After hearing about artist Bruce Cull’s connection to wildlife and nature, Shannon Kelly, Minden Hills’ manager of cultural services, knew she had to bring him and his artistic creations to Haliburton County.
A new exhibit ‘Connection and Response’ will debut at the Agnes Jamieson Gallery April 4, running until June 8. It will feature 22 of Cull’s original pieces, which provide an overview of the Temiskaming-based artist’s response to the natural world, Kelly said.
“I’ve gotten to know Bruce quite well over the past 18 months – this exhibit is very much his interpretation of nature, animals, and the cycle of the seasons… it touches on his fear of a lost connection with each other and our environment,” she noted.
Cull is a former curator at the Temiskaming Art Gallery and has had his pieces showcased in exhibits across the continent, including recently in New York City.
He works in various mediums, specializing in acrylic and watercolour painting, photography, and collaging. He’s also started to dabble with 3D art, Kelly noted.
Since many of his pieces are large in scale, Kelly has had a fun time coming up with displays that fit the gallery’s space.
“It’s been a bit of a Tetris game – we’ve had to move things around while still grouping things together that belong to the same theme. I think people will really resonate with his connection to nature, because that’s a big focus for a lot of County residents too,” Kelly said.
Cull will be in attendance Saturday for an opening reception at the gallery from 1 to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Kelly said she feels fortunate to be able to bring an artist of Cull’s calibre to the County, saying anyone with an affinity for fine arts should make a point to see the show.
“We’re very lucky, being such a small community, that we’re able to bring the quality of artwork in that we do – it’s amazing,” Kelly said. “Most communities don’t have public art galleries, but we do. The range of artists and creativity on display is always incredible. It really reflects the artistic community we have here.”
The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation.
