Selected Artists / 2024
BERNIE HRYTZAK • Wood Artist • 22911 Eastlawn Rd, Chatham
BRENDA HENRY • Dragonfly Stained Glass • 1028 James St., Wallaceburg
BRENDA BAUTE • Painter • 7372 Grand River Line, Chatham
CHRISTY OBALEK • Christy Obalek Illustration • 746-B Richmond Street (Planet Print Inc.)
FRANÇOIS GRENIER • Ceramic Artist • 20 First St., Chatham
GALE NIGEL STEADMAN • Driftwood Artist • 20466 Lagoon Road, Blenheim (Red Barn Brewing Co.)
IRENE MACCREADIE • Potter and Fine Artist • 20 First St., Chatham
ISABELLE MILOT • Pottery Artist • 20 First St., Chatham
JANET JOHNSTON • Pottery Artist • 20 First St., Chatham
JOANNE MORRIS • Whispering Pines Arts & Crafts Studio • 343 Gillard St., Wallaceburg
JUWELS LEGARDI • Multi Media Artist • 100 King St W, Chatham (DCC Mall)
LEE HIGHGATE • Glass, Vintage and Whimsy Art Studio • 10130 Base Line, Dresden
LINDA LEIGH • The Cracked Pot Studio • 3-144 Riverview Dr., Chatham
LORIE THIBAULT • Ink Sketch Artist • 5-562 Grand Ave. East, Chatham
MARGARET GOUGH • Baldoon Fleece and Fibre Co. • 100 King St W, Chatham (DCC Mall)
MILISSA MAGWOOD • Milissa Magwood Eco-Friendly Fashion • 100 King Street W., Chatham (DCC Mall)
PENELOPE DUCHESNE • Painter • 130 Park St., Chatham
PETER MOFFAT • Two Tales and a Mouse • 3-444 Riverview Dr., Chatham
RUTH REEB • Painter • 43 Stonegate Walk, Chatham
SALLY JOYCE • Painter • 72 Baldoon Rd Wallaceburg,
SEAN IONS • 20466 Lagoon Road, Blenheim (Red Barn Brewing Co.)
SHEILA WHITE • Kitchen Wood Etc. • 10130 Base Line, Dresden
SHELLEY WEBSTER • Shelley’s Earth Art • 100 King St W, Chatham (DCC Mall)
SHERRIE PIENS • Sculptor/Painter • 30 Mary Street, Chatham
KAROLINA MCCART, MICHAEL GARLAND, ASHELY EARTHCUILD, SCOTT TAYOLOR
Underground Film Collective • 55 Forest St., Suite-E, Chatham
Participating Galleries / 2024
Art And Heirloom Shoppe
137 King St. West Chatham
Victoria Park Place Shelter, 5 Artists
75 William St N, Chatham (Studio One at Tag)
The Mary Webb Centre for the Arts
87 Main St W, Highgate
The Studio Art Gallery
159 Brown St., Dresden
The Rotary Wheelhouse - Student Art Exhibition
547 North Street, Dresden
Bernie Hrytzak
Wood Artist
22911 Eastlawn Rd, Chatham
Bernie Hrytzak is a wood artist from Chatham, Ont. who uses a wood lathe in his creations to spin pieces into art such as vases, whimsical music instruments or whimsicall characters. His endevours include development of the processes necessary to create original designs in wood.
He has ben following his passions since 2006 when he purchased a larger lathe and joined the Thames Valley Woodturners Guild in London, Ont.
Bernie also belongs to the American Association of Woodturners, a club of 16,000 members with which he has won many awards.
Brenda Baute
Painter
7372 Grand River Line, Chatham
Brenda is a self-taught painter who draws inspiration from the natural world and the work of Vincent Van Gogh, the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson. Although she has dabbled in drawing and watercolour, her true love is oil and the creamy richness and vibrancy it allows. She often paints “alla prima,” meaning “at first attempt” or all in one sitting.
Brenda has been interested in art since her childhood in Smiths Falls, Ontario, where she often painted outside on pieces of masonite primed with house paint. A Chatham-Kent resident since the late ’70s, Brenda has returned to her love of painting with renewed focus since entering retirement. She sees her work as a celebration of nature’s beauty.
