Look at the View from the Hill and Beyond at Guelph Civic Museum

 January 8, 2014, Guelph, ON:  View from the Hill and Beyond, a new exhibition at Guelph Civic Museum, celebrates the remarkable talents of local artists Scott Abbott, Laura Coutts, Leslie Miles, Janet Ollers and Kathleen Schmalz, and the strong connection they have with their city. The exhibition opens Friday, January 17 with a reception at 7 pm. 

 For the past year and a half these artists have been traveling about Guelph, setting up their easels and painting en plein air. Known as colourful characters to some, they stand in paint-stained coats, through all seasons, painting views of the streets, churches, rivers and bridges of Guelph. With determination, they

paint in freezing cold and in hot sun, to capture the scenes before the light changes.  Breaking for coffee to warm up in winter, or a cold drink to cool off in summer, gives the group a chance to talk over the experience and struggles of painting plein air.  The camaraderie shared offers a balance to the usual solitary practise of painting in the studio.

The group hopes that the Guelph community will enjoy seeing the results of their labour.  While working on this project the artists have developed a deeper appreciation for the topography, architecture and neighbourhoods of their city.

The exhibition will be supported by complementary programming including Art in All Weather PD Day activities, Friday, January 17, from 1 to 4 pm; In Conversation, an artist-guided tour and talk about the exhibition, Thursday, February 6, at 7 pm; and Meet the Artist, a paint-in, Saturday, March 8 from 2 to 4 pm.

View fthe Hill and Beyond runs until April 6, 2014.

Guelph Civic Museum is located at 52 Norfolk Street. The Museum is open daily from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.  For more information, call 519-836-1221 or visit guelph.ca/museum