Kingston Artists' Showcase

Sumera Khan is a professional painter, art instructor and an urban sketcher from Kingston. She paints a variety of subjects including portraiture, plein air and still life. Through alla prima technique and impressionist style of brushwork, she likes painting stories captured in time.

Khan is one of the four artists from the Twofold Art Residency 2024 by Modern Fuel and Union Gallery. Khan is also a member of the jury for Kingston School of Art's annual exhibition this year. She is the founder of a growing community on Facebook called Urban Sketchers Hub where the artists connect in local sketch meetups and/or share their love for urban sketching online.

Whether it's the quiet impressionistic ambience of a portrait, memories captured in still life or bustling moments of an urban space, Sumera Khan remains committed to illuminating the beauty and complexity of the world through her art.

Adele is an award winning British/Canadian artist. She was born in England but grew up here in beautiful Kingston, Ontario. She focuses on gesture and color, layering washes of paint on wood panels to create her work which is inspired by her time growing up here in Kingston where she spent many summer weekends out on Lake Ontario sailing with her Dad, camping at Sandbanks and forever chasing sunsets over the lake.

Using a minimalist style she brings balance in an attempt to decipher the everyday chaos towards calm. She intends to create a mood or evoke a dream-like memory that one can escape into while enjoying the playfulness of the contemporary peaceful vista.

Her work can be found in galleries across Canada and the United States.

Alanna is a multidisciplinary artist, specializing in the combining of textiles and stained glass. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant colors and shapes found in nature and literature, she employs both traditional and non-traditional techniques to create unique, captivating pieces. Alanna's artistic mission is to encourage others to embrace creativity and explore the beauty and complexity of their surroundings, transforming both joyful and challenging experiences into artistic inspiration. Through her work, she aims to inspire a sense of adventure in art-making and foster a deeper connection to the world around us.

In addition to her creative pursuits, Alanna actively shares her passion and knowledge as an instructor of stained glass and loom weaving at both the Kingston School of Art and the Kingston Senior Centre. Her teaching fosters a nurturing environment where students can explore their artistic potential and cultivate their own unique styles.

Alanna's work can be found showcased in local Kingston storefronts and art shows as well as local art markets.

Last year I won second place in the Kingston School of Art juried show, two honourable mentions in years past. I have had booths at both the Women’s Art festival and Artfest. I regularly show my work at the Queer Art show during Pride month.

I am an embroidery artist who uses thread as others use paint. My work can at times be whimsical, at other times more substantive, exploring my experience of breast cancer, life as a queer woman, and politics. All work is done by hand.

Ann Decker is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Kingston. She grew up in northern Newfoundland, worked in Ontario and England, then studied sculpture at the University of York, England (2009). She practiced as a ceramic sculptor for several years, constructing colourful rock-like forms. Since moving to Kingston in 2018, Ann has embraced painting and drawing. Her subjects include the human figure, fruits and vegetables, and nature.

Although she is a figurative painter, her work is evolving into abstract realism, combining the figure with natural subjects. Her media includes charcoal, watercolour, acrylic, and oil. Her art practice is based on creating a narrative or mood within a painting through colour and composition. Ann has shown her paintings at Cezanne’s Closet, the Tett Centre Gallery, and Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre.

An award-winning artist, Barb began by working in watercolour and acrylic painting. Afterwards she branched out into collage and printmaking. Her most recent works are in oil paint, and in 2022 and 2023, she painted a small oil painting almost every day. She continues to explore various printmaking processes, and is a member of the printmaking open studio at the Kingston School of Art. Her paintings and prints are inspired by the Eastern Ontario and Georgian Bay landscapes, and by Kingston scenes. Barb’s work can be seen in solo and group shows in the Kingston area, and in her home studio.

Christina Baird was born and raised on Canada's enchanting island of Newfoundland. Her early exposure to nature and the simplicity of life has influenced her as an artist. She continued to work on her craft and would find herself doodling and sketching as a way to create personal bliss and calm. Her innate ability to create expressions of happiness that celebrate the beauty of the moments and the art of being grateful are clearly evident in each creation.

Christina currently lives in Eastern Ontario with her husband and her beautiful daughters. To Christina, it is the process and the final expression of calm and encouragement that motivated her creations. Her personal wish is that you will find pleasure in adorning your life with her whimsical artwork, and feel the energy that each piece has to offer.

I have a studio in Kingston. I taught in the Fine Art Department at St. Lawrence College and have work in the collections of the Canada Council Art Bank, the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and the Art Gallery of Toronto among others. I was a founding member of Modern Fuel (MFARC).

