New art exhibition in Timmins showcases original works by women

Five artists in Timmins – all women have banded together to put on a free exhibition in support of themselves and also to raise funds for charities near and dear to their hearts.

'Art On Her Sleeves' is a art soirée and fundraising event hosted by Art by MFLG which will showcase five local female artists. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)"I figured it would be a good idea to turn it into a fundraiser and donate partial proceeds to five different organizations of each artist’s choice," said Marie-France Lafleur-Gagnon of Art by MFLG.

A year ago, Lafleur-Gagnon approached four of her artist friends and asked them to join her for what will be her first public exhibition.

“We’re less recognized in the artists’ world so it was important to me to approach the female artists that I knew," she said.

One of those artists is Gilberte Mathieu, she is Lafleur-Gagnon's former high school art teacher who told CTV News this opportunity