Tag: exhibitions

Lisa Johnson Takes Your Breath Away at Westland Gallery

by Richard Young

Reviewed by Beth Stewart

(Lisa Johnson, Photo – Westland Gallery.)

Lisa Johnson’s recent artist residency in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, is the driving force behind her Full Circle exhibition at Westland Gallery.

While this was Johnson’s third month-long residency at Pouch Cove, this time was different.

In 2021 and 2022, she recalls clambering over rocks and sitting amongst lichen and berries to sketch. This time, she went to Pouch Cove during an East Coast winter, where the conditions are challenging and the landscape is stark. She encountered nature at its most elemental.

Johnson was excited to do a winter residency to bear witness to the dramatic contrast of snow against the black coastal rocks. It is a location she describes as “transcendent” and “raw”, alluding to its timelessness.

Wearing long johns and a parka, and with crampons on her boots to keep from slipping, Johnson was able to go out for hikes, drawing, and even a bit of plein air painting.

(Lisa Johnson, The Painter and the Poet. oil on canvas, 32 by 40 inches. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

On a typical day, she would paint in the studio first thing in the morning and later, if it warmed up a bit, go out for a hike either on her own or with other Pouch Cove residency artists. Returning to her studio, she’d paint for the remainder of the day on large canvases she’d stapled to the walls.

Charcoal gesture drawings have always been an important part of her practice; she loves their simplicity and energy. With this series of paintings, she aimed to achieve a similar aesthetic using oil paint on canvas. The resulting work is pared down to the point of abstraction.

It is an approach that perfectly captures the starkness of the landscape in winter and the drama of this Eastern coastline. It is evident in two oil-on-canvas pieces: “Drawing on Memories” and “Aerie”.

(Lisa Johnson, “Drawing on Memories” oil on canvas 22 by 24 inches. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

(Lisa Johnson, “Aerie”, oil on canvas, 40 by 38 inches. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

A particularly striking piece is “Silent Drift”, measuring 40-by-30-inches, it has an oriental flavour with its ink-like markings, flattened perspective, and preserved white space.

(Lisa Johnson, “Silent Drift”, oil on canvas, 40 by 30 inches. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

Full Circle includes landscape paintings created during this residency as well as work inspired by it and created after returning to her Ontario studio.

In the latter, Johnson continues with the approach that she began in Newfoundland. These paintings are large and gestural and employ a neutral palette. It is work she describes as closer to drawing.

(Lisa Johnson, “Early Riser”, oil on canvas, 32 by 40 inches. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

Full Circle also includes more colour-filled works from a spring and fall series, some from Newfoundland, and some from other Canadian locations.

These are sequestered in the upper level of the gallery and lean more toward using the visual vocabulary of color, value, shape, and composition to communicate memory while abstracting the landscape.

(Installation shot. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

Lisa Johnson’s Full Circle is invigorating and breathtaking. The show continues to November 29 at Westland Gallery, 156 Wortley Road.

For more information about Westland Gallery, visit https://westlandgallery.ca.

For more information about Lisa Johnson, visit https://www.lisajohnsonart.ca/

Reviewed by Beth Stewart

Web: https://bethstewart.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009620916363

Artist Profile: Cora Linden – Mixing it Up.

by Richard Young

by The Beat Magazine’s Beth Stewart

(Pictured: Cora Linden, Over the Hedge, Collaged paper on wood panel, 12″h x 12″w x 1″d. Courtesy of the artist.)

Cora Linden is a mixed media artist and a long-time fixture in the London art scene. She is known for her unique two and three-dimensional assemblages into which she incorporates repurposed materials, specialty papers, and distinctive textural elements.

Linden’s work is driven by a few core principles. First, anything can be transformed into an art supply. Perhaps the weirdest thing she’s repurposed is a cracked beaver skull. She believes creativity thrives in resourcefulness. This is evident in her one-of-a-kind pieces. Linden rejects the idea that people should settle for mass-produced décor and believes that art should be accessible to all. She seeks diverse audiences and places. This is why Linden’s work can be found at craft markets and at conventions in addition to traditional galleries.

