The Walleye Magazine

The Art That Surrounds Us

Natural State Exhibit

By Olivia Bosma

Talented local artists Crystal Belanger and Barbara Dlugosz are sharing their gift—and the world through their eyes— with the community on May 6 with an art show titled Natural State at the Co. Lab Gallery & Arts Centre in the Goods & Co. Market.

Both Belanger and Dlugosz have several years of experience under their belts. Though this is their first art show together, they have worked on the murals that are displayed in the English Language Centre at Lakehead University, where they both work. “I work mostly with acrylics on canvas of various sizes,” Dlugosz says. “My art is mostly nature and natural settings. Most are local scenery and landscapes. I also have some paintings that have children in them because I have grandchildren, so some work is inspired by them.”

Using the same inspiration of the beautiful world that surrounds us, Belanger shares her work in her own special way. “I also use mostly acrylics,” she says. “However, I like to use many mediums that give a texture or depth to my work. For instance, your eye might catch volcanic pebbles and beach glass from Lake Superior.”

The artists’ upcoming exhibit will display an array of different styles of work, yet they all depict a natural state of a time, place, or memory. This show will feature nine painted canvases of various sizes. “I am most excited for Barb to share her work,” Belanger says. “I think all of her talent has been hidden for a while and she now has the opportunity to shine.”

This will be Dlugosz’s first official art show and she is looking forward to sharing her work with the community. “My art philosophy is that art should be something that everyone can experience,” she says. “To have real, original artwork in their home. That is really where I paint from; I want to provide people with original art that they can relate to.”

As for plans for the future, the pair will

continue to create beautiful artwork and share it with the community. “I want to do some really powerful pieces,” Belanger says. “I also want to start feeling a sense of community in my life again, so ideas of holding art shows in a garden, for instance, or gathering in a field to do plein air is a possibility.”

For Dlugosz, she plans on developing and expanding her artwork even further. “In recent years, I noticed that I have been more unafraid to take on challenges and explore differently the things that I do,” she says. “So, I want to take more risks with my artwork and not be afraid to try new things.”

As St. Francis of Assisi once said, “He who works with his hands is a labourer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." Come and see the art that the hands, heads, and hearts of Belanger and Dlugosz have done.

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2022-05-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

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