Madrona Gallery: Max Maynard & Colin Graham | Feb. 8-11 | 606 View St.
An exhibition pairing two major figures of Victoria's 20th-century arts community is featured at Madrona Gallery. Max Maynard helped bring forward modernist ideas in the 1930s with Emily Carr and Jack Shadbolt. Colin Graham arrived in the 1950s after studies in England and California to work as the founding director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. He was also a member of the famous Limners group. Both artists helped shape the Victoria arts community and the regional style we know today.
The opening reception runs Feb. 8 from 1-3 p.m.
Madrona Gallery: April Ponsford | Feb. 22 - March 8 | 606 View St.
Since she was born in Prince Rupert and subsequently moved to Victoria, April Ponsford has felt a deep reverence for nature that she felt compelled to express through abstract paintings. Her works stand out for her brushwork and palette knife techniques, evoking fleeting moments in time and expressing hidden narratives that gradually reveal themselves to the viewer.
In her second solo exhibition with Madrona, Ponsford brings together a collection of 13 new paintings. She will attend the opening reception, Feb. 22 from 1-3 p.m.
Visit madronagallery.com for more.
The Avenue Gallery: Sheila Davis, Robert Wilman, Guy Hollington | 2184 Oak Bay Ave.
A professional artist for over 26 years, Sheila Davis’ dynamic brushstrokes and vibrant hues capture the organic vibrancy of our lively environment. Painting both plein air and in studio, Davis’ work is reflective of the natural landscapes she is drawn to.
An elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists, the Ontario Society of Artists and a Senior Signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Davis' work has been featured in magazines, on television and is in private and corporate collections around the world.
Also this month at The Avenue Gallery is the stunning woodturning of Robert Wilman, a talented artist from Pender Island. With over 40 years of experience, Wilman primarily works with salvage wood, including native maple, fruitwoods, and ornamental trees. His pieces often highlight natural imperfections such as spalting, cracks, and exposed bark, embracing the wood’s inherent beauty and character.
Wilman’s process combines precision with spontaneity, guided by the grain and defects of the wood. He uses both power and hand-carving tools to create unique textures, often incorporating dyes, stains, and metal leaf. Each piece evolves organically, with no two being exactly alike, ensuring that every creation is one-of-a-kind.
Lastly, Guy Hollington began his career in glass almost by chance; an offhand comment led to an introductory six-week course that then morphed into a passion for the blown glass medium. Further study at both the Corning Museum of Glass and the Pilchuk School of Glass provided insight into more of the intricacies of glass blowing and further refinement of his technique.
“As well as being a visually stimulating medium, glass is also highly tactile. The smoothness of the finished piece encourages the owner to hold the piece and enjoy the curves. I enjoy the fact that the art of this medium is not limited to the visual spectrum,” Hollington said.
Visit theavenuegallery.com for more.
