The many faces of a Portage artist

Portage la Prairie artist Lee Beaton is mixing old and new work in her upcoming exhibit, 1000 Faces Hidden Within, at the Portage & District Arts Council’s gallery.

Beaton’s show at the gallery (11-2nd St. NE) runs from July 18 to Aug. 26 with an opening reception planned for Thurs., July 20 at 7 p.m.

She said the inspiration for her show dates back to 2014 when she participated in a mentorship program with Brandon artist Barb Flemington. However some of the images featured were created as far back as 2006.

Beaton said she framed some of her 5x7-inch portraits from that time, but also wanted to display ones that she hadn’t framed.

"I had to come up with another way to display them," Beaton said.

She is working on a Fine Arts degree from the University of Brandon and incorporated skills she learned in a visual design course to combine portraits with other elements such as fabric samples and twisted wire.

She said that some pieces are created in multiple layers, like a book.

An installation piece includes old yearbook covers mixed with her watercolour portraits.
"The pieces are evolving every time I do one," she said when interviewed a few weeks before her show opens.

Beaton, who works as PDAC’s marketing manager, has previously shown her work at the gallery and as part of group exhibitions at galleries in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.

For more information, see www.portageartscentre.ca or call 204-239-6029.

— Staff