It is hard to believe that the holiday season and all of the busy-ness is upon us. Yet this is also an amazing time of year for seasonal art exhibits, special events and activities. This is a great time to get reacquainted with some of our region’s arts organizations and institutions as so many plan special programming for the season, plus you may pick up a few gift ideas.
Museum London
When was the last time you visited Museum London? This is one of London’s premier organizations with a stated purpose to “connect art, history, and people.” Twice a year they hold grand opening parties for their current exhibitions and the next one is Thursday, November 27. Museum London has been working hard to show that the community belongs in their building and has increasingly highlighted local extraordinary artists in different ways. If you haven’t been for a while, the Winter Launch Party is an excellent opportunity to experience what they have to offer.
The Winter Launch Party marks the official opening of seven new installations and exhibitions, one new permanent collection installation and introduces the Museum’s new branding and website. All levels will be open for exploration with live performances, and the opportunity to meet featured artists and curators and to participate in creative events and activities.
Highlights of the latest exhibits include Cloudburst by London-based artist Billy Bert Young. These are impressive works inspired by found imagery and illustration. Cloudburst is a real departure from Young’s past works which were complex monochromatic ink drawings. This exhibit blends colour, pop culture, storytelling and baroque influences. Each work is densely packed with fantastical motifs and rich sculptural composition. The works in Cloudburst are vibrant, theatrical and dreamlike, and fully engage the viewer’s imagination.
A new permanent collection entitled All Around Me, All Around You is inspired by finding the beauty in our daily surroundings. The newly transformed Volunteer/Moore Gallery spaces will be home to this exhibit, which features stunning artworks by iconic Canadian artists and historical objects that tell stories of wonder and imagination. There are tactile and interactive elements including audio interviews with featured artists such as Jamelie Hassan, David Bobier and Kent Monkman.
Tropi-X: Brazilian Art in Canada is the largest exhibition of Brazilian art presented in Canada to date. Curated by Alena Robin, the current Chair of Visual Arts at Western University, the exhibit explores the art and ideas of Brazilian artists from the 1970s to present day. More than 70 artworks by 44 different artists explore the expressions of identity, culture and the Brazilian diaspora in Canada. One of the artists is Ian Indiano, originally from Brazil but he now calls London home. Through the thematic cores of Folklore Remix, Tropics on Loop, and Syncretic Ghosts, Tropi-X offers a timely reflection on Brazilian art’s complexity and its evolving presence in Canada’s cultural landscape.
Museum London has changed and evolved and the Winter Launch Party is worth seeing this for yourself. The Gift Shop will also be open during the Winter Launch Party. It features an extensive array of local and Canadian made gifts — a great opportunity to accomplish some of that shopping! museumlondon.ca
Image from the group exhibit, Causes, Convictions, and Cogitations, at The Arts Project Centre for Creativity
The Arts Project Centre for Creativity
Any organization, especially in the Arts, that reaches their 25th year in operation deserves a shout out. The Arts Project (TAP) Centre for Creativity has achieved this milestone in 2025. TAP has a multidisciplinary approach to the arts: there are affordable artist studios on the upper floors, the main floor features art exhibits in two distinct gallery spaces, there is a lovely intimate and newly renovated theatre/performance space, and the lower level features spaces for workshops and classes, seminars, collaborations and co-working activities.
I have been involved with TAP as an exhibitor, theatre renter, and avid attendee since its opening in 2000, and most recently as a Board member because I believe in the crucial role TAP plays in the arts community locally and regionally. All artists need affordable, flexible and supportive space to work and grow, and that is what TAP provides for both established and emerging artists.
Artist Lisa Johnson will present a new show, Full Circle, at Westland Gallery
The art gallery spaces at TAP change every few weeks and this is a great reason to stop by frequently. In November a group exhibit from Ron Hawkins, David Ray Alexander and Greg Smith called Causes, Convictions, and Cogitations opens. If their names seem familiar, they are all musicians and band mates from the group Lowest of the Low. They spin words and imagery, often pushing against accepted norms and the establishment, giving voice to their paintings that their fans have come to relish in their music. The exhibit will run November 4–29, with an opening reception on Friday, November 7.
The Bruce B. Johnson Theatre has been an important venue for local and touring artists of all kinds. Now that the renovations are completed, it is starting to get busy. TAP is presenting Paul Hutcheson and Guest on Thursday, November 20. The evening will be full of laughs and stories and proceeds from ticket sales will support TAP activities and programming. tapcreativity.org
Westland Gallery
Every visit to Old South’s Wortley Village requires a drop in to Westland Gallery. One of the artists that gallery proprietor Al Stewart has been representing 25 years is Lisa Johnson. Her upcoming solo exhibit, entitled Full Circle, features large abstracted landscapes that are breathtaking and are the result of her recent residency in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland. Full Circle will be exhibited until November 29.
In December Westland Gallery will have a fun From the Vault exhibit. The works in this show are gems that have been hiding in storage and accumulating over the years. This show will be combined with a small works exhibit by local and regional artists with those artists to be announced shortly.
Since The Westland Gallery is actually up for sale, this may be one of the last opportunities to experience this wonderful space under Al Stewart’s guidance. We all hope that it will continue as an artistic space for years to come. westlandgallery.ca
Art with Panache gallery founder and owner Audrey Cooper
Arty-facts
Here For Now Theatre in Stratford is presenting their first winter season, featuring three productions that blend myth, comedy, honesty and holiday spirit. These plays continue HFN’s tradition of producing innovative, actor-driven Canadian theatre.
Pandora, written and performed by Jessica B. Hill (seen in Stratford Festival’s 2025 Sense and Sensibility) is the season opener, with themes that explore the connection between myth and modern science. Reproduktion by Amy Rutherford examines the primal desire to procreate, and what it means to create a life of meaning if that call is unanswered.
The final show in the series, Ruby and the Reindeer by Mark Crawford stars Stratford favourites Maev Beaty, Tabitha Campbell, Ijeoma Emesowum, Gordon Miller and Benedict Campbell. herefornowtheatre.com
Ruby and the Reindeer at Here for Now Theatre, Stratford
Port Stanley Festival Theatre has a marvelous off-season line-up that features plenty of musical concerts, mostly tributes to well-known acts. If you are pining for a traditional experience, one that would be great for the entire family, they are presenting a staged reading of the classic A Christmas Carol adapted by Liz Gilroy. This will definitely put you in the spirit of the season! psft.ca
The idea of small dimension artwork exhibits is a popular one. The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre (STEPAC) is hosting its miniature art exhibit November 15–December 19. All of the works are approximately 8 inches by 10 inches, including three-dimensional works. All will be for sale and, since they are small, make great gifts. stepac.ca
I received a wonderful email from Lyn Tremblay, one of the gallery volunteers at Art With Panache in the Talbot Centre on Richmond Street. The gallery features an eclectic array of one of a kind creations by local artists and artisans.
Until December 20 they have their show, Smalls on Walls, featuring local artists working on a smaller scale. Gallery owner Audrey Cooper recently celebrated her 98th birthday and is still a force in the art world in London. Happy belated birthday Audrey! artwithpanachelondon.weebly.com