I paint in watercolour and acrylic. Subject matter includes landscape, portraits and animal imagery. In recent paintings surreal elements signal nature in crisis: - a dolphin leaping from an Eastern Ontario Lake, or ominous cloud formations - a whale-shaped cloud looms over the Toronto Skyline.

I’m Dayne Henry, and I grew up in Brockville, Ontario, where my journey with art began at a young age. I’ve been oil painting since I was 12 years old, a passion that has only grown stronger over the years. My artistic path led me to St. Lawrence College, where I completed the Fine Arts program and honed my skills further.

Over the past years, I’ve immersed myself in the world of painting, taking numerous classes to refine my craft and deepen my understanding of traditional art forms. Although I’ve slowed down a bit in recent years, my dedication to visual art remains unwavering. I take immense pride in the traditional techniques that have shaped my work and continue to fuel my passion for creating art.

My name is Emma Cahill, I am a 19-year-old artist and have been exploring different art forms throughout my life. I have always loved creating art and expressing myself through art. My primary art form is visual and more specifically, painting and drawing. Currently, I am studying visual art in Vancouver, British Columbia, at Simone Fraser University.

Gabi Nunzi is an emerging self-taught artist born in 1967 in Romania, living and working in Kingston since 2006. She holds a PhD in Chemistry. Driven by an insatiable and childlike curiosity, her thoughts and artwork aim to feminism and wellbeing. Recently embracing the art of paper mache, she explores new avenues giving free rein to her creative energy, her imagination and inspiration of the moment. Paper mâché makes her funny characters light and airy despite their assumed plumpness. The Gabinoos gleam by their roundness and their colors, which are likely to stand out and fit into all spaces. Although paper mache techniques tend towards the tedious, her practice is environmentally responsible through material consideration.

Gabi did not get an academic artistic education, but she is nourished by abundant artistic inspiration from several elders and contemporary artists like Niki de Saint Phalle (Les Nanas au pouvoir) and Fernando Botero among others.

Herman is a Queens University Alumna (2019) and is currently working as a Project Manager, along with teaching at St. Lawrence College in Kingston.

She loves to paint and pursue her passion for Fine Art through exploring different mediums as well as art forms ranging from Intricate Indian Art forms to Abstract, Contemporary and Minimalistic art. She has been a part of various local art festivals and events in Kingston and has also displayed her art at a number of cafes and galleries in Kingston. Most proceeds from her artworks are donated to local charities and/ or organizations.

Teare tries to induce reflective moments of calm, to motivate the viewer to pause, even if briefly. Her art is immersive. In true contemporary fashion, she distills acrylic elements down and then layers them upon one another on wooden substrates. Once dried, the surface is then distressed by sanding, filing or plaining. The resulting effect is much like gazing into a pool of water... deceptively straightforward but fueling hours of study.

Of note, her work has hung in the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Educated as a civil engineer, Teare took up painting to strengthen the supporting muscles in her wrist following a repetitive strain injury. She quickly became enthralled with visual arts, something she had had a long romance with but had not dreamed of attempting. Recently retired, Teare is in the process of building another studio in Kingston’s west end and returning to fine art.

The art that I have created always reflects my life’s journey at various points in time – a visual journal, I suppose. It hasn’t been consistent in style, form or technique. I strongly relate to Marc Chagall’s remark: “I work in whatever medium likes me at the moment.” It’s the creation of a piece that excites me. It doesn’t matter what medium is used or what the purpose may be. The one thing, however, that has remained consistent throughout my journey is that the piece must make a statement to the viewer, The statement may not necessarily be profound, but it must be clear.

In my most recent series (7 pieces) of ‘Kingston Waterfront’ paintings, for example, I wish not only to depict my own current physical surroundings but to emphasize the past era in a contemporary age. In our present age of ever-changing technology and social-cultural shapeshifting, our history is a reference point for all generations through meaningful reflection on our past and guidance toward our future.

Julie is a multidisciplinary artist who divides her time between writing and painting. A former member of Toronto's Don Valley Art Club (DVAC), she moved to Kingston in 2020. Her work has been exhibited at various juried shows and galleries, including Cline House, Tett Centre, Kingston School of Art, Lakeside Studio Gallery, Tri-Art Gallery, Martello Alley, and Kingston Frameworks.

The Kingston Hidden Artist Collective (KHAC) is dedicated to uncovering, empowering, and celebrating the often-overlooked creative voices within our community. Our intent is to provide a platform for artists facing significant barriers—whether due to housing instability, mental health challenges, or systemic marginalization—to express themselves, connect with others, and generate sustainable income through their art.

