Gibson Gallery celebrates first exhibit of the season, launches the second

Steve Brown discusses the painting he submitted for the “From the H’Art” members exhibit at the Gibson Gallery during a closing reception last Sunday afternoon. That exhibit is now finished, but the “Emerging Artists” exhibit featuring works from North Star and Villanova students is underway.

The work of the membership at the Gibson Gallery was on display for the last few weeks and now it is local high school students’ turn.

The closing reception for the “From the H’Art” exhibit at the Gibson Gallery was last Sunday afternoon with the exhibit having run Feb. 27-March 16. The exhibit featured the artwork of the gallery’s members.

Lisa Bassett D’Alessandro, a board member at the Gibson Gallery and chair of its exhibit committee, said the members exhibit traditionally has led off the season.

“It’s always our first exhibit,” she said. “It’s to honour our members. Most of our members are artists or aspiring artists.”

For some of the members, they were exhibiting for the first time.

“It’s a nice little stepping stone for them,” she said. “It’s always one of my favourite shows. We don’t get to see what they’re working on unless they are doing an exhibit. We’re appreciative of their work.”

Artists were invited to submit what they were working on or had in their collections, with a variety of mediums covered. Water colours, acrylics, oils, ink, sculptures, collages, fabric and writing were just some of what was covered in the “From the H’Art” exhibit.

“People definitely submitted some nice stuff,” said Bassett D’Alessandro. “It’s definitely not just art that hangs on walls.”

Roughly 35-40 members participated in the “From the H’Art” exhibit.

“We do have most of our members,” she added. “Some people are shy to provide their stuff but that’s OK.”

Some of the works featured in the "From the H'Art" exhibit are pictured here. That exhibit closed March 16.

Attendance at the gallery during the show was good, she stated.

“I feel we had a good turnout,” said Bassett D’Alessandro. “It was a really good show.”

“Emerging Artists” is the new exhibit at The Gibson Gallery, with that opening this Thursday and running through April 6. It features art students at North Star High School and St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School.

“It’s our first year in a long time we have Villanova students joining us,” she said.

Students were invited to showcase their favourite piece of art.

“There’s really no theme,” said Bassett D’Alessandro, adding they want students to feel comfortable displaying what they think is their

best work.

Some of the work will be for sale, she added, though there will be students who don’t wish to sell their work.

The Gibson Gallery is currently open Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. Their website is www.gibsongallery.org and their phone number is 519-736-2826.

By Ron Giofu