Two new exhibitions, “Loup garou et mocassins” and “Deck the Walls” will be on display starting today until Friday, Dec. 20 with an opening reception tonight at 6 in the Gallery.
"This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists and mingle amongst great artwork, food, drink, and delightful company," says a release. This event is free and all are welcome.
"Connections – more than labels – are what make us human," says the release about ‘Loup garou et mocassins.’ "No matter where we come from, we all have a story that evolves. We are told stories about our ancestors to anchor us to our past while we look to the future. We share stories as teachings, to entertain or to soothe. While stories come in all kinds of formats – from oral tradition and printed text to art and photos – stories are common among many cultures around the world. Stories connect us."
Nathalie Bertin is a multidisciplinary visual artist from Toronto but has lived near the shores of Lake Nosbonsing, between North Bay and Mattawa, since 2021. She is of French, Metis, and Algonquin ancestry with roots in Trois Rivieres (QC), Michilimakinac (USA) & Nipissing (ON).
After taking courses in animation, film, and new media, Bertin worked as a graphic designer for over 20 years. She went on to earn a B.A. in Adult Education with distinction before deciding to pursue her true passion, the arts, in 2009. However, not content with just one medium, she delves into painting, illustration, photography, sculptural installation, and a variety of traditional crafts.
She has seen 10 illustrations struck on collector coins for the Royal Canadian Mint and has illustrated several children's books for Nelson Education. She has self-published her first book of traditional stories accompanied by images of her beaded cushions, which she was able to create thanks to a grant from the Ontario Arts Council.
She has presented her work in several solo and group exhibitions, curated exhibitions and co-created “Breathe: A Collection of Traditional Masks Demonstrating Resilience in the Face of the 21st Century Pandemic” to help artists work through the emotions provoked by the pandemic. This project has since gained international recognition.
Bertin's work can be found in the collections of the Government of Canada, the provinces of Manitoba and Alberta, the Royal Ontario Museum, and private collectors in Canada, the United States, and Europe and has been featured by CBC and TFO. She is also the recipient of Craft Ontario’s 2024 Lily Yung Memorial Award for excellence in craft.
Each year, the Gallery transforms into a visual wonderland, adorning the walls from floor to ceiling with an exquisite array of local art submissions." With a range of sizes, styles, media, and price points we guarantee you will find a little someone for that art lover in your life!"
‘Deck the Walls: Holiday Sale’ will be on display in Gallery I.
