Art education central theme of winter exhibits

The winter exhibitions at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre will highlight the value of the visual arts experience through education and practice.

Art inspires innovation, encourages originality and develops creative thinking for students of all ages, says pumphouse marketing coordinator Aimee Medina.

The Joyner Gallery at the arts centre will feature the works of the instructors, while the Walker Room Gallery showcases the artistic talent of participating Niagara-on-the-Lake elementary school students.

Both shows run from Wednesday, Dec. 14  to Jan. 29.

The group exhibition represents the art instructors’ practice and teaching techniques through their artwork, says Medina, and the collection “also offers visitors a glimpse into the range of mediums that are available in the art centre’s upcoming programs.”

Among the works on display is a piece titled Model Resting, in coloured pencil by NOTL artist and instructor, David Antscherl. He also has an academic background in rehabilitation medicine and anatomical research. This January, Antscherl will share his expertise in these fields in the intermediate-level art class, Anatomy for Life Drawing.

Also featured in the show are the stunning sculptures in ceramic by professional artists and instructors Debbie Whitehouse and Jenny Santos. Both artists will be teaching in the new year: a two-day Garden Pottery Workshop for beginners in January by Whitehouse and a hand-building pottery class in February led by Santos.

More information about the exhibit can be found at niagarapumphouse.ca/exhibition.

Another must-see group exhibit this winter showcases the artworks of participating elementary school students from Crossroads Public School, Royal Oak Community School, and St. Michael Catholic Elementary School. 

“We are excited to present the works of young talents in our gallery. Through the exhibit, we want to promote the importance of art education at an early age,” says art centre director Rima Boles. “We have witnessed first-hand in our art camps the positive impact that art experience brings to young artists. Our program instills creativity, self-expression, risk-taking and many other life-long skills.” 

In January, the arts centre will be offering an in-studio, winter art camp for budding artists. Using quality art supplies and tools, campers will spend the week creating projects in drawing, painting, sculpture and more.

For more information or to registration for upcoming programs visit niagarapumphouse.ca/programs.

The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre is an art hub of the NOTL community. It is located at 247 Ricardo St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, on the banks of the Niagara River, in a heritage building that formerly supplied water to town.