ve had more in the past. She said it is important for them to give opportunities for members to showcase their talents.

The show was a chance to get themselves out there and “show us what kind of artists they are.”

The next exhibit is the “Emerging Artists Show,” which runs from March 19-April 5. It features the work of young artists from North Star High School and St. Thomas of Villanova High School. It is expected to feature drawings, paintings, sculptures, mixed media and digital art.

The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. Current hours are Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit www.gibsonartgallery.com or call 519-736-2826.

Gibson Gallery members showcase their skills - student exhibit up next

By Ron Giofu

More Photos from the Members Show Exhibition at the Gibson Gallery: