Artist of the Month – September, 2016

Peace River residents will recognize our September artist of the month, Vivian St. Andre, as someone with a deep personal history in the Peace. Vivian followed her passion for art with a Visual Arts Education through Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC), Athabasca University and Fairview College. She continued to supplement her studies by taking summer art classes in Edmonton and Red Deer and more recently participated in Art History Tours through GPRC/NAIT which took her and fellow travellers/artists to galleries in London, Venice and Eastern Canada.
Vivian deftly captures the expressiveness of the environment, the nuances of everyday objects and musicians and dancers poised at their art. Some may remember her many contributions to art exhibits at the once Fairview College (PR Campus), now Northern Lakes College, Fairview Creative Arts Centre, Grande Prairie Regional College and her works on exhibit with other Peace of Art members at the Library and Art Gallery and  at Java Domain. Do you recall viewing the bold canvass with the cello player intent on the sounds he was drawing from the instrument or the almost life-sized ballerina gracefully bent to wrap the ribbons of her pointe slippers?

“The subject matter of my art is as varied as the mediums I like to work with. The subjects are represented either traditionally or in abstract form. Some may have a voice recognizing human or environmental issues but generally my art expresses my appreciation for the beauty of nature, the human body, people, architecture and the fine arts of music and dance." (Quote by Vivian St. Andre in her artist's statement)

While her favourite medium is pastels, she also works in photography, paints with watercolours, acrylic and in past works explored oils. A canoe on a summer’s day is featured on the Art Wall this month and the poplars of our boreal forest make the viewer feel like reaching out to touch the soft bark painted on another canvass. Reminisce with pioneer school desks or enjoy the architecture of heritage buildings in eastern Canada through the artist’s eye.

Drop by to view Vivian’s work any time from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm.