Summer 2023 - Exhibitions & Programs

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147 Lochiel Street

Sarnia, Ontario N7T 0B4 519-336-8127

jnaag.ca

GALLERY HOURS

Monday & Tuesday .............. Closed to Public

Wednesday & Friday* ............ 11:00AM–4:00PM

Thursday ........................ 11:00AM–8:30PM

Saturday & Sunday** ............. 11:00AM–4:00PM

*Open First Fridays until 9:00PM

**Open Sundays May 28–September 3

HOLIDAY HOURS

*Victoria Day, Monday May 22, 1:00–4:00PM

*Canada Day, Saturday, July 1, 11:00AM–4:00PM

*see Youth / Family Programs on pages 14–15

NOTICE OF CLOSURE DATES

The gallery will be closed August 7 & September 4

ADMISSION

Art is for everyone.

Admission is free.

Donations are welcome.

April 14 – September 9, 2023

Opening: First Friday, April 14 | 6:00-9:00PM

Members reception: First Friday, May 5 | 7:00-9:00PM | Artist will be present

Live music, drinks, and light snacks

John Hartman, Cherie Dimalin,

John Hartman has long been interested in the connection between people and place With this most recent body of work he has captured the intimate relationship Canadian authors have with their personal places of inspiration .

Born in 1950, Hartman grew up in Midland, Ontario and studied Fine Art at McMaster University, Hamilton His artwork is represented in the collections of over 40 museums and public art galleries across Canada and to date seven books have been published on his artwork . He has won numerous awards and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2002 and named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2021 . Learn more at jnaag.ca.

This exhibition has been organized and circulated by the Woodstock Art Gallery a division of the Culture Department of the City of Woodstock, Ontario

Art & Ideas: In Conversation with John Hartman

Saturday, June 3 @ 11:00AM (see page 10 for details)

John Hartman, Michael Winter above Bradley’s

“A remarkable mosaic of the literary and physical space of Canada.”

– Ian M. Thom

April 14 – September 9, 2023

Opening: First Friday, April 14 | 6:00-9:00PM

Members reception: First Friday, May 5 | 7:00-9:00PM | Artist will be present

Live music, drinks, and light snacks

Nico Williams, Bingo (Orange) (detail), 2019; glass beads

Photo credit: Guy L’Heureux

Nico Williams is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice is centered around sculptural beadwork . Using the bright, tactile materiality and relational nature of beadwork, his practice looks at the ways we live through connections with objects, place, and language . Often in collaboration and community with others, he makes sculptures that are sometimes highly patterned abstracted geometric forms, sometimes sparkling representations of familiar objects, and always hand-woven from hundreds of glass beads

Williams ᐅᑌᒥᐣ (b . 1989) is Anishinaabe and member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation community . He is currently working in Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang | Montréal . His work has been shown internationally and across Canada and his practice has been featured by National Geographic (2018) and CBC (2021) His work is housed in prominent public collections and his first public sculpture, Monument to the Brave, was commissioned in 2020 by the Sick Kids Foundation . Learn more at jnaag.ca .

Art & Ideas: In Conversation with Nico Williams Saturday, May 6 @ 11:00AM (see page 10 for details)

Nico Williams, Parle Français, 2023; glass beads Photo credit: Richard-Max Tremblay

“With roots in traditional creative practices, beadwork puts me in dialogue with my ancestors.”

– Nico Williams

May 5, 2023 – July 23, 2023

Opening: First Friday, May 5 | 6:00-9:00PM

Re View is a series of six exhibitions which act as a collective celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery in its current location. Each exhibit places the gallery’s permanent collection in the spotlight and features a range of artworks accompanied by audio tours written and voiced by gallery volunteers.

Members receive exclusive access to audio tours and content. See page 21.

Future Community Blueprint

What do you imagine life in Sarnia Lambton might be like in the future?

