Zebra Art Collective at the Chapel Gallery.
 In Light of Winter:​  nine artists paint midwinter
  November 22 - December 14, 2019 

  Opening reception Friday Nov 22, 6-8pm.  Artist’s Talk at 6:15pm
​The Chapel Gallery at St Matthias Church, 600 Richmond Ave, Victoria.
Gallery Hours: Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am-2pm. Artists in Attendance.
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Backrow left to right: Lindsay Anderson, MaryLou Wakefield, Virginia Ronning, Katharine Geddes, Christine Harker, Kerry Brown. Front Row: Anne Pybus, Georgina Montgomery, Megan Hill.

The Zebra Art Collective was formed in 2015. Previous to that date, many were students of visual artist Michelle Miller. Their instructor taught many students at her St Matthias studio. When Miller decided to change her teaching venue, 24 of her students opted to keep the studio space and become a collective. The group organized to share expenses and duties, and support each other professionally. Miller continues to enrich the group with occasional workshops. ​The collective currently has 19 members. Nine of these artists are showing In Light of Winter. The upcoming show at the gallery supports their outreach goals to participate in exhibitions, studio tours and open houses. Group members have participated in the Bowker Street Brush Up, Fairfield Art Tour, and Sooke Fine Art Show. They held a group show at the Victoria Art Council’s Fort Street venue.

The Zebra Art Collective is delighted to be showing in the Chapel Gallery at St Matthias Anglican church. Long-time Zebra member Christine Harker describes the Chapel Gallery as well organized - with a lovely community spirit! “The gallery is a beautiful space,” she says, “and the congregation is supportive making the event feel special.” Harker believes that many artists will seek out the Chapel Gallery as a venue. The Gallery, now in its second year, has attracted a talented group of volunteer curators. Trish Shwart joins the team to curate In Light of Winter. Shwart is an established artist with a degree in Painting from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The curator explains that Advent (Dec 2-Jan 6) is one of six universal seasonal themes marked by the St Matthias ministry. December 21 marks the ‘turning of the sun’ or ‘mid-winter’ when minutes of sunlight increase daily, and light grows stronger. “Each artist in the Zebra Collective has given a personal response to the timeless theme,” she says. ​

Winter Woods by Lindsay Anderson, acrylic on canvas, 24x30 in, 2019.

Above the Fog, by Kerry Brown, acrylic on canvas, 24x30 in, 2019.

In Light of Winter presents original artworks in a variety of styles and mediums. Some artists will show two or three artworks.
​This webpage presents one artwork with a brief summary for each of the nine artists. ​​

Lindsay Anderson uses a monochromatic palette to great effect in Winter Woods. The starkly painted tree trunks give an optical quality to the painting much like photography. Textural elements in the grass and foliage add an aura of mystery. Lindsay has a background in performing arts and has recently joined the Zebra Art Collective. “I thoroughly enjoy picking up a paintbrush, while learning and collaborating with this amazing and supportive group of artists.”  lindsaylee3@hotmail.com

Kerry Brown is an emerging artist who offers the viewer an unusual perspective in Above the Fog. From atop a mountain, the foggy flowing vista and deep blue sky create a dramatic scene. Her inspirations come from photos taken on her world travels, and exploring the remarkable Vancouver Island terrain. “I favour bold, acrylic colours that evoke emotion and draw the viewer into the painting.”  kerrylb@shaw.ca

Time to bribe the sun with spotted dogs and apricots (Ganz) by Georgina Montgomery, mixed media on canvas, 24x18, 2019.

Sunset on Gabriola Island by Christine Harker, acrylic on canvas, 30x24 in, 2019

Georgina Montgomery completed a successful writing and editing career. She now embraces another form of interpretation and translation: visual art. “I once relied on words to get ideas, stories and feelings across. Now I use paint, mixed media and photography to achieve the same results.”   gma@islandnet.com  georginamontgomeryart.com

Christine Harker explores dramatic cloud patterns in Gabriola Sunset. Loosely painted bands of colour suggest a turbulent sky. Lively pinks and blues high in the sky show sunset’s brilliance. Closer to the ground are contrasting bands of ochre, tangerine and deep purple. “Currently, atmospheric paintings dominate my focus. Clouds, changing weather, dawn and sunsets are compelling themes.”   charker@shaw.ca

Morning light by Megan Hill, acrylic on canvas 24 x 30 in, 2019

Sunrise at Clover Point in December by Katharine Geddes, acrylic on canvas, 24x30 in, 2019

Megan Hill ​joined the Zebra Art Collective four years ago, after painting solo for several years. Being a part of an art collective allows her to receive support and mentor others. In Morning Light, Hill’s painting skills are evident in the mix of soft colours and well-worked textural elements. “I love how colour and shape interact and evolve in an abstract painting.”   hillmegan9@gmail.com

Katharine Geddes attended the Victoria College of Art. She studied with abstract painter Bill Porteous and artist/educator Michelle Miller. Miller describes Geddes as enthusiastic and talented, with advanced painting skills. The artwork Sunrise at Clover Point, comes from a photo taken last December. “Every morning is a new beginning,” she says, “and the winter solstice sunrise begins a whole new year”. katharine.geddes@shaw.ca .  See a Studio Visit with Katharine here

Night Light by Anne Pybus, watercolour, 24x30, 2019

Winter Solstice I by Virginia Ronning, 24x30 in, acrylic on canvas, 2018

Anne Pybus created Night Light ​in a whimsical style to celebrate the childlike wonder of warmth and light shining through darkness. She believes deeply in the capacity within each of us to develop compassionate, supportive human relationships and to live in harmony and balance with the natural environment. While working as an educator and psychologist, Anne Pybus spent many years enjoying the wilderness of the Yukon.    eannepybus@gmail.com ​

Virginia Ronning paints in a variety of styles including figural, abstracts and landscapes. Winter Solstice l is an interesting mix of abstraction and landscape; lush fall colours emerge from a snowy lower area. Through workshops, classes and support from Zebra colleagues, her artwork has flourished. “My art is about my dreams for the world, about beauty, and the soft place between joy and sadness.” ​   ​virginiaronning.com

In 53rd Street, Marylou Wakefield captures the power of cool winter light on New York’s towering buildings. For Wakefield, the exhibition title, In Light of Winter, brings to mind silvery blue streaks of illumination. These bright streaks can often be seen on dark dreary days, just above the horizon line. “In the depth of winter, light represents promise, hope, and imminent brightness just over the horizon.”  mlwakefield@shaw.ca   mlwakefieldart.com

53rd Street by MaryLou Wakefield, acrylic on canvas, 24x18, 2019.

Backrow from left: Lindsay Anderson, MaryLou Wakefield, Virginia Ronning, Katharine Geddes, Christine Harker, Kerry Brown. Front Row: Anne Pybus, Georgina Montgomery, Megan Hill.

The opening reception on Friday Nov 22 was a great success. Photos below include artists' comments.

Below: Some artists in attendance during Chapel Gallery hours posed for photos with their works. 

Georgina Montgomery with Invincible Light

Virginia Ronning with Winter Solstice I

Katharine Geddes with Sunrise at Clover Point in December

Anne Pybus with Night Light

MaryLou Wakefield with 53rd Street

Kerry Brown with Above the Fog.

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​Web Design, Photos and Content by Kate Cino
Arts writer published in Focus, Yam and Boulevard. 
History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from 
​the University of Victoria
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