Brenda Henry
Dragonfly Stained Glass
1028 James St., Wallaceburg
Brenda Henry is the owner of Dragonfly Stained Glass and resides in Wallaceburg. She is an International and award winning stained glass artist and is also a resident artist at The Studio Art Gallery in Dresden.
She is known locally for the design and creation of the permanent installation at the Wallaceburg & District Museum, honouring the 105 year history of the Wallaceburg Glass Factory and the people who worked there.
Brenda works out of her studio where she specializes in creating stained glass art for home and business and has been commissioned for personal pieces that have significant importance to many.
She teaches classes, sharing her knowledge and passion of the art with her students and enjoys the creativity and pride they show in their finished project.
Christy Obalek
Christy Obalek Illustration
746-B Richmond Street, Chatham (Planet Print Inc.)
Christy is an author and illustrator specializing in picture books. Her lively, sketchy pencil drawings and watercolour paintings are born of the close connection between the artist and nature.
Christy brings to the table over 30 years of illustration experience working with clients from all over the map: her art has been published by Thames & Hudson (Australia), licensed by Macy's department store (NYC), and most recently the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Christy comes from a theatrical/dance background, sees the sunny side of almost any situation and has donned many creative hats such as dancer, vocalist, movie extra, and makeup artist. Some of her favourite past musical roles include “Judy” in White Christmas where she got to tap-dance on a mini piano, and one of the Merry Murderesses in Chicago (he had it coming!) Her childhood was spent in Australia before moving home to Canada in the early 90s. Christy is an avid birder and volunteers her time to citizen-science projects such as SwiftWatch and the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. The time spent in the field observing and sketching has deepened her understanding of the natural world - which is realized in her stories and art. Whether in expressive realism or whimsical illustrations, there is always something waiting to be imagined.
François Grenier
Ceramic Artist
20 First St., Chatham
François Grenier is a ceramic artist living and working in Chatham, ON. His current works focuses on large low-fire, hand-built vessels with complex textured surfaces. He uses clay as a canvas to create forms which play with tension in their lines and balance while pushing the textures enveloping them to their maximum visual possibility. In the past two years, he has been exploring acrylic and watercolour geometric abstractionism and transfers those studies onto his vessels. His vessels and sculptures have dry, matte surfaces that put depth and tactile experiences to the forefront. He is presently developing a new line of functional ware.
Irene MacCreadie
Potter and Fine Artist
20 First St., Chatham
Irene MacCreadie was born in Glasgow Scotland. She emigrated to Wallaceburg, ON with her family in the 1980’s. After studying art and design at Lambton College she went on to the University of Windsor earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Education. Irene has worked in arts education and arts administration for over 20 years and is currently the programme coordinator at The Thames Art Gallery, Chatham, ON.
As an immigrant she is interested in place and connection to place and in her artistic production she works between clay and painting.
Isabelle Milot
Pottery Artist
20 First St., Chatham
Isabelle Milot has been working with clay for over a decade and continues to enjoy the versatility this medium affords the maker. From functional ware to Japanese raku technique and coloured porcelain slip casting, Isabelle loves exploring various approaches and never ceases to be amazed by the range and inspiration clay provides.
Janet Johnston
Pottery Artist
20 First St., Chatham
I’ve always loved to create things. When I discovered pottery, I fell in love with the idea that I could make something, then have the pleasure of using it every single day. I love the feel of a hand thrown mug. Pottery is a form of art that needs to be touched. My hope is that others can find joy in using my pieces, feeling the tiny ridges formed by the fingers that created them and seeing the way the glazes run together.
Juwels LeGardi
Multi Media Artist
100 King Street, W., Chatham (DCC Mall)
From childhood, Juwels’ creative and artist talents were encouraged by her parents, both of whom were accomplished artists themselves.
Juwels’ ability to work in different mediums, which include sculpting, painting, graphic design, photography, and fashion design has shown her creative diversity. With her career on the rise, Juwels suffered a devastating car accident and rehabbed for 10 years. Her strong character helped her battle through this adversity and in 2013 she relocated from Toronto to the rural community of Chatham-Kent, which to this day, she calls her home. Juwels is once again displaying her talents as she puts her artistic creations on canvas. She is excited to unveil her first works of art in more than 21 years.
Lee Highgate
Glass, Vintage & Whimsy
10130 Base Line, Dresden
Lee has an Honours BA and B.Ed from Western University. He spent 31 years as an art and drama teacher at Lambton Central Collegiate in Petrolia, ON.
