March 4 – 28, 2026 Presented by Karen and Gord Savage
Best
in Show
Spencer Zumpano's
"Grieving Yourself"
Pencil/Charcoal/Chalk/Pastel/Paper
24" x 18"
Juror comments
This piece is superbly executed with a firm grasp of the medium. We looked for a long time to see into the body of this work, the lines and form and quality of expressiveness in them.
The creative concept echoes the title well. With the red heart being the only colour in the work, it immediately reaches the viewer, speaking of love, loss or despair. It commands the viewer’s attention, raising questions and giving pause to think what the artist may have been feeling. It is emotive and thought-provoking which is what we hope to achieve as a reaction in the viewer when presenting an emotional subject.
Congratulations on a successful, thought-provoking work of art !
HMG
Meet the Jurors
Jennifer Delaney
Jennifer is a quiet artist and has waited many years to "become". She is finally working full time in art, emerging in the last few years, and being rewarded (awarded) for her effort and skill in shows. Jennifer paints for herself first, and holds nothing back!
Based in Kawartha Lakes, Jennifer also has a small studio in the Peterborough area. There are two disciplines that pull Jennifer's art; one to impressionistic painting, and the other to abstract. She always paints a feeling. The main themes she is currently working on balance between landscapes, and interesting items in them, and the subjects others may not want to paint. She is primarily an oil painter, who lends a little time to all art experimentation.
A final favourite quote from Jennifer: "Talent is Time In".
Lynne Vegter
Lynne is a self taught artist living in the Bancroft area, and working from her cabin studio on Lake Weslemkoon. Lynne had immigrated from England and raised two children as a single parent, and ran a small art studio in Bruce County teaching Ceramic Arts, hand building and ceramic finishing. Drawing was always a passion and as a teen, Lynne won local art competitions. Upon retirement in 2016, she attended Haliburton School of Art to learn pottery wheel technique.
Moving to the Bancroft area in 2018, Lynne is emerging as an artist and enjoys photographing the lake environment and wildlife. Hiking, kayaking and observing the natural beauty are her inspiration, exploring the lake reflections and the natural life around the shores. Both Lynne and her spouse are involved in animal rescue and protection of their habitat.
Volunteering at both A Place For The Arts and the Bancroft Art Gallery, Lynne has conducted workshops and teaches a children’s art evening in conjunction with the Muse Gallery and Cafe, during fall and winter months. Her preferred medium is oils but also enjoys painting in watercolour, gouache and mixed media.
Lynne’s paintings can be seen in the Art Gallery of Bancroft, A place For The Arts and Longmuir’s Hidden Cove Cottages. Her upcoming shows will be in Belleville Gallery 121 mid-February to March 2024, and in the Art Gallery Of Bancroft for the month of May 2024.
Drawing
First Place
Isabel Scott's "Enigmatic Society"
Charcoal/Paper, 27 x 21"
Juror comments
This work is executed with a firm grasp of the medium showing confidence and ability. The detail is so well done, in the background particularly showing the multitude of receding buildings with light strokes and softness, in stark contrast with the strength and textural strokes within the tree bark and roots.
It has an enigmatic quality statement between city and natural woodland with twining old branches with their long history compared to the buildings in the background. Well titled, it promotes a current concept, it questions and speaks to our present-day dilemma of the human effect upon the environment. Well done!
Honourable Mention
Ava Anderson's "The Opening Voice"
Pencil Crayon/Paper
Juror comments
Beautiful line work and powerful use of colour using values that are not traditional portraiture, this work could not go unnoticed.
Confidently executed and very expressive with the title provoking thoughts of Canadian roots.
Honourable Mention
Julia Jenning's "Migration"
Charcoal/Paper, 18" x 24"
Juror comments
Beautifully drawn, this work stood out showing skill of the craft. Very proficient pencil work depicting a fond subject greatly admired by many nature-lovers, the monarch butterfly. The artist really managed to convey a sense of light!
Painting/Mixed Media
First Place
Leanne Sidsworth's "Tired Naked Babies"
Acrylic/Canvas, 24 x 18"
Juror comments
Such a thought provoking piece, it has a certain mysterious theme to it so cleverly entitled!
The dark textural background is well done along with the glazed staircase faintly reminiscent of renaissance-style dark, suggestive background painting. We liked the texture behind the paint, it is an exploration in the medium showing creativity and innovation.
This painting left you wondering, is it sad or is it whimsy? Leaving the viewer to ponder the subject is a successful connection in a work of art. Congratulations on achieving this!
Honourable Mention
Alivia Brown's "Colour of Architecture" Watercolour/Paper, 15 5/8 " x 11 1/2"
Juror comments
This representational work is excellently painted in a watercolour and could not go without being mentioned. Detail is superbly done, especially in railings, with shaded washes to describe a beautiful street of architecture. It is accurate in perspective and shows great skill in the use of the medium.
Honourable Mention
Sophie Lee's "Spiral"
India Ink/Paper, 13 x 13"
Juror comments
This is an exquisite ink and mixed media design. The attention to detail and careful shapes and line work execution could not go unnoticed. The shape of a spiral is always significant in art and echoes the golden ratio of the shell so the title is appropriate and interesting.
3 Dimensional
First Prize
Carly Sopher's "Artist's Attic"
Popsicle Sticks/Cardboard/Paper/Paint/Hot Glue/Toothpicks, 10" x 8" x 8"
Juror comments
You must have seen our studios!! Or have one of your own, we hope.
So articulately crafted! Individual paintings in this miniature studio stand alone as works of art. It is meticulously built and cleverly thought out with great creativity and skill. Each time you go back to take a peek you will see a small detail you missed before! The waste bin overflowing with the failures balled up, the sketches on the table under the paint tubes….Painstaking excellent details and craftsmanship. A delightful work of art!!
Honourable Mention
Madison Mathers-Stevenson's
"Noodles" Plaster/Paint, 20 x12
Juror comments
Wow! for making this look so like we could eat it!
This fun work is made well and has a creative flair very reminiscent of the pop art period. It’s quite an undertaking to make all the noodles so very well done. We liked the addition of the labels, too!
Honourable Mention
Isabel Rallison's "Koi Pond"
Cardboard, 18" x 14" x 3"
Juror comments
This cardboard creation of a fluid pond with plants is very well done creating the depth and suggesting movement with the layering of shapes. Very beautiful. Well done!
Concept + Creativity
First Prize
Alivia Brown's "Abnormally Normal"
Acrylic/Canvas, 11" x 14"
Juror comments
This painting has a unique subject which immediately gets the viewer’s attention with the tiger in a car; quirky and surreal. It invites the viewer to pause, wondering perhaps, where are these animals from, what are they doing? Why a llama? This painting raises questions and forces the viewer into a dialogue with the artist, making for a successful interaction. It is a very well painted and creative, imaginative, work of art. We could not let this work go without an award!
Honourable Mention
Morgan Slater's "Loss of Ourselves"
Oil/Canvas, 12" x 12"
Juror comments
This small collage is packed with tactile additions, messages and meanings inviting the viewer to move closer and look. The overall design and the messages of our world changing and being threatened were strong and creative. This piece could not go without a mention.
Honourable Mention
Sophia Lawrence's "Memory Tank"
Collage, 10" x 13"
Juror comments
Beautiful collage work with a very creative concept, immediately grabbing the viewer’s attention, having a very retro feel but futuristic at the same time. The world being programmed, light rays?
Technically, the components are very neatly cut and applied. A thoughtful work of art and very well done.
Show Submissions
