Art exhibit 'a corridor of fun' at 124 on Queen

Teaming up for a new art exhibit is clearly a ton of fun for both Alana Hurov, director of marketing at 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa, and Niagara-on-the-Lake artist Tanya Peterson, who curated the collection. 

Speaking to The Local in the hotel’s Q Lounge last weekend, the pair frequently laugh while sharing stories of their young children, and talk enthusiastically of how great it has been to work together on the bright, colourful exhibit of works by Peterson, her husband Jordan Morrison, and fellow NOTL artist Ron Clavier. 

Their collaboration will be in the spotlight for a special opening event in the Q Lounge on Wednesday, April 19 from 7 until 10 p.m. 

Sixteen canvases line the sides of the corridor leading from the hotel’s Queen Street entrance toward the lounge and bar, ending just before the door to the guest rooms. 

“We look at this hallway as our corridor of fun,” Hurov says. “We used this opportunity to turn it into this magical place.”

Visitors are struck by the bright hues as they walk through, stopping to admire the stunning golden sunsets in Morrison’s photography, the waves crashing ashore and a solitary rowboat in Peterson’s paintings, and the abstract water images of Clavier’s works. Though the styles of each artist are very different, each piece was chosen to reflect the title of the gallery’s debut exhibit, Lake Life. 

Hurov explains that once the hotel’s design team had settled on the first exhibit to feature the work of the three artists, she reached out to Peterson. 

“The goal was to collaborate with local artists from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Art Collective,” Hurov says. “When I got in touch with Tanya I quickly decided that she would be the best person to curate the exhibit and to be our artist-in-residence at the hotel. She’ll help us with design and curate different art pieces for the hotel, too.”

Peterson, the daughter of well-known NOTL artist Trisha Romance, likens curation to art mapping. 

“Pieces talk to each other,” she says. “And when you have landscapes, you have to be conscious of the levels. I had some sleepless nights thinking about what was going to go where. Hanging itself is an art form, and it took us all day. It was a lot of fun.”

Peterson situated the pieces to give an early introduction to each of the three artists, while ensuring that each canvas flowed fluidly into the next, leading visitors through a stroll down the corridor that becomes more than just a walk. 

Hurov adds that beginning with the opening night, the white bulbs in the gallery will be replaced with colourful lighting, and a series of animations of Clavier’s paintings will be projected on the wall. Those, and other elements, are designed to create a fully immersive experience. 

“All senses will be impacted,” says Hurov. “You’ll hear the sounds of the ocean and you’ll also smell the ocean breeze. It all fits in with the theme of the entire hotel. I don’t think the town has ever seen anything like this. We’re hoping to make it a true celebration of art in this community.”

“We’ve had many art shows,” adds Peterson, referring to the gallery that she runs with Morrison on Niagara Stone Road, “but we’ve never done this, where all your senses are being hit.”

In her role as artist-in-residence Peterson envisions curating new exhibits every three months or so, basically changing with the seasons. She mentions as future possibilities a collection of portraits and an exhibit of work by young, emerging artists. Other potential ideas include holding classes or inviting local artists to actually paint right in the gallery. 

Hurov points to the courtyard, which later this summer will feature a 20,000 square foot Zen garden. Peterson sees the possibility of holding art activities outside once that space is completed, and inviting local sculptors to display their work there as an extension of the hallway gallery.

With their Niagara Image Gallery situated on the way into town for many visitors, Peterson and Morrison are accustomed to providing advice on where to go in NOTL. Likewise, Hurov feels it’s part of 124 on Queen’s responsibility to promote local artists and help build up the arts community in NOTL.

“Tanya will use her great talent and connection with our amazing community to see which pieces make the most sense for the next exhibit,” says Hurov.

“Together, it will be good to see what fits,” Peterson adds. “We want to make the gallery a real extension of the hotel.” 

Tickets for the April 19 opening of Lake Life at 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa are $40 and include a beverage and items from the hotel’s menu. For tickets, email [email protected].