(Cora Linden, Breaking Through, PVC with collaged paper & thread, 26″h X 16″w x 6″d. Courtesy of the artist.)

At this time, Linden continues to work on her Human Evolution series. The first piece, titled Breaking Through, with its bold vertical stripes and collaged excerpts from a vintage medical reference book, was exhibited at the Pride London Art Show 2025. In the text, a male doctor explains three types of women. Linden says, “The ideas are incredibly outdated now.” The piece illustrates how one’s true nature inevitably overtakes the path prescribed by so-called experts. Linden promises there will be more pieces in this series in 2026.

(Pictured: Cora Linden, Horn Solo, horn with faux florals in wooden frame, 15″h x10″w x 2.25″d. Courtesy of the artist.)

To experience more of Cora Linden’s work, visit Altered Arte & Handicrafts (AAH!) pages on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alteredartehandicrafts or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlteredArteandHandicrafts

By Beth Stewart

Web: https://bethstewart.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009620916363

Weekend Roundup of Arts Events in the London Area, October 24-26.

by Richard Young

Compiled by Richard Young, Publisher & Content Manager, The Beat Magazine 2025

This is the first in a series of weekly features highlighting selected arts and culture events in the London area. What better way to begin than with International Artists Day, celebrated annually on October 25th!

Continuing Art Exhibitions in the London Area

There is a lot of great art being exhibited in London area galleries. Let’s take a look at some of it.

The Simple Reflections Art Exhibition continues at TAP Centre for Creativity until November 1, while over at Westland Gallery, The Root of Wisdom featuring works by Clara Kim and Christopher Cape closes Saturday, October 25. Maritime Minute, featuring works by West Coast artist Les Ramsay, continues to October 30 at Forest City Gallery,

The Vice-President’s Day Quilts Throughout the Years exhibition runs to November 1 at the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre, while works by Lyn Carter and Aiden Urquhart are on display at the Woodstock Art Gallery. At Museum London, the new permanent collection exhibition All Around Me, All Around You still features Canadian artworks and historical artifacts from the museum’s collection.

The Benz Gallery’s “Scared Stiff” Halloween Exhibition continues during our regular hours until October 31st. Stop by to collect or just get into the spirit! 👻

https://www.thebenzgallery.com/current-exhibition

The Gallery Painting Group’s Art Show and Sale opens tonight at 5 p.m. and continues to Sunday at 3 p.m. at First-St, Andrew’s United Church, 350 Queens Ave. in London.

(“Bridge Robin”, coloured pencil on Museum Board, 12 by 12 inches by Beth Stewart)

You can find Beth Stewart’s reviews of some of these exhibitions elsewhere on The Beat Magazine 2025 website.

You Want Theatre? We’ve Got Theatre!

If you are craving some live local theatre, there is lots to choose from this weekend.

The hilarious The Play That Goes Wrong continues at the Grand Theatre until November 2, while sold-out performances of Infuse Productions’ The Rocky Horror Show continue at the Palace Theatre on October 25 and October 26. The show continues until November 2.

AlvegoRoot Theatre’s production of Sleigh Without Bells: A Donnelly’s Story has two additional matinee performances, scheduled for October 25 at 2:00 PM and October 26 at 2:00 PM at The Manor Park Memorial Hall in London.

Over at the Princess Ave Theatre in St. Thomas, Odesa Company presents Stephen King’s Misery on October 25th and 26th, while the St. Marys Community Players present Norm Foster’s hilarious Hilda’s Yard until November 2.

You can check out Jo-Anne Bishop’s theatre Reviews elsewhere on The Beat Magazine 2025 website.

