Gallery in the Grove showcases the strength of the local arts community with “PIVOT,” a rapidly assembled exhibition featuring five regional artists.
Gallery in the Grove is living up to the name of its newest exhibition after a sudden cancellation forced a quick change in programming. The show, titled "PIVOT," opens this Saturday, March 28, following the unexpected withdrawal of a previously scheduled bronze sculpture display.
The exhibition features five artists with deep roots in the Sarnia-Lambton community. Ian McLean, Taryn Henry, Wilma Mehl, Mary Kilbreath, and Paula McLean have all contributed new or recent works to ensure the gallery doors remain open to the public.
Co-Chairs Leanne O’Brien and Kirsten Kilner Holmes expressed gratitude for the local arts community’s rapid response. Kilner Holmes noted that the ability to organize such a high-quality show on short notice speaks to the strong relationships the gallery maintains with local creators.
The featured artists represent a diverse range of styles and experiences. Bright’s Grove painter Ian McLean brings work that explores the intersection of environment and experience. He is joined by Sarnia-based muralist Taryn Henry and Wilma Mehl, whose pastel paintings are inspired by the landscapes of Lake Huron.
Oil painter Mary Kilbreath, who also resides in Sarnia, focuses her work on the movement and light of the local waterfront. Rounding out the group is Paula McLean, a Sarnia-raised artist now based in Toronto, who brings an international exhibition pedigree back to her home community.
The gallery gift shop will also feature new pottery by Camlachie artist Tracey Ardiel. As a volunteer-operated non-profit, the gallery’s resilience highlights the importance of independent, community-rooted cultural spaces in Sarnia-Lambton.
The opening reception runs Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Faethorne House. The exhibition will remain on display until April 25.