We believe that art is a powerful tool for personal and social transformation. By offering support, resources, and opportunities for artistic growth, KHAC aims to dismantle the obstacles that prevent talented individuals from sharing their work with the world. We strive to foster an inclusive and vibrant arts community where every artist's voice is heard, valued, and uplifted. Our commitment is to create a space where creativity thrives, connections are forged, and art becomes a bridge that unites and strengthens our community.

Painted for many years in oil, some acrylic, watercolour, and pastel (both soft and oil pastel), and dabbled as well in clay sculpting. Art education unstructured – evening classes in the 1980’s and 90’s at McGill University and Visual Arts Centre in Montreal.

Always loving glass, it was natural that I eventually began to work on stained glass and mosaics. Since moving to Kingston almost fifteen years ago I took an interest in printmaking so make use of the open studio at the Kingston School of Arts. Kym has exhibited her works in Montreal, Quebec, Plattsburgh, New York and London, Ontario.

Larry is a self-taught artist based in Kingston. I recently retired and am dedicating more time to exploring and experimenting with various art mediums, including oil, acrylic, pencil, charcoal, and watercolor. I look forward to discovering my unique artistic style and voice.

I am Laura Santos, I discovered art as a form of therapy during the pandemic, finding in it a space where I could express and heal my emotions. This period led me to explore and experiment with various techniques, allowing me to create pieces filled with meaning and connection.

My artistic work is deeply rooted in themes of identity, community, and sustainability. Through my art, I not only reconnect with myself but also reflect the stories and experiences of those around me. Each piece is a testament to the importance of preserving our roots and caring for the environment that sustains us.

I had the privilege of participating in the gallery at the Tett Centre, a space dedicated to showcasing community art. This experience has been fundamental, allowing me to share my vision and connect with others who, like me, see art as a path to personal and collective growth.
This unique piece: Transparent Gaze incorporates recycled materials, transforming discarded objects. Through this approach, I focus on how beauty can arise from what we no longer value. My work invites reflection on how we relate to both our surroundings and ourselves.

Born in a small town in southwestern Ontario, Linda Chamberlain is a talented Canadian acrylic painter, renowned for her captivating and meticulously detailed scenery artworks.

Inspired by the natural beauty of her surroundings, Linda's artistic journey is driven by a passion for capturing the essence of the beauty around her. Linda's acrylic paintings are characterized by meticulous attention to detail and vibrant colours.

Linda's artwork has been showcased in various local exhibitions and is available for viewing on her Facebook page, "Original Art by Linda Chamberlain." This online platform allows art enthusiasts to explore her latest creations and connect with the artist directly.

Currently residing in Kingston, Ontario, Linda continues to draw inspiration from the regions stunning landscapes and waterways.

Lisa Taggart is a landscape and abstract artist who creates depth and dimension using plaster, acrylics and often resin. She captures beauty through her designs often finding solace and inspiration from the crisp leaves, the crashing waves, or the unique rock formations that can be found in nature. Often, we overlook the ordinary; she chooses to embrace the mundane and transform it into something extraordinary through art.

Some of Lucille’s greatest treasures are the gifts of artwork made by her two grandchildren, each piece in the moment and genuine. This is Lucille’s inspiration, to taste that joy and freedom in making art, to play and develop, no matter what age.

Lucille Davies grew up in Hong Kong amid dense faceless skyscrapers and traffic logjams. She moved to Kingston with her husband in 1977 and fell in love with our historic city with its mix of architectural styles on a human scale. Lucille is a keen photographer.

For her streetscapes, she stands at intersections and takes snapshots of a vibrant city life; she then tries to re-capture that moment using translucent watercolours that flow and ebb on the paper seemingly with a mind of their own.

Mary O'Brien is a visual artist born and raised in Kingston, Ontario. She has also been based in many other Ontario cities and, for a brief time, in London, England. For most of her entire life she has either dreamed of, or has been immersed in, thoughts about art.

From a young age, she was fascinated by the often overlooked details of her surroundings, be it while exploring landscapes or absorbing intricacies of buildings. Mary pursued her serious study of art both at Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec (BFA) and the University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario (MFA). While learning about a wide variety of individual mediums, she quickly came to realize that working in acrylic paint or mixed media were the most effective means to enhance her intuitive explorations.

She has steadily exhibited in solo shows and in group shows across Ontario, in Sweden and London, UK. Since 1985, she has also taught fine art and art history at a variety of colleges. She has lived and worked in Kingston since 1993.

Monika Rosen is a Kingston-based figurative and landscape painter with a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the New York Academy of Art and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen’s University. Fascinated by the relationship between the psyche and the landscape, she works primarily in oil painting to explore notions of healing in a symbolic terrain or through resilient figures; carefully crafted light and colour, rhythms of water and their shadows, play to reveal the undercurrents of what is seen.

