Caledon artist on display at Gibson Centre in Alliston

The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture is honoured to announce a retrospective exhibition of paintings by Canadian artist Evangeline Leach of Caledon.

The show is to open July 20 with a reception from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and runs through to Aug. 3. A second opportunity to meet the artist is scheduled for July 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Evangeline Leach: An Artistic Journey presents 70 works in watercolour, oil, acrylics, and on silk that span an extraordinary creative life. First nurtured on the island of Haiti, the artist's journey continued in Canada in the late 1950s through study with wellknown artists at the Mississauga Artists' Workshop. It was then significantly inspired by the weathered landscape of Georgian Bay, and later during travels to the Arizona mountains and in England, France and Monaco.

Leach's paintings have been created through wonder filled eyes that have seen the inherent magic of nature. They reflect her daring inquiry into the essence of the land, revealing both the ethereal and the delicate, as well as its raw natural force.

The artist was further encouraged and inspired by her longstanding friendship with Canadian musician and philosopher Kenneth G. Mills whose lectures underlined limitless creative expression.

The Gibson Centre is at 63 Tupper St. West in Alliston. Gallery hours are Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An illustrated exhibition guide accompanies the show. The exhibition has been made possible by the Leach Family and friends of the artist, Sun-Spirit Association, and the Kenneth G. Mills Foundation.