Once There Was a Tree

Gloria Lee-Shoebridge will be hosting a vernissage of her most recent wood sculptures and paintings at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonald’s Corners on Sunday, October 4 from 2–4pm.

The show, entitled Once There Was a Tree, will remain open until October 31. Visitors can drop by on the chance the Schoolhouse is open, or arrange for a private tour with Gloria by calling 715–4150.

Gloria is a mostly self-taught artist. Her early years were nurtured by the natural world that surrounded her in the idyllic Souris River Valley in southern Saskatchewan. It has continued to inform her artistic vision and continued attention to details in nature ever since.

This October show presents many found forest remnants, most which are on the journey transforming from tree to earth. It is this juncture that most intrigues Gloria and deals with the art of invisible mending, similar to the Japanese art form of Kintsugi. It means the practice of repairing damaged or worn-out parts, which become part of the article’s history and aesthetic.

These repairs relate to the wounds and scars that become part of who we are. And how they contribute to our wholeness — healing the world, one stitch at a time.

Gloria’s art may be viewed at <once-there-was-a-tree.vercel.app>. All net proceeds from the sales will be donated to support The Friends of Lanark Highlands Barbers Lake defence against a proposed gravel pit that threatens the lake.