Over the past months this question has been used to direct visitors at JNAAG to consider how we as a community might design the future A selection of designs will create a virtual visualization of what we as a community have drafted for our future

Reveal takes place May 5, 2023.

Pegi Nicol MacLeod, Hope, 1948; oil on Masonite From the collection of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery

Teens across Lambton County have been making creatively inspired photographs of the people who call Lambton home in response to this year’s Teen Photo Contest theme “Humans of Lambton”.

In this exhibit a juried selection of submissions appear alongside photographs by Steven Livick from JNAAG’s permanent collection Livick was inspired by people he encountered at fairs, carnivals, festivals, and amusement parks on a drive from Timmons, Ontario into parts of the United States in the 1980’s .

This exhibition is a community arts initiative, and continuation of the Take Your Shot Teen Photo Contest with Lambton County Library See page 13 for more details

Stephen Livick, #81348, 1981; gum

Art & Ideas

Art & Ideas, a thought-provoking series of presentations, offers an enriching complement to the current exhibitions by drawing meaningful connections to the themes explored in them Through engaging discussions with prominent artists and experts, Art & Ideas provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the inspiration, techniques, and perspectives behind the art on display

In Conversation with Nico Williams

Saturday, May 6 @ 11:00AM

Free | In-person | Registration required

Limited space

Join artist Nico Williams for a discussion about the inspirations behind his exhibition Biskaabiiyang | Returning to Ourselves .

The talk will take place in the exhibition space See page 6 for exhibit details .

Future Imagining with Mark Reinhart

Thursday, May 25 @ 7:00PM

Free | In-person | Registration required

Join artist and instigator Mark Reinhart for conversation and collaboration . Using a mix of materials and guided by the community insight collected as part of the Future Community Blueprint project, we will work collaboratively to build a physical representation of what we imagine downtown Sarnia to be in the future .

In Conversation with John Hartman

Saturday, June 3 @ 11:00AM

Free | In-person | Registration required

Limited space

John Hartman will give a talk about some of the key portraits in the exhibition, Many Lives Mark This Place, and how this series of portraits of Canadian authors and the places that are important to each of them came about

The talk will take place in the exhibition space See page 4 for exhibit details .

For program and event registration, call 519-336-8127 ext. 3231, or visit jnaag.ca.

Adult Workshops

Sketching the Landscape Watercolour Painting with John Hartman

Sunday, June 4 | 11:00AM – 3:00PM

$50 (+tax)

Members discount available

Snacks and supplies included

Participants are welcome to bring their own brushes and watercolour paints if they desire.

Join artist John Hartman for a 4-hour outdoor art exploration of Sarnia’s downtown waterfront Working with small scale portable materials, you will learn to work quickly to record the light and shapes you see before they change . The workshop will focus on sketching techniques using watercolours Suitable for the intermediate watercolour painter. Participants will spend time outside working en plein air . This event is rain or shine . .

Intro to Beading with Mo Thunder

Sunday, July 16 | 1:00–4:00PM

$50 (+tax)

Members discount available

Snacks and supplies included

Mo will share some basic beading techniques and folks will receive their own beading bundle with everything they need to get started and continue at their own pace afterward

No experience necessary!

Art & Books Club

Free | Registration required

Adult & Teen

JNAAG has collaborated with Sarnia Library to create a book club for art lovers and avid readers alike . Book selections are made to connect to themes in current exhibitions to enrich conversations at the library and JNAAG .

A Tale for the Time Being

by Ruth Ozeki

Thursday, May 18

2:00 PM

Book club discussion at Sarnia Library

3:00 PM

Exhibit tour at JNAAG

Visit jnaag.ca to read the book summary.

When We Lost Our Heads

by Heather O’Neill

Thursday, August 17

2:00 PM

Book club discussion at Sarnia Library

3:00 PM

Exhibit tour at JNAAG

Visit jnaag.ca to read the book summary.

