Local artists featured in latest Gibson Gallery exhibit

Artists of Art-Create-Learn were at the Gibson Gallery last Sunday.

Strolling along a beach could be considered relaxing for some people, but for Amherstburg’s Katherine Roth, it’s a chance to find what just might be a piece of art.

On Sunday afternoon, Roth was one of several area artists that featured their work at the Gibson Gallery’s new exhibit “Artists of Art-Create-Learn.” 

There were many paintings displayed but Roth’s “Driftwood Sculpture” was the only sculpture in the exhibit.

‘Driftwood shaped by time and water, because both structure and narrative- transformed into a luminous object that reflects grief, beauty and resilience of nature’ is the description beneath her beautiful piece.

“I found it on the beach on Pelee Island which is my favourite place. It has to dry for a couple of years,” described Roth.

Roth may help the process out a bit sometimes by putting the wood in an oven to dry it quicker before she adds a special beeswax and then solidifies it with resin. 

The medium is called encaustic.

“It’s a very ancient medium. It’s what they covered mummies in. You need to do a lot of preparation,” she said. Roth has been searching out and working with driftwood for over a dozen years. She also paints, and part of the exhibition included her atmospheric landscape called Path to the Light.

Artists of Art-Create-Learn’s well attended opening reception included work by Linda Heise who told the audience her painting is faith based. 

“When I look at the sky and see the beautiful colour, it’s comforting and soothing,” said Heise.

The exhibit, which runs until April 26, is described as one based on creativity, dedication and diverse artistic voices.

It is inspired by the work of the artists who have all had their works published in the Windsor-area art magazine also called Art-Create-Learn.

Asked what kind of art was being featured, magazine copy editor and art critic Cat Turner said, “it’s whatever grabs the artists’ attention, there is no expectation on our part.”

Gulnaz Turdalieva is the Founder and Creative Director of the magazine and she said the Gibson Gallery reached out to her about featuring the artists in her magazine.

“The artists were in the magazine in past issues and I contacted them and said we had this opportunity. It’s to showcase artists,” said Turdalieva.

Next up at the gallery, beginning April 30 is Finding Monet (during the war times) which is an exhibit of pastel paintings by Anna Buckie.

The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. For more information, call 519-736-2826.

Local artists featured in latest Gibson Gallery exhibit

By Fred Groves