Artists are influenced by their life experiences and surroundings, and for generations the families of painters Gayle Slinger and Margot Foster have chosen to make Bruce County their home. Living in Bruce County has provided an abundance of inspiration and creativity for Gayle and Margot. This summer the public can enjoy Inspired by Bruce County, a collaborative show that will be both on display at BCM&CC and available online as the BCM&CC’s first virtual exhibit.
“We are pleased to host the work of such talented and local artists,” says Cathy McGirr, Director Museum & Cultural Services. “While the show will be available for in-person viewing once we re-open in July, hosting the show in a virtual environment, allows for greater accessibility beyond our Bruce County borders.”
The show will open virtually on June 29. When the Museum reopens in Phase 3 under the provincial government’s reopening plan, Inspired by Bruce County will be displayed in the third-floor Bruce Gallery until September 25.
Gayle Slinger began her art journey in the early 90s, taking classes and workshops in London, Ontario with many professional artists allowing her to develop her own unique style. She has been teaching classes and workshops since 2001 in London, Southwestern Ontario and locally since 2013 at the Southampton Art Centre. Gayle is a painter and instructor in both acrylic and watercolour mediums, is a Gallery Artists at Southampton Arts Centre and a member of the Shoreline Artists. Her inspiration comes from nature, primarily focusing on skies, water, trees and rural landscapes. Her images are semi-representational, impressionistic, and sometimes abstract. In 2015, Gayle and her husband moved to Sauble Beach into their renovated cottage on land owned by her husband’s great- grandparents since 1904. There, Gayle enjoys an inspiring view of the beach from her studio.
“As an artist I am inspired by the images and colours I see in the world around me,” she explains. “Painting provides me creative moments of joy as well as challenges and as much as I love to paint, it is the challenges that lead me into pushing boundaries and trying something new.”
Margot Foster’s life has afforded her the opportunity to live in many places. The study of art and culture in different countries shaped the vision she has for her own artistic expression. She continually experiments in a variety of mediums. Raising four children kept her grounded and their Sauble Beach cottage has always been a constant. A full-time return to Bruce County prompted a natural connection with Southampton Arts Centre as a long-time student, Board Member, Gallery Artist and now staff member. Her greatest joy arises when something she has created connects with an individual and they are drawn in by her work.
This is her motivation to keep creating. “As a self-taught artist, taking courses from a variety of talented individuals has always been my passion,” she says. “I am continually amazed with the range of incredibly personal results which come from collective instruction. This speaks to my personal belief that within each of us is a uniquely individual art perspective waiting to be released.”
Take a virtual journey through “Inspired by Bruce County” now featured on BCM&CC’s website. Inspired by Bruce County is proudly presented by 97.9 The Bruce and will be open until September 25, 2021. The BCM&CC is currently closed to the public with planning for reopening during phase three of the Road to Re-Open Ontario.
source: media release, Bruce County Museum