Sheila Symington is tenacious, like the plants in her flower gardens that inspire her.
She has pursued painting in earnest for more than 35 years, ever since her children were grown.
On June 7 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Thursday Artist Talk speaker series at the Surrey Art Gallery, this Surrey-based artist will give an informal and engaging presentation about her development as a professional painter, and the progression from her earlier delicate watercolour paintings to her current strong painterly approach, primarily done in acrylics and mixed media. Her newer works are often on a silver, copper, or gold leafed canvas, using the leaf as reflected light under acrylic glazes with the addition of found objects, hand-dyed papers, text, torn papers, and handmade stamps.
A selection of artworks will be shown. Admission is free.
Symington has exhibited her work throughout B.C. for many years, and has received numerous awards. She is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA), and has her associate member designation, which recognizes a consistently high standard of artistic achievement. With her friend Kay Jenkins, she founded the successful and internationally respected White Rock Summer School of the Arts, which ran from 1993 to 2011. Symington was honoured as one of Surrey’s Civic Treasures in 2011. See her work at www.flickr.com/photos/symington
There will be time for questions and conversation during and following the talk. The event concludes by 9 p.m. Refreshments are provided. This event is presented by the Surrey Art Gallery Association in partnership with the Surrey Art Gallery, and with support from the Arts Council of Surrey.
The Surrey Art Gallery is located at 13750 88 Ave. Call 604-501-5566 or check www.surrey.ca/arts.