2015
Simcoe Watershed Art Project
Simcoe Watershed Art Project is a collaborative visual arts project with an environmental theme which was created to involve artists in the expression and documentation of the wonders and the concerns inherent in the worldʼs watersheds.
Designed to promote environmental stewardship and awareness through creative expression, this project will engage artists in educational and meaningful art experience and will generate stimulating contemporary art exhibitions. Originally focused on the Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching watersheds, the project has expanded to included all watersheds. Our educational workshops have engaged young people in contemporary and traditional creative activities that reflect environmental concerns and promote the use and exploration of sustainable materials.
Artists Afloat generates authentic and inspirational watershed experiences for artists, engaging in boat trips and outdoor excursions that encourage research and creative expression.
Steering committee members
JENNIE CLARK -AOCA
Jennie Clark is the originator of the Simcoe Watershed Art Project. She is an active visual artist and art educator and is a member of the professional artists collective, Gallery 111, in Barrie, Ontario. An honors graduate of the Ontario College of Art, Jennie worked professionally as a graphic artist, illustrator and art director for twenty years. Graduating with honors from Georgian College Advanced Fine Arts in 2006, her focus is on fine art printmaking with imagery inspired by natural phenomena.
CAROL DEIMLING
Carol Deimling is an emerging visual artist who is studying watercolour and acrylic painting and print- making. Carol was a secondary school teacher and an education consultant for thirty-two years. She has participated in a variety of exhibitions in Unionville and Simcoe County and her photography is published in Journey and Harmony as well as in a book produced for the Simcoe Health Foundation called Resilience.
Carol is a founding member of the Simcoe Watershed Art Project. Much of her work explores nature and our relationship to natural things.
Carol volunteers in various organizations and art institutions in Orillia, Ontario.
KAREN WILD -AOCA
Karen currently practices as a visual artist focusing on painting, assemblage and sculpture integrating detritus/found objects. Influenced by travel, water, motifs, architecture and people, considers her practice a timeless ongoing process.
Karen exhibits nationally and internationally with work found in many private collections in Canada, USA, Japan, China, Britain and Italy.
Innisfil Art, Culture and Heritage Council; director
Simcoe Watershed Art Project; founding and steering committee, curator…
karenwilddesigns@gmail.com
MARGARET Mc CLELLAND
Margaret Mc Clelland was born in Ireland and educated at the University of Ulster. She specialized in printed and woven textiles and won the Count Cinzano’s award for Textile Design during her student years.
Margaret taught for 5 years in Ireland before she emigrated with her family in 1975 to Canada. She taught Visual Arts in several high schools in Toronto until she retired in 2002.
On her retirement she decided to enjoy Art for it’s own sake and has been creating Art ever since. Margaret uses many media to express herself…acrylic paint, oils, watercolour, pastels, and is currently working with ceramics.
Collective CV
Galleries and workshops to date
The Simcoe Watershed Art Project/Artists Afloat has created and facilitated the following series ofexhibitions, workshops and events beginning in 2011.
* Oct‐Dec, 2014‐ Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie ON Curated by Frances Thomas
* Sept, 2014‐ Le Studio Gallery, a steering committee exhibition, called Bassin Versant
*April‐May, 2014‐ Double Doors Gallery, Anten Mills, an exhibition by invitation called Watershed
*December, 2013‐ Barrie City Hall rotunda, a photography exhibition called Focused
*September, 2013‐ Orillia Museum of Art and History, Art H2O workshops developed for children and
youth with a grant from the Province of Ontario.
*May‐June, 2013‐ Quest Art Gallery, a juried exhibition called Runoff
*October, 2012‐Barrie City Hall rotunda, an exhibition called Water Effects
*August, 2012‐ Beaverton Big Bite, A’ la “Art”, participation in a group exhibition
*August, 2012‐ Splash Festival, Jackson’s Point sponsored by the Ladies of the Lake Environmental
Association, presented wood block printmaking family workshop
*May‐June, 2012‐ Keswick High School, sponsored by the Ladies of the Lake Environmental Association,
facilitated wood block printmaking and lawnroller printmaking workshops for secondary school students
*May 15‐June, 30 2012‐ Orillia Museum of Art and History, an exhibition called Waterline~Timeline
*April, 2012‐ Barrie Spring Art Tour, Camphill Foundation Gallery, group exhibition
*May, 2012‐ Barrie City Hall Rotunda, Barrie Art Club, group exhibition
*May, 2012‐Artists Afloat hosted a photography trip on the Fraser Creek
*December, 2011‐Barrie City Hall rotunda, an exhibition called Lake Effects
*October, 2011‐Artists Afloat hosted a photography trip on the Holland River by barge
*September, 2012‐Artists Afloat invited artists for a painting/photography trip on the Island Princess on
Lake Couchiching, Orillia
*August, 2011‐ Splash Festival, created designs for silk screen and printed and sold t‐shirts
*August, 2011‐ Splash Festival, Jackson’s Point, facilitated children’s shadowbox workshops sponsored
by the Ladies of the Lake Environmental Association
*July, 2011‐ Big Bite Beaverton, A’ la “Art”, participation in a group exhibition
*June, 2011‐ Keswick High School and Our Lady of the Lake High School sponsored by the Ladies of the
Lake Environmental Association, facilitated wood block carving and lawnroller printmaking workshops
for secondary school students
*June, 2011‐ Double Door Studio Gallery, Anten Mills, ON, a 12 x 12 exhibition called Ripples
*May, 2011‐ Kathleen Gormley MacKay Gallery, Unionville, an exhibit called The Ripple Effect
*April, 2011‐ Artist Afloat painting/photography trip on the Fraser Creek by barge
For information contact the Simcoe Watershed Art Project/ArtistsAfloat at
http://simcoewatershedartproject.com/blog/
watershedart1@gmail.com
Look for us on Facebook!
Simcoe Watershed Art Project acknowledges the following for support:
Michael Coughlin, Double Door Studios and Gallery, Frederick Horsman Varley Gallery , Jeanette
Luchese, Joanna McEwen, Ladies of the Lake Environmental Association, Lake Simcoe Living Magazine,
Ontario Arts Council, Orillia Museum of Art and History, Quest Art School and Gallery, and the York
Region Arts Council.
Making it Happen: Jennie Clark, Karen Wild, Margaret McClelland, Carol Deimling, Mary Cellucci and friends...