The Forest City Film Festival Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

The Forest City Film Festival returns for its tenth year, hosting nine days of screenings and events at multiple venues in Downtown London. London creative, Donald D’Haene’s documentary, Interpreting Erik, is one of the award-winning films being screened.

The FCFF continues until November 2. For a full schedule, visit https://fcff.ca/schedule/

Music To Soothe The Soul

The London Community Orchestra presents From Salzburg to Paris on Sunday, October 26, 3:00 pm. at Dundas Street Centre United Church, 482 Dundas St., London, ON.

Featuring soloist Joshua Lee, performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K218, composed by Mozart in his hometown of Salzburg in 1775.

The program also includes:
🎶 Debussy – Second Arabesque
🎶 Ravel – Le tombeau de Couperin

Experience the journey from Mozart’s classical elegance to Debussy and Ravel’s Parisian impressionism, a celebration of musical evolution from structure to atmosphere.

Tickets: Adults – $25
Seniors – $20
Students – $15
Children 12 and under – $5

Available at the door and online @ https://www.lco-on.ca/eng/

Encore The Concert Band holds it 2025 season opener, Forward Momentum, on Sunday, October 26 at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School.

London’s Eastside Bar & Grill hosts Farewell Stanleys release of their brand new, fifth album Mystery To Me, produced by Moe Berg (of The Pursuit of Happiness & The TransCanada Highwaymen), with special guests Brother Leeds, on Saturday, October 25th. Showtime at 8:30pm, 10$ at the door. Copies of Mystery To Me will officially be on sale at this event, available on vinyl & CD. https://linktr.ee/FarewellStanleys

The Gavin Adcock Need To Tour concert takes place Saturday, October 25th, at the London Music Hall.

Visit https://londonmusichall.com/

Over at the Palasad Socialbowl, 63’ MONROE is back to tear the roof off. Loud, raw, and unapologetic—London’s punk pioneers bring decades of sweat, snarls, and speed to the stage. They’re rolling in with the razor-sharp riffs of Limited of Approach and the outlaw rock’n’roll chaos of Jesse James Medicine Show. Expect snarling guitars, thundering rhythm, and a night of pure, high-voltage punk energy.

Licensed – All Ages – $5 Door.

That’s it for this weekend. If your venue has an event you would like featured next weekend, send the details to Richard Young, Publisher & Content Manager of The Beat Magazine at richardyoung@thebeatmagazine2025.ca

An Update from Westland Gallery, Al Stewart

by Richard Young

Submitted by Gallery Owner, Al Stewart

I figured it was time to share an update on the Westland building, which, as you probably know by now, is currently for sale. While our intention is for the Westland Gallery business to eventually move down the road to The Art Exchange building, the 156 Wortley Rd. address remains for sale.

Over the past few months, there’s been quite a bit of interest in the building, but nothing that makes us ready to leave the building just yet. The building will remain available for purchase in the coming months. Until someone comes along who we think can look after our historical building and give back to the village, the gallery will stay in this building, continuing on with our planned exhibitions for 2025 and 2026.

Our next exhibition is a solo show by Lisa Johnson, and it is going to be a knockout. Lisa spent a month in Newfoundland at an artist residency in Pouch Cove, painting absolutely stunning landscapes. I can’t recommend visiting Lisa’s show, opening on October 28th, enough. It’s certainly a must-see.

(Pictured: Painter Lisa Johnson)

Unfortunately, because of the time required to plan the Square Foot Show, we have decided not to do it this year. Both the planning of the show and the returning of artwork take months and months to complete, and we couldn’t commit to a show of this scale this year.

I know there are going to be many disappointed artists and collectors, but it just wasn’t the right timing, with the potential sale of the building.

In place of the Square Foot Show, we have a number of small pieces by our gallery artists on their way for December! We will also be presenting pieces from the estates of several renowned London artists to be sold at very accessible prices for collectors who would like to own a piece. We will have work from the estates of Helmut Becker, Herb Ariss, and Kerry Ferris, to name just a few.

