See over 100 works of art from many local artists all in one place
The Gwen Fox Gallery is hosting its All Members show this month. This is a great time to see many different styles of art by regional artists as all members of the gallery have the chance to participate in this show. There will be woodworking, pottery, beadwork, fabric art, fibre art, and of course paintings in all different types of mediums to enjoy.
Because it would be impossible to feature everyone from the show the Selkirk Record caught up with three of the exhibit’s artists Melanie Shumilak, Drew Perry and Ida MacKenzie.
Ida MacKenzie
MacKenzie has brought two of her acrylic pieces to the gallery this month but this accomplished artist is multi-disciplinary working in many different mediums to create paintings as well as being an accomplished potter and a wood carver.
“I paint what I see in nature and that tells me a story that I hope that people that come in to see my art in the gallery can relate to their stories,” said MacKenzie.
The two pieces that MacKenzie has in this month’s show are both acrylic landscapes with a fantastical edge.
“They’re both from the Birds Hill Park area. I do a lot of walking in Birds Hill Park. I live in Oakbank and it’s beautiful there all the time wherever you walk. I take a lot of pictures and then I go home and I think from there. These are the stories of my walks in Birds Hill Park, one in the fall in the winter,” said MacKenzie.
MacKenzie says that much of her inspiration comes from nature. She spends time in northwestern Ontario in addition to Manitoba and captures our beautiful landscape.
“It’s just totally nature wherever I go it’s to nature. And when I carved, I carved birds and ducks and that kind of thing, too. So that all relates back to nature, and how much I enjoy it,” said MacKenzie.
Her art journey began when her parents decided to enrol her in art classes when she was young.
“There were eight of us in there and we all had our little tables and we painted in oil and I still have those paintings,” she said.
MacKenzie has been a creative person for her entire life but for people who want to start on their creative journey, she suggests that they not be afraid.
“Paint as much as you want. I have a granddaughter that I know is going to be way better than I ever was. I can just see it and she’s always [creating] and I just keep supplying her with supplies and she just keeps doing it. I just think practice, if you really want to do it. If it’s your passion, don’t give up. Just do it. It’s the best relaxation, and stress relief for anybody, anytime in their life,” said Mackenzie.
She also encourages residents near and far to stop by the gallery this month.
“This is just such a beautiful place. You couldn’t ask for a better place. Anybody I see I tell them to stop by. Especially now at this time, it’s going to have over 100 paintings. You don’t see such a variety of art anywhere. It’ll inspire them or, or just be a good afternoon or an enjoyable day,” said Mackenzie.
Keep up with MacKenzie at @idamackenzie on Instagram.
Drew Perry
Perry is a newer artist at the Gwen Fox Gallery. His two photographs in this month’s exhibit each show how very beautiful this region of the province really is.
“Photography is a way of seeing the world differently. It enables me to see things that I wouldn’t see otherwise and share them with other people and then also to retain special moments. Memories fade and photographs last. I like to have that for myself, but also to share,” said Perry.
He said that he was honoured to have his two pieces in this month’s exhibit.
“I’ve got one that is called Floodway in the Fall, which is not often how people see the floodway. It’s a shallow stream going through it and I came across it by accident and the light was wonderful, a bit of haze in the sky from the summer’s forest fires,” said Perry.
His other piece is a second landscape this one taken in St. Andrews and is aptly named Haybales in St. Andrews.
“It’s just on River Road and was from last fall. Haybales with a light dusting of frost on them gathered around a mature tree in a field and the sun was going down and so the sky was shining,” said Perry.
Though Perry lives in Winnipeg he has a unique connection to our area having worked at Lower Fort Garry at one time. From there, he has maintained friends in the area and so the Gwen Fox Gallery was on his radar.
Perry’s artistic journey began well before that, however, as he comes from an artistic family.
“Photography was part of my growing up. My dad loved to take photographs and had an artistic side, we did watercolours and oils, and so I was exposed to it at a young age. He passed on his father’s camera to me when I was about 17 and I began taking pictures with a camera that you were able to adjust properly, not just on auto,” said Perry.
He says that his inspiration comes from landscapes, of course, but he’s also attracted to taking picture of people and having a wife who is a gardener brought forth a passion for taking photos of her flowers.
His advice for people who want to pick up a camera and get started is that you don’t need anything fancy.
“The quality of cameras in phones is extraordinary. So, that’s a good place to start or a small entry-level digital camera, if you want to be able to expand the number of photos you take to save them for the future. Then I just think begin shooting. Shoot anything that catches your eye and learn to refine your vision based on that on what appeals to you,” he said.
Perry also encourages everyone to visit the gallery saying that he’s been impressed by the variety and quality of art that he’s seen on display.
“I think it deserves to be seen and enjoyed by many,” he said.
Keep up with Perry online at @ddrewperry on Instagram.
Melanie Shumilak
Selkirk Residents will know Shumilak from her work as director of Selkirk United Church’s Dessert Theater productions or her spot as visual arts coordinator for the Selkirk & District Arts Festival but something that they may not realize is that her creativity transcends genres as she has two pottery pieces in this month’s art gallery.
“It’s pottery. It’s 3d. It’s a little bit creative. It’s functional which is the unique part of it,” said Shumilak.
Her first piece is a wall hanging that Shumilak explained could also be used as a chatutery board plate. It’s called La Fleur and features a lily of the valley. The second piece is a plate which is titled Blue Lace because of the delicate blue lace pattern that has been put on it.
Shumilak is a recent addition to the Gwen Fox Gallery with classes being her gateway into the community.
“I started with pottery lessons back in June and joined with my daughter and her husband. And now my grandchildren are taking pottery lessons. And I’ve been coming to the additional classes drop-in classes on Tuesdays,” she said.
Shumilak said that her journey into creation came later in life. Coming from a family that didn’t do art she picked up a paintbrush when she retired and has since also tried her hand at watercolour and mosaic. She also does crafts with her grandchildren.
Though she enjoys creating work with texture, Shumilak said that she never starts her art with a plan.
“I see something I think ‘Oh, wouldn’t that be fun?’,” said Shumilak.
As someone who incorporates art in many aspects of her life, Shumilak suggests that artists start making art for the passion of making.
“Really take a look at your time and how much you want to use it being creative and look out because you’re going to be seeing art everywhere in your world and you’re going to look at a tree differently and the sky differently and even the face of your grandchildren,” she said.
Shumilak welcomes residents to stop by the Gwen Fox Gallery this month.
“I had no idea there are so many artists in the Selkirk area and so many people, dedicated and interested, we need to volunteer our time and certainly get a chance to appreciate each other’s skills. It’s beautiful. Just come and see,” said Shumilak.
The Gwen Fox Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and late on Thursday until 8 p.m.
Admission is always free.