Ages 13–18

Submission deadline: July 9, 2023

Call for submissions is now open for the Take Your Shot Teen Photo Contest . This year’s theme is “Humans of Lambton” and participants aged 13-18, and living in Lambton-County, are encouraged to make creatively inspired photographs of the people who call Lambton home Each teen may submit up to five photographs

Three subcategories make up this year’s “Humans of Lambton” theme:

• Groups

• Candid’s / Environmental

• Creative / Fine Art

The submission deadline is 11:59PM on July 9, 2023, and all participants are encouraged to take time creating their photographs to ensure they submit their best work . Supportive workshops and presentations are offered by both Lambton County Library and the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery to help photographers develop their skills . See RAAW Photography

July 4–6 (page 16 for details)

All Ages

Holiday Art Drop-in

May Flowers Up-Close with Riley Shortt

Victoria Day | May 22 | 1:00-3:00PM | Drop-in

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Free | Suggested donation $5/family

April showers bring May flowers Examine flower anatomy and its influence on creating art . Examine flowers close-up with magnifying glasses then use inks and pens to create beautiful abstract artworks influenced by those magnified views .

Family Saturday Studio Drop-in

Saturdays | 1:00–3:00PM | Drop-in

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Free | Suggested material donation $5/family

Discover, create, and get curious – every Saturday afternoon we are working on something in the art studio All families are welcome to drop-in for a short artist facilitated studio activity inspired by the current exhibitions . The same activity will be offered for every Saturday in each month

Tracing Faces

June 3, 10, 17, 24

Explore portraiture and drawing with this activity . Have fun with colourful oil pastels as you experience how contour and shading work together to create dimension in your portrait drawing .

Thinking in Pixels

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

A pixel is one of the small dots or squares that make up an image typically on a computer screen This month, we’ll be creating images with pixels in the real world . Using fusible beads, we’ll show you how to design and create your own pixelated artwork .

Cyanotype Portraits

August 5, 12, 19, 26

Cyanotypes are one of the oldest photographic printing processes in the history of photography . The distinctive feature of the print is its shade of cyan blue, which results from exposure to ultraviolet light . Layer objects and premade photo negatives to create a blue and white photograph .

Favourite Things Collage

September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

What are some of the things around you that make you happy? In this activity participants will layer shapes and textures to create a mixed media collage of their favourite things .

Summer RAAW

Free | Give what you can | Registration required

Ages 14-18

Random Acts of Art Workshop (RAAW) is a multi-day intensive workshop designed for teens interested in exploring art making . Led by practicing professional artists, RAAW is the perfect balance of instruction and experimentation No experience necessary

RAAW Photography

July 4–6 | 11:00AM–3:00PM

Explore pure imagination in this three-day photography workshop Award-winning photographer Sierra Rei Hart will guide you to create interesting compositions, perfect lighting and express story telling through the eye of your camera After learning to take great photographs, you will then explore post-production editing to enhance your creations and bring your imagination to life .

Participants are encouraged and will be guided to submit up to five photos to the “Take Your Shot” Teen Photo Contest .

For program and event registration, call 519-336-8127 ext. 3231, or visit jnaag.ca.

RAAW Make It Big

July 10–14

11:00AM–3:00PM

Prepare yourself for a larger-than-life experience . In this weeklong studio program, join Dave Doucette and Elise McDonald to create giant sculptures inspired by everyday objects using reclaimed materials . Bring the object or a picture of your small size inspiration on the first day .

RAAW Mural Creation

July 17–21

11:00AM–4:00PM

Join artists Mo Thunder and Kennady Rayn in the art studio to experience the creative process of mural painting from start to finish . Work collectively to create a mural design centered around the concept ‘Community in Full Colour’ and explore various painting techniques as you create a mural for the JNAAG’s art studio wall .

Ages 9-13

TNT Summer Splash

August 8–11 | 9:00AM–4:00PM

FREE | Suggested donation of $10/day | Registration required Bring your lunch, snacks and water bottle.

