Local scenes highlighted in artwork

Some colourful local scenes will be front and centre in an art exhibit opening this weekend in Ste. Anne de Bellevue.

Canadian Art Prospector and Galerie Ouest are presenting the works of watercolourist Arthur Sheldon Phillips. Sheldon Phillips, who died in 2001, was a highly decorated artist and member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Arts.

Sheldon Phillips’s work captures the beauty of small townscapes, seascapes and landscapes. The Canadian content that will be shown in the upcoming weeks, originates from the summer of 1981 when Sheldon Phillips spent time in the Lac St. Louis region. Included and highlighted in this segment of his body of work are West Island landmarks and sites from the Pointe Claire, Beaconsfield and Ste. Anne.

Sheldon Phillips’s work would not have been known in Canada if it weren’t for his daughter, Jennifer Phillips. Phillips presented the collection of her father’s work to Brent Fedrock of Canadian Art Prospector. Fedrock, always looking for unique work and new talent, felt the Canadian aspect to Sheldon Phillips’s needs to recognized, “Not only is it relevant to the region and have a historical aspect to it, it captures what things used to be like.”

Also supporting local work and artists is the Galerie Ouest art gallery.

Galerie Ouest will host the Sheldon Phillips Canadian print series exhibition from June 19 to July 3, the vernissage is June 20 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Fedrock is excited about the exhibition taking place at this gallery in particular because he believes it is incredible for so many reasons, “The gallery draws attention to Ste. Anne de Bellevue, it adds another dimension to the area. It’s great to be able grab lunch, to look at art and take a walk down the boardwalk and see where the work originated from.” referring to the Ste. Anne Town Hall painting in the collection. The series itself evokes a feeling of nostalgia that many boat enthusiasts and mariners can enjoy.

This is the first time Arthur Sheldon Phillips work will be shown in Canada and available for purchase. Original work can be purchased as well as limited edition, museum quality, giclee print reproductions. Also, throughout the exhibition, a raffle will be held for the chance to win an original painting from the collection as well as three print reproductions. All proceeds from the raffle will go towards the Stars Foundation.

For more information on Arthur Sheldon Phillips and Canadian Art Prospector visit www.arthursheldonphillips.com and www.canadianartprospector.com respectively.

For more information on Galerie Ouest, located at 37 St. Thomas St., Ste. Anne, check www.galerieouest.ca.