A breath of fresh art

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This article was published 13/08/2024 (794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mary Louise Chown can’t recall a time when art wasn’t a part of her life. Growing up, she always had a pencil or paintbrush in hand, instinctively capturing the world around her.

“I’ve always drawn and painted,” says Chown, now 79. “Even as a child, it was just something I did, and it’s stayed with me all my life.”

“In the 1980s, I decided to take my art more seriously, and that’s when I started to really delve into different media.”

Her work is as diverse as her curiosity, spanning printmaking, drawing, batik, acrylics, oils and collage.

“I work with wax in batik, on either paper or material, and I also paint on wood, canvas and even glass. I also do a lot of storytelling,” she says. “I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of trying something new.”

Today, Chown’s art is featured in the Manitoba Rural and Northern Juried Art Show at 210 Princess St. She’s showcasing two pieces, Great Grey Owl — Silent Flyer and The Underground Band of the Wood Wide Web.

For Chown, who lives in River Hills, the exhibition is more than just an opportunity to display her art; it’s a chance to connect with a broader audience.

Chown is currently immersed in the Boreal Shores art tour, a commitment that keeps her from visiting the show just yet. “Until that is over, I can’t get into town to see the art show,” she says. “But I think it’s going to be really interesting to see art from rural and northern artists. Our surroundings are somewhat different, and it’s going to be interesting to see if that makes a difference in the art.”

The annual show, presented by the Manitoba Arts Network (MAN), is the province’s only exhibition dedicated solely to rural and northern artists. This year’s event features more than 50 artists from across Manitoba, displaying a rich variety of media, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media and textiles.

‘It’s quite a varied and unique show that I don’t think you’ll see anywhere else in Winnipeg,” says Rose-Anne Harder, the executive director of MAN. “Being able to engage with visual artists from across the province is pretty amazing.”

Harder emphasizes that the show serves as a crucial platform for people like Chown, bridging the gap between rural artists and the city’s vibrant arts scene.

The selection process is rigorous, with professional jurors choosing the featured works from regional art shows across Manitoba.

This year’s jurors — Jenny Smirl, Diana Thorneycroft and Ben Davis — selected the top pieces from regions including Eastman, Westman and Norman, as well as from an open call in areas where regional shows were not held.

“There’s everything from landscapes to portraits to animals to abstract, beading, sculptures, pottery,” Harder says. “It’s a great chance to connect and talk with the rural artists.”

The exhibition is being held in a new gallery space this year, a significant upgrade from the previous venue. “This new space really allows the art to breathe,” Harder says.

Among the artists featured this year is Jeffray Stepaniuk, a 61-year-old biologist from The Pas. His journey back into painting after a 28-year hiatus has been nothing short of interesting.

“I wouldn’t have entered at all if it weren’t for a couple of friends in The Pas who saw me painting and suggested that I should,” he says.

Stepaniuk’s scientific background deeply influences his art, particularly his focus on wildlife. His piece Arcopallium Advance, which won third place in the competition, was inspired by his research on the ruffed grouse, a bird species in Manitoba.

“We were doing some brain research on the ruffed grouse, and I learned that part of the bird’s brain, the arcopallium, increases in size by up to 30 per cent in the spring and fall,” he explains.

This adaptation allows the birds to beat their wings rapidly, a behaviour crucial during mating and territorial displays. “I thought it was a great species to represent the North and use as a tool to teach new conservation and game bird officers.”

Despite his scientific approach, Stepaniuk finds that art offers a refreshing escape from the demands of his career.

“It gave me a cheap, economical release and outlet in today’s world, where everything’s just about cost-prohibitive,” he says. “Art’s an amazing discipline to me, especially as a scientist.”

Winning third place at the show has been a humbling experience for Stepaniuk, who has no formal training in art. He encourages others to visit and see what can be achieved with just a few dollars’ worth of paint.

“Getting down to the art show and seeing what’s capable is something that I think everyone should do,” he says. “Even if they can’t buy any art, it doesn’t matter. Go and look at it and enjoy it. It’s really good to be in the presence of art, whatever form it is. People just feel good.”

The Manitoba Rural and Northern Juried Art Show runs until Aug. 25, with many of the pieces available for sale. The opening reception on Saturday offers artist talks, greetings and a chance for attendees to mingle with the artists and discuss their work.

thandi.vera@freepress.mb.ca