Develop your creative skills, make new friends, and explore your community This program led by local artist Patricia Cook, is filled with a variety of exciting new experiences that will allow youth to discover new passions

Tuesday, August 8: Drawing and Mark Making

Wednesday, August 9: Printmaking and Painting

Thursday, August 10:

Felting and Fiber Art

Friday, August 11: Mixed Media Sculpture

Inspirational Moments

A specialized art program for people with dementia and their care partner

JNAAG develops exclusive exhibition tours and hands on art activities in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton . No experience required To learn more or register contact Vanessa Barnes (519) 332-4444

jobPath

jobPath is an Employment Discovery Workshop for work-ready people who have a disability jobPath not only helps people with a disability find a job but specializes in coaching people on how to keep their job and remain successful at work . To learn more or register email: info@employment-transitions com

First Fridays

Visit jnaag .ca for details on First Friday events .

Volunteer Recruitment

The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery is seeking volunteers to join our dedicated and enthusiastic team of art lovers . As members of the JNAAG team volunteers help with a variety of important initiatives including supporting the art studio, special events, tours, and gallery animating

Currently several positions are available and opportunities vary depending on one’s interests and skill set If you have a passion for art, JNAAG invites you to attend one of its upcoming volunteer information sessions:

Wednesday, August 23, 12:00–12:45PM

Thursday, August 24, 6:30–7:15PM

Registration is required . Drop-ins are welcome if space allows .

For more information on the volunteer program and to register for an information session visit the volunteer page at jnaag .ca .

Membership

You can make a difference We depend on our members and donors for everything we do: from bringing thought-provoking exhibitions to Lambton County, to the delivery of educational programs that inspire young and old, to the preservation and growth of the permanent collection .

1 Year 2 Year

Individual $20 $35

Senior (60+) $15 $25

Couples $25 $45

Family $30 $55

Student $15 $25

Membership Benefits:

• Invitation to Members Only events

• 10% discount on gallery purchases including classes, programs, publications, and facility rentals

• Reciprocal admission to participating museums and art galleries in Ontario via www oaag org

You can also add to your experience by joining one of our additional membership levels:

$100 – A J Casson $500 – Tom Thomson

$250 – Emily Carr

$1,000 – Contributors Circle

Additional Benefits can include:

• NARM Membership*

• Ability to bring guests to exclusive Members Only events

• A 15%-25% discount on gallery purchases including classes, programs, publications, and facility rentals

• JNAAG produced exhibition catalogues

• And much more!

*North American Reciprocal Membership Program (NARM): The NARM program provides you with reciprocal membership privileges to over 600 museums and art galleries across North America For the full list of participating organizations please visit narmassociation org

A Family Palette

Frances-Anne Johnston, Franklin Arbuckle and Franz Johnston

October 6, 2023 – March 17, 2024

A Family Palette brings together for the first time the work of Frances-Anne Johnston, Franz Johnston and Franklin Arbuckle – three artists from the same family Acting as a purposeful feminist recovery project, the exhibition focuses more deeply on Frances-Anne From this perspective, the exhibit considers the distinct practices of all three artists and how they intersect and diverge .

The exhibition dives into themes of Canadian artist couples and patrilineal relationships, as well as legacies of the Group of Seven, by telling the story of a talented artistic family

Visit jnaag .ca for more information .

Frances-Anne Johnston, Still Life with Flowering Begonia, 1967; oil on Masonite

the collection for the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery Purchased with Sarnia Industries Art Fund

This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada

This exhibition was also realized with the support of the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts

This exhibition is organized and circulated by Ottawa Art Gallery and curated by Rebecca Basciano

Frances-Anne Johnston, Arrangement in Blue and Green, n d , oil on canvas board, 60 9 x 45 8 cm Collection of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Gift of Richardson Greenshields of Canada Ltd ., 1984, 1984JF88 .

Photo: Lesli Michaelis Reproduced courtesy of the Estate