Today marks the start of a month-long exhibit being held at Assembly Hall, featuring works from artists of the Southern Ontario Visual Arts Collective.
After years of having to showcase their artwork virtually, artists of the Southern Ontario Visual Arts Collective are thrilled to interact with the public once again and explain the nuance of their work in person.
The main-floor corridors and upstairs gallery of Assembly Hall — at Kipling Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard — are lined with vivid, one-of-a-kind pieces that display a distinct flair of Canadian culture by showcasing specific locations or species that are native to this area.
Joanne Lomas, an artist who has been involved with the Southern Ontario Visual Arts Collective for around five years now, explained the group is just starting to transition from virtual to in-person events.
“We’re just coming back into doing shows again,” she said.
Lomas also described her feelings on once again being able to participate in non-virtual events.
“This is our second in-person event,” she said. “It’s nice after doing a lot of showing stuff online and creating an Instagram account for my work.”
Each artist involved with the Collective has a chance to demonstrate their unique style at the event, using mediums such as oil, acrylic, and watercolour in works that depict scenes such as landscapes, still life, and more.
The Southern Ontario Visual Arts Collective has participated in the exhibit at Assembly Hall in the past, showcasing their works at the gallery before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“This is my second time showcasing with Southern Ontario Visual Arts Collective at the New Works event,” Lomas said. “The first time was in 2019, so just before the pandemic.”
The event is free and will be on until July 7, with the gallery operating from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.