The exhibition of this year’s hydro box wrap contest winning paintings wraps up Saturday at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.
Among the original artworks submitted are the competition winners by artists Shelley Locke, Lois Stevens and Julia Kane.
In the spirit of community beautification, this year’s theme was nature, landmarks and history in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The selected artworks will be transferred onto a vinyl wrap for hydro boxes at the Garrison Village shopping plaza, the Anderson Lane Fire Hall and the community centre.
“I was quite surprised, as Niagara has some amazing artists, and it was an honour my piece resonated with the judges. It’s quite special for me. My parents and son will get to see my art on display within our community,” says Locke.
This award-winning artist and poet is self-taught. She has art work in private and public collections. Last year, her piece, Ode to T-Cats was chosen by the City of Hamilton for their traffic signal box wrap project. This year, her painting, The Glen, was a winner in the contest organized by the Town’s Communities in Bloom and NOTL Hydro.
Lois Stevens’ winning submission, Cannas on Queen, is a beautiful painting of vibrant canna lilies. Although Stevens also paints in oil and watercolour, she turned to acrylics for her winning submission. This Niagara-on-the-Lake artist and business owner says she strives to capture the beauty of the area in her paintings, and now her painting has been chosen to add beauty to the area.
“Needless to say, I was extremely honoured to have my recent painting selected for the competition. This is a wonderful opportunity for local artists to be recognized, and bring their art to the streets of NOTL for all to enjoy,” says Stevens. “I am currently working on a NOTL series of historic homes, landscapes, street scenes and bold florals. There is no end to resource material in this beautiful town we are so fortunate enough to live in. ”
Artist Julia Kane of St. Davids says she was honoured to be chosen one of the winners with her four-foot by four-foot Vineyard with a View #3.
“My painting of Konzelmann Vineyards from the viewing stand is one of my favourite subjects, with the lake in the background, and sometimes the city of Toronto on the far horizon,” she says.
“It will find a new home at NOTL Hydro to grace their new boardroom after the show, and I am again honoured to have them purchase this piece. I look forward to seeing the image on the hydro box at the community centre, and continue to be inspired to keep painting beautiful NOTL scenes.”
The three artists received $500 courtesy of NOTL Hydro, in addition to the gallery display at the Pumphouse. The exhibition continues until the end of the month, after which the Pumphouse presents Ontario Between an Abstract and Figurative Vision, by Eric Ranveau, on Nov. 4. The opening reception for Ranveau will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.
Contact the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre for more information and visiting protocols, niagarapumphouse.ca or 905-468-5455. The Pumphouse is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local artist Lois Stevens will have her painting, Cannas on Queen Street, on a hydro box in the Old Town. (Photos supplied) 
St. Davids resident Julia Kane’s winning painting is of a Konzelmann vineyard.