See you at the gallery,

Al Stewart

For more information about Westland Gallery, visit https://westlandgallery.ca/

Nature Nurtures and Teaches: The Root of Wisdom at Westland Gallery.

by Richard Young

by Beth Stewart, The Beat Magazine 2025

The Root of Wisdom at Westland Gallery marries the work of two disparate yet ultimately complementary artists. Ottawa artist Clara Kim’s work with its frenetic brush work reveals recognizable forms, whereas Guelph artist Christopher Cape’s work is understated and ethereal. Together, they offer a respite from the day-to-day with a giant serving of the natural world.

According to Kim, the title of this joint exhibition is a nod to poet William Wordsworth. She is likely alluding to his piece “The Tables Turned” as, in it, he advises “Let Nature be your teacher/ She has a world of … Spontaneous wisdom”. Nature as teacher is certainly seen in the work of both artists.

Kim’s work with its colourful birds, bears and other beasts is contained in the front gallery. Most of the pieces are quite large. She depicts her animals in a style that she says is influenced by both ancient Korean arts and contemporary western sensibilities.

Through the ages, Korean art has been naturalistic, favouring the beauty of raw materials and natural patterns. Kim takes these traditional values and extends them with modern materials and approaches.

To this end, Kim employs a variety of tools and materials in her oil and acrylic paintings including knife scratching, and ink crayon, and pastel drawing. This is clearly seen in her abstract backgrounds and in what Westland Marketing Coordinator Anna Wilson calls the “evolution” of Kim’s mark making.

(Clara Kim’s oil and acrylic piece on canvas, “My World”. Image courtesy of Westland Gallery.)

In Kim’s “My World”, the bear stands firmly on calligraphic shapes and is backed by abstract forms. In her “Rainbow Raven #2”, colourful lines meander playfully as flecks of similar hues dance across the blackness of the bird’s plumage.

(Clara Kim’s oil and acrylic on canvas piece “Rainbow Raven #2” Image courtesy of Westland Gallery.)

Christopher Cape’s plein air landscapes occupy the upper gallery. Bold and mysterious, these works shun detail in favour of colour, reductionist form and evocative titles. They avoid obvious telling and beg for individual interpretation.

(Christopher Cape’s oil on cradled birch “Before the End”. Image courtesy of Westland Gallery.)

On the other hand, his “Take Flight”, with its stacked birds, bucks the non-representational trend while still embracing its pastel colouration and a limited depth of field.

(Christopher Cape’s oil and acrylic on cradled birch, “Take Flight”. Image courtesy of Westland Gallery.)

Titles stand out as integral to Cape’s art. His are evocative. To what end does “Before the End” refer? What happened “Moments Before”? What does “You Remember More than You Know” mean?

Happily, for the artists, there are lots of red dots to be seen; a few pieces have already gone to their forever homes.

“The Root of Wisdom” continues to October 25, 2025, at Westland Gallery, 156 Wortley Road. For more information, visit https://westlandgallery.ca/

Reviewed by Beth Stewart

For information about Beth Stewart’s art, visit https://bethstewart.ca/

Lambeth Art Association hosts Joanne Poluch, Art Coach and owner of Remarque Art Consulting, October 18th

by Richard Young

On Saturday, October 18th, the Lambeth Art Association is hosting a special event open to the London area artist community.  Joanne Poluch, acclaimed Art Coach and owner of Remarque Art Consulting, will lead a lecture entitled How to Define Artistic Success and How to Approach and Nurture Buyers.

About Joanne Poluch:

Joanne Poluch is the owner of Remarque Art Consulting in Guelph, Ontario.  Joanne holds an Honours Degree in Art History from the University of Guelph and an Art Marketing Diploma from Sotheby’s Institute of Fine Art in New York.   Establishing her business in 2010, Joanne has enjoyed a solid reputation in art consulting ever since. Her business model is versatile and has been based on exceptional customer service, a relaxed and professional relationship with corporate/ private clients, and assisting artists at ALL levels of their art practice. Joanne’s deep passion for art, flair for creativity, and compassionate style have allowed her to enjoy a thriving and successful business. 

