Sigvaldason Fine Art is stepping into new territory this spring, hosting its first-ever solo exhibition featuring a contemporary artist.
The gallery, known for its focus on historical Canadian works, will present Lake Winnipeg Reflections, a new show by Gimli artist Sharon Cory. The exhibition will open with a reception on Friday, May 2 at 6 p.m., where visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artist, explore the artwork, and enjoy refreshments and dainties alongside fellow art enthusiasts.
“We’ve had our eye on Sharon for some time,” said gallery owner Nolan Sigvaldason. “She checked a lot of boxes for what we look for in an artist and we’re really looking forward to this show. It’s a perfect fit for our gallery and our community.”
Cory, who studied Architecture and Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, has been working as an artist in Manitoba for several decades. Her paintings capture fleeting moments of human and natural interaction, with a particular focus on the landscapes and beach scenes of Lake Winnipeg and Gimli.
“These expressive works capture ephemeral moments in the lives of the people and birds in the paintings,” Sigvaldason said. “The works explore themes of transience, intergenerational connections, and the fragility of life.”
The exhibition shines a spotlight on one of Manitoba’s most iconic natural landmarks. Lake Winnipeg — the 11th largest freshwater lake in the world — serves as a rich source of inspiration throughout Cory’s paintings. Its vastness, diverse shoreline scenery and constantly shifting weather conditions breathe a sense of life and movement into each canvas.
Sigvaldason said Cory’s work not only celebrates the beauty of Lake Winnipeg but also offers a deeper reflection on the connection between people and their environment — a connection that feels especially resonant in a lakeside community like Gimli.
“It’s exciting to see a contemporary perspective that still honours the tradition of telling Canadian stories through landscape and life,” he said.
Lake Winnipeg Reflections will run at Sigvaldason Fine Art from May 2 to May 31. The gallery hopes the exhibition will draw both seasoned collectors and new visitors, as well as spark conversations about the evolving role of contemporary art within the broader context of Canadian artistic heritage.
For more information about the exhibition, visit www.sigvaldasonfineart.com or call 204-641-1594. Sigvaldason Fine Art is located at 70 Centre St. in Gimli.