Today, his primary medium is glass on glass mosaic but he has also worked in watercolour, oil & chalk pastel, ink and pencil. Glass on glass mosaic art differs from soldered stained glass in that the pieces are glued to a sheet of clear glass and grouted, no solder is used. This allows for smaller shapes to be utilized. Glass on glass mosaics can be hung in a window or on a wall as a traditional painting.
"I find stained glass offers a glorious colour palette and an equally wide range of textures. The reflective nature of glass, the play of light and the movement gives it a sense of life and energy. It is truly and exciting medium to work with. My subject matter is wide ranging and varied although, as a avid gardener, I lean toward the loose organic shapes of nature. I am intrigued by the colours, textures and shapes of flowers and trees. Those small details and intricate arrangements that are often overlooked, interest me."
Linda Leigh
Potter/Mixed Media Artist
The Cracked Pot Studio
3-444 Riverview Drive, Chatham
Linda has been “potting” and producing mixed-media work since 1977, and thoroughly enjoys the freedom of hand-building in clay and the discipline of throwing on the wheel equally. While studying Visual Arts at the University of Western Ontario, Linda enhanced her art experience by taking night courses in pottery at H.B. Beal Technical School.
A graduate from Western, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts, and further education in Therapeutic Recreation from Waterloo University, Linda returned to Chatham in 1980, continuing to work in therapeutics, and study and teach pottery, drawing, water-colour painting, and black and white photography, while actively supporting the London, Sarnia/Lambton and Chatham/Kent Potters Guilds. In 2010, Linda opened “The Cracked Pot Studio” on Riverview Dr. in Chatham where she continues to create, sell and teach in many media. The majority of Linda’s clay work is produced in stoneware, encouraging everyday use of her pieces which are micro-wave, dishwasher, and oven-ware safe. Her love of nature, her family, and her faith in God continue to inspire Linda’s varied creations. More of Linda’s work can be seen on her Gallery Facebook Page “The Cracked Pot Studio”, her web page thecrackedpotstudio.ca and in local gift shops, Out-door juried shows and Art Galleries.
Lorie Thibault
Ink Sketch Artist
5-562 Grand Ave. East, Chatham
Lorie was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. She began her art career as a student at the University of Western Ontario. She transferred to the University of Waterloo where she obtained an Honour Bachelor of Fine Arts (studio specialization) and then went on to continue her education at the University of Windsor where she obtained a Bachelor of Education and her Ontario Teaching Certificate.
Lorie taught art and history in Chatham-Kent for several years
until she began her family.
She has been an active member in the art community in
Chatham- Kent for many years. Lorie has been an exhibiting member at ARTspace since it opened in 2008 and continues to be an exhibiting member to this day. She has had several solo exhibitions at ARTspace and has participated in many of the community arts initiatives. Lorie has been in several of the juried art exhibitions in Chatham-Kent as well as in the Leamington area. There are collections of her work across Ontario as well as in the UK.
Lorie continues to practice her craft, working mainly in pen and ink from her studio in Chatham-Kent.
Margaret Gough
Baldoon Fleece and Fiber Co.
100 King Street, W., Chatham (DCC Mall)
Margaret has always had a passion for yarn. She learned how to knit and crochet from the time she could hold a pencil. Many hours of her childhood were spent knitting and crocheting with her mother and grandmother.
Over the past 10 years she has shifted her creative process to a more environmentally friendly focus on natural and sustainable fibers. She is a self-taught spinner, weaver, and dyer. Margaret processes locally sourced natural fibers by hand in her artwork. She often can be seen at local events demonstrating the art of spinning and weaving on her antique spinning wheels and loom. Margaret is a published author and regular contributor of Fiber Focus Magazine published by Ontario Handweavers and Spinners
Milissa Magwood
Eco-Friendly Fashion
100 King Street, W., Chatham (DCC Mall)
Discover our chic and sustainable fabrics. Live and Travel with ease and style. Join the green fashion movement. Experience the fusion of high art and sustainable luxury. Each piece in our collection is a testament to ethical fashion, crafted with the finest recycled materials.
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Sustainability Meets Sophistication
As a digital artist, Milissa Magwood infuses each design with creative passion, delivering more than just style— a statement. Our made-to-order fashion line celebrates the conscientious spirit, sourcing only premium vegan materials for the discerning individual.