Joanne is frequently called upon to be a guest speaker for numerous art groups, locally and at the national level. As a popular and introspective juror, Joanne remains a quintessential player on the art scene. 

Enjoying a very active art coaching/mentorship practice with artists across Canada, her philosophy is simple – build up artists through positive energy and deep-seated support. 

Joanne holds the position of Manager of the Art Sales &  Rental program at the Art Gallery of Guelph. 

She is also a registered current member of CARFAC.

This special event takes place from  1:00 to 3:15 pm at Riverside United Church in London.  Tickets to this event are $10. To reserve your spot, email the Lambeth Art Association at lambethartassociation@gmail.com

To learn more about Joanne Poluch, visit https://remarqueartconsulting.ca/

To learn more about the Lambeth Art Association, visit https://www.lambethart.com/

New Exhibition, Echoes of the Land, opens at Westland Gallery, Sept. 2.

by Richard Young
MEDIA RELEASE – Westland Gallery’s incredibly brilliant and successful textile show will be closing this weekend, and I will be installing the next show, titled Echoes of the Land, this Sunday. This exhibition features Jane Roy, VC Glennie and Denise Antaya; three painters who are creating landscapes and urban scenes with a few figures thrown in to mix it up a bit. Denise is a high realism painter whose landscapes are generally from close to home. VC’s work is leaning towards abstraction, with some architecture and figures introduced for a more urban appearance. Jane has created two impressionistic series of works based on landscapes in both Canada and Scotland. We have worked with Jane for almost as long as she has been painting. She started taking painting lessons with Jamie Jardine 8-10 years ago and within a couple of years she was ready to show her work. I was fortunate enough to be the gallery that Jane chose to exhibit with. I was confident that she had the talent, drive and mentorship that would take her a long way.
Over the years Jane has found her own style, as well as confidence in her ability to create some wonderful work. She and Jamie are now both friends and collaborators and have created many pieces together that are really incredible. Somehow she has an endless supply of energy to be a mother, hockey player, painter and co-executive director of the London Foodbank with her husband, Glen Pearson. I feel honoured to have Jane as a part of our gallery.
Denise Antaya has been with us for about eight years, and again, when I met Denise, I knew she was determined and destined to be a star in the art world. After a life altering event she chose to return to school to study high realism painting. She went to the Academy of Realist art in Toronto where they teach you how to draw and paint like the old masters. Denise is a lifelong learner who keeps evolving and getting better and better. She was a finalist in the Great Canadian Landscape painter show on CBC and wins awards around the world for her beautiful landscapes. Nobody sees or depicts light like Denise. Her paintings make you feel the warmth of the sunshine and the joy a beautiful sunset brings.
VC Glennie is a more recent painter for us. Although she has been in our Square Foot Show for years, she was never able to commit the time to paint a full show for us. VC was a caregiver for aging parents for four years and she selflessly took on the role and drew whenever time allowed to keep her skills honed.
VC has had extensive formal training, starting off with a BA from the University of Western Ontario, then B.Sc.A.A.M. Art as Applied to Medicine from the University of Toronto.  She worked for years in the field as a medical illustrator until she found it too isolating. She then went to Sheridan college to study computer animation and then worked in the United States in that profession for a while. When she returned home, VC took a studio at The Arts Project until she was needed at home full time. When life changed again, VC went back to painting and has explored an array of different styles and subject matters. She was recently in The Figurative Show and has now created  architectural and figurative landscapes that push the definition of landscape painting just a bit.   The show promises to be another great one, I hope you all will be able to come and see it.

Al Stewart, Westland Gallery
For more information about Westland Gallery, visit https://westlandgallery.ca/