The Durham Art Gallery is excited to announce Cole Wiseman as the 2018 inaugural recipient of The Fallis Arts Scholarship. A recent graduate from Sacred Heart High School in Walkerton, Ontario, Mr. Wiseman has been accepted into a Bachelor of Fine Arts and concurrent B.Ed. at Nipissing University in North Bay. His ultimate goal is to become a Secondary Art Teacher and, in his words, "...share my love of art with students someday so they too can become as excited about the beauty and wonder of art."

The Fallis Art Scholarship jury, made up of local artists Tony Luciani, Debbie Schenk and curator/artist Jaclyn Quaresma, said this of Cole's submitted artworks:

"It's not often you get to 'feel the experience' with an artwork..."; "The drawing of the wolf is my favourite, the sensitivity in how Cole handled the drawing tools and the coyness of the gaze demonstrate what a good observer Cole is as an artist."; "...excited for his opportunity to grow amongst a peer group and will be curious to see how Cole's work diversifies, deepens and flourishes in the years to come."

Ms. Samantha Easton, Cole's high school art teacher, described Cole as, "An exceptionally hard-working student who has great artistic ability", adding that, "Cole has performed very well academically, especially in my class, earning 92."

The Durham Art Gallery and the Fallis Family are excited to be able to help support Cole in his post-secondary exploration of his artistic and varied talents and hope that one day The Gallery can host an exhibition full of Cole's future artworks by both him and his future students.

Upon receiving the award, Cole said, "It is a remarkable feeling when others appreciate your art, something you have poured your heart and soul into. I can't begin to express how incredibly grateful and excited I am to receive the Fallis Art Scholarship."

After receiving a donation of shares from Peter Fallis and the late Claude E. Fallis in the nineties, the shares were sold last year, resulting in a generous infusion of monies for the Gallery. The Board and Staff of The Durham Art Gallery feel it is important to pay this kind of community largesse forward while honouring those whose generosity made this possible, and The Fallis Arts Scholarship Award is just one way they intend to do so.

Founded in 1979, The Durham Art Gallery is a regional art gallery serving Grey and Bruce counties. For more information visit: www.durhamart.on.ca

source: media release, The Durham Art Gallery