Join us in this series of free artist talks.  Learn about the lives, influences and creative processes of  Ontario artists. Each talk is one hour from 7-8pm on  Thursday evenings throughout the fall.  The talks will be held at the Opeongo Seniors' Centre (the brick building diagonally across from the Railway Station).   

Sept. 23rd, 7 - 8pm

A true naïve painter, Jerome has painted since his early years, but never received formal art training. His usual medium is acrylic on canvas, but he has applied his imagination to a variety of projects including set design, pattern design for knitted sweaters, and interior wall treatments. Jerry's unique and exuberant interpretations of everyday subjects can be playful, reflective, nostalgic, or simply appreciative of the natural world. His inspiration derives from his personal experience of life on this land and his drive to capture and convey elements of that experience to others visually. Jerome Coulas now resides on the Bonnechere River in the Ottawa Valley, not far from where his Kashub ancestors settled about 150 years ago.

www.coulas.com

Oct. 7th, 7 - 8pm

Kim received her Honours Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Waterloo and attended the independent Art's Sake Inc. in Toronto.  She has worked in oil on canvas for over 25 years, inspired by the colourist tradition.  Working on site or from her log cabin/studio surrounded by bush and gardens has provided her with the gifts of endless subject matter and the quiet needed to see and render its beauty.  Kim also learned the medium of watercolour recently, having had to take a pause in her oil painting as a result of an injury. Kim also does sculpture, drawing and printmaking.  

                                       www.kyhanewich.com

Oct. 14th, 7 - 8pm

Richard Gill has a Bachelor of Architecture from Pennsylvania State Unversity and a diploma of Applied Arts in Ceramics from Sheridan College. He has been sculpting full-time since 1970. His studio is one hour's drive from Ottawa in the village of Burnstown. Richard's plaques and murals have received numerous awards and hang in many private and public collections across Canada and abroad. His commissioned murals hang in Kingston General Hospital, Stoney Creek City Hall, Amoco Oil (Calgary), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Queen's University and various restaurants, churches and community centres.  He also conducts workshops for students interested in clay-relief and drawing.   Richard's work is exhibited year round at the Bittersweet Gallery in Burnstown.

www.burnstown.ca

Oct. 28th, 7 - 8pm

Julie Lockau attended design school at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario for three years, and received a three-year residency at Hourbourfront Centre in Toronto after graduating in 1993. Now residing north of Bancroft, Ontario, Julie works with natural, found materials and wood dyes to create colourful wall sculptures, hand sewing each one with brightly coloured upholstery threads.  Julie has works in the collections of the Canadian embassies in Brazil and Italy. Her works have been exhibited at the S.O.F.A. Chicago show for the past three years with Options Gallery of Montreal.