‘A Window Into My Gallery’, by Bev Morton.
Rose-hued zinnias line the meridian along trendy Provencher Boulevard. Beautiful as the flowers may be in the August sunshine, they can’t compete with the colour and charm of a small shop nestled on the south side of the street.
Unassuming, called simply the Wayne Arthur Gallery, this little shop houses unexpected treasures for the art lover.
Owner Bev Morton is an artist who displays many of her own pieces within the gallery. Her art is quirky, lively, fresh and appealing.
Morton is both a talented artist and a businessperson, and as you browse the store yet another side becomes apparent: she’s dedicated to the art community and promotes the works of other artists with a steadfast vigor.
Bev Morton, owner of Wayne Arthur Gallery, works to showcase local talent.
Morton works to promote the artists, strategically arranging pieces throughout the shop. Everywhere you turn, there are paintings in watercolour, oil and pastel; there are charcoal prints, photo prints, sketches and art cards; there are books, jewelry and pottery.
On the practical side, this shop might make your life easier. When you need that special gift, there is an affordable print or art card for every occasion. You’ll find absolutely charming earrings, or books produced by passionate historians, photographers and painters, many of which are self-published.
If something does catch your eye, just ask Morton. She can tell you about the artist and the artistic process. Morton understands the dictum “taste in art is subjective;” in this setting there is truly something for everyone.
‘Re-Emergence III’, smoke-fired clay, 2013, is an intriguing sculpture by Winnipeg artist Gloria De Neve.
If you are looking for an original Winnipeg discovery, a stunning sculpture in smoke-fired clay sits demurely on a brick wall. ‘Re-Emergence III’ by Gloria De Neve is one of three torso pieces which mysteriously reveal and simultaneously hide the human anatomy.
De Neve, who hails from Beausejour, is a member of the Clifton Studios artist cooperative. De Neve will be showing at the Wayne Arthur, together with six other artists, from Aug. 29 to Oct. 1 in a show called Return of the GAWMYS.
GAWMYS? Good Art Won’t Match Your Sofa, of course. And they mean it! The seven professionally trained artists are De Neve, Kathleen Hamann-Buckoski, Judith Panson, Francisco (Pancho) Puelles, Tom Roberts, Gina Roth and Erika Uustalu-Nicholson.
Don’t let the light-heartedness of the show title fool you – these artists are seriously invested in their vision; each has a unique style and artistic voice.
Affordable art cards, prints and publications abound at the Wayne Arthur Gallery.
The subject matter of the GAWMYS show will be diverse, including sculpture, paintings, photography, drawings, functional ceramic pottery, prints, and quilted and multi-media fabric art.
The gallery’s August exhibit is Travels with Quidam, a one-man show by local photographer Doug Kretchmer. The photos are a blend from two continents, sort of an East meets West in the heart of Winnipeg. A Canadian black bear, for instance, shares the space with an Indian elephant. The good news: A red dot is on the elephant photo, which in gallery code means it has been sold.
“Travels with Quidam” wraps up Aug. 27 with a “creative coffee break” at 1:30 p.m. where the photographer talks about his travels and work.
For more: waynearthurgallery.com.
Travels with Quidam photo exhibit, now showing at the gallery.
Nice story Gloria. The Mini WAG (Wayne Arthur Gallery) is a wonderful place full of hidden treasures waiting to be found.