Machine Washable for Effortless Care
Proudly Made in Canada
Penelope Duchesne
Painter
130 Park St., Chatham
Penelope is French Canadian born and raised in Montreal.She graduated as a Fashion Designer and moved to Chatham-kent in 1995.Penelope passion for flowers, architecture and food reflects in her work. Her love of life, nature and beauties come alive with each painting she created… Her art work is a careful testimony of the precious life cycle that revolves around her and its fragility. Penelope works with Acrylic and paint on large canvas. She is self taught and is constantly working to improve her techniques. She paints from the picture she takes in her gardens and from her visuals observations of her subject from growing and taking care of them. In the future Penelope plans on painting more of the florals but also hoping to start offering limited prints editions to broader audiences.
Ruth Reeb
Painter
43 Stonegate Walk, Chatham
Ruth attended the Ontario College of Art and Design in the early70’s. Her first solo Exhibit was in Stratford, Ontario at a small private gallery while still attending art school. Continuing to take various workshops, lessons, and the involvement with arts organizations, have all contributed to honing her technique , sharpening skills and perfecting a personal style. Participating in juried shows in Toronto, Niagara, London and Windsor has resulted in sales In Canada, Japan, Australia and Germany.
Form and Colour, a whimsical style, with a dose of spontaneity are consistent themes throughout my work. The love of nature in all it’s unpredictability, yet so refreshing continues to be the inspiration that my work is built around, creating pieces that will hopefully invite the onlooker to see things differently. At present, I am using dyes, acrylic/ mixed media in a somewhat abstract application to portray the subject and movement within. Still learning, forever changing, growth is inevitable.
Sheila White
Kitchen Wood Etc.
10130 Base Line, Dresden
I have an addiction to power tools and wood.
I grew up in Dresden and worked in the family construction company for several years. The urge to build things grew while sitting at a desk just steps away from a shop full of tools. There was a family policy of never hiring someone to do something you could do yourself ... and of course you didn't know what you could (or couldn't) do until you tried. I started making the odd thing for myself or family and gradually built my own collection of tools. I began Kitchen Wood Etc. in 2018 after my husband requested an end grain cutting board. The “Etc.” was included because I knew I didn’t want to limit myself to only kitchen items. I’d been wanting to try using a lathe for some time so I could add things like bowls and pepper mills to my product list.
Shelley Webster
Shelley’s Earth Art
100 King Street, W., Chatham (DCC Mall)
Shelley makes remarkable art using bits and pieces found in nature.
Having studied at Fanshawe College in London, ON, I began creating many forms of art including pet portraits, window painting, beach glass creations and pebble art. I've lived in Chatham all my life. Besides making art, I love collecting art as well.
Sherrie Piens
Sculptor/Painter
3-444 Riverview Dr., Chatham
Sherrie’s work has been shown at the Walkerville art gallery in Windsor, Mary Webb Centre in Highgate, Thames Art Gallery in Chatham, Wallaceburg art gallery, Leamington Art Centre and at Art and Heirlooms Shoppe in Chatham.
Sherrie was a resident artist at Art and Heirlooms for the year 2022.
Underground Film Collective
Analogue photography development and printing
55 Forest Street, Suite -E, Chatham
A group of local photographers have created a new studio experience in Chatham-Kent with the goal of sharing their love and expertise of analogue photography development and printing. It is an intimate photography studio. A one of a kind experience for Chatham-Kent.
Suite-E holds 4 different artists, Michael, Scott, Ashley and Karolina, with unique photography skills, styles and goals.
One year ago, The Underground Film Collective, had their first exhibition as a group in our hometown gallery ARTspace. They showed Chatham what Rayograms are and answered everyone’s exciting questions about the process. Now, one year later and after final touches to complete their new studio and dark room, they are ready for booking!
You will have the opportunity to meet the artists of the The Underground Film Collective of Chatham and Inkataurus Photography, and see the space they have created and what they have been working on.
Artists:
Michael Garland
Scott Taylor
Ashley Earthchild
Inka Taurus
Underground Film Collective
The Mary Webb Centre for the Arts
Victoria Park Place Shelter - 5 Artists
75 William St. N, Chatham (TAG Studio One)