Rosen has attended artistic residencies in Manchester (UK), Assisi (Italy), St. Andrews (New Brunswick), and an art internship residency on Fogo Island, Newfoundland. She has exhibited in international group shows in the US and Europe, as well as solo shows within Canada, including Kingston, Gananoque and Cornwall.

Her work is in private and corporate collections, including those of 21C Museum Hotels, and recently The Daniels Corporation in Toronto. Outside of painting, Rosen has illustrated for medical publications, children’s books, holds art workshops, and sails the waters of Lake Ontario.

Neil moved to Kingston to study Design at St. Lawrence College in 1989. After college Neil started his career as a designer in Kingston but later worked in Vancouver and Toronto for 10 years. He returned to Kingston 20 years ago to start his own business as well as return to St. Lawrence College as a professor of design and continue to grow his fine art skills.

Neil continues to work in Kingston as a designer and artist showing and selling paintings as well as producing commissioned works.

Patrice Dwyer is an emerging artist whose vibrant journey through life forms her dynamic and ever-evolving artwork. Born into an Air Force family, she has traversed landscapes both physical and emotional, drawing inspiration from each chapter of her life.

Settling in a new phase of semi-retired life in the Kingston area, Patrice's artistic exploration has flourished. From her early experimentation with Chinese watercolour to her poignant "Pandemic" series depicting the resilience of her apple tree through the seasons, her work reflects a profound connection to the world around her.

Her creative journey extends beyond mediums and subjects, encompassing themes of trauma, resilience, and human connection. She has explored the Lotus Flowers, watercolour, poppies, and oil colours, constantly pushing the boundaries of her artistry. With each brushstroke, Patrice invites you to join her on a visual journey, where the threads of her experiences weave together to form a rich tapestry of emotion, beauty, and boundless imagination.

Pierre Bartkowiak is an abstract painter and photographer originally born and raised in Montreal Quebec. He relocated to Kingston, Ontario 7 years ago where he made his home. His love for Kingston, its history, people, and nature, has been a motivating factor in his life and art. Pierre contributed to public infrastructure projects during his work in the City of Kingston Facilities unit, before dedicating his career to serving the local community as a first responder. His works were previously exhibited in solo shows in Montreal.

An early love of street art inspires and drives my creative passions. Using mostly acrylics and a pallet knife allows me to convey chaos while applying texture, blends of colour forming a symphony of order in disorder. My artistic endeavours allow me to express a range of emotions as I journey through each project. I rarely have an end goal in mind and let the process and spontaneity guide me.

Portia “Po” Chapman (BFAH ‘19, B.Ed ’20 ACE Queen’s) is a Kingston based, award winning and published artist illustrator. As a multidisciplinary visual storyteller, she is best known for circular compositions that adorn her drums, murals, and illustrations featuring her own signature, intensely immersive, colour blocking art style inspired by wild grapevine silhouettes cast by the bright noonday sun. After receiving the Queen’s Medal in Visual Art, Po was commissioned by Queen’s University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives to create 10 circular Indigenous themed icons for their new website.

As an Artist in Community Education Specialist and OCT Certified Teacher of Visual Art, Po teaches at Loyola Kingston, leads workshops and gives art talks in the Kingston Community, including the Agnes Etherington Art Centre. Po has been featured in exhibitions and commissioned for illustrations in the Kingston, Belleville and Picton regions

When Po is asked why she creates “beautiful” artworks, she responds: “Life just feels better when we smile.”

Although she has been studying and producing art for nearly two decades, artist Paula Whyle has been officially “emerging” since she retired to Kingston nine years ago and surprised herself by winning the top prize at the first show she entered (the Juried Exhibition from Kingston School of Art in 2019, at the Window Art Gallery).

Since then, Paula's work has been featured in numerous shows, including ones at Modern Fuel, The Window Art Gallery and Union Gallery and she continues to produce and sell her work. She enjoys challenging herself by experimenting with different materials and themes, both through her individual work and frequently alongside a collection of like-minded artists.

Sumera Khan is a professional painter, art instructor and an urban sketcher from Kingston. She paints a variety of subjects including portraiture, plein air and still life. Through alla prima technique and impressionist style of brushwork, she likes painting stories captured in time.

Khan is one of the four artists from the Twofold Art Residency 2024 by Modern Fuel and Union Gallery. Khan is also a member of the jury for Kingston School of Art's annual exhibition this year. She is the founder of a growing community on Facebook called Urban Sketchers Hub where the artists connect in local sketch meetups and/or share their love for urban sketching online.

Whether it's the quiet impressionistic ambience of a portrait, memories captured in still life or bustling moments of an urban space, Sumera Khan remains committed to illuminating the beauty and complexity of the world through her art.