Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Shown are the artists, left to right, Rosemarie Stadnyk, Jean M. Dunn, Kathy Smith, Lorraine Voegeli, Grace Gerein. (Submitted photo/Marilyn Richardson)
Country Living

Art show at Chapel Gallery has Western theme

Aug 29, 2022 | 2:33 PM

Five area artists are showing their work at the Chapel Gallery now in a beautiful exhibition called Our Western World.

The event features a variety of pieces from Rosemarie Stadnyk, Lorraine Voegeli, and Jean M. Dunn of North Battleford, Kathy Smith of Battleford, and Grace Gerein of Unity, who are all inspired by rural living.

A reception for the show was held at the gallery last week.

The exhibition includes about 40 or 50 different pieces in total, including watercolours, acrylics, as well as resin paintings, for example.

Accomplished artist Dunn, who especially loves to paint birds, said the show focuses on the unique features that make the artists happy about living in Western Canada.

“Our Western World it tapped into a lot of different feelings for all five of us,” she said. “Of course, for mine, the birds, always make me happy. That’s one of the things that I have there.”

Dunn said the artists in the show depict everything from the Prairie landscape and nature scenes, to old rustic buildings with plenty of character.

“Everybody has a little bit of a different idea and painted a few things,” she said of the project.

People coming to the show will have lots to take in.

Shown are some of the pieces in the exhibition, clockwise from bottom left, Horse by Kathy Smith, Blue Birds by Jean M. Dunn, Poppies by Rosemarie Stadnyk, and Barn by Grace Gerein. (Submitted/North Battleford Galleries)

Kathy Smith submitted several of her works for the exhibition.

She said she worked as a nurse for 45 years, so when she retired she started painting.

Her big interest is depicting the beauty of horses.

“All my life I’ve had horses. I’m interested in nature, and paint mostly Western horses and [other] animals.”

Smith said she rode horses when she was living in the country, and has quite an affinity for the animals.

“My husband, Edward, taught horse-riding so we’ve always had horses around,” she said.

The artist has also shown her paintings previously with many of the other featured artists in this exhibition, so she appreciates taking part in this show at the Chapel Gallery too.

Smith added she often works on her pieces with the Battlefords Art Club, based out of the Don Ross Centre in North Battleford, and enjoys creating art as a calming, meditative experience.

“It’s good for the blood pressure, and for relaxation,” she said. “You just start painting, and before you know it the day is over.”

Our Western World runs until Sept. 11.

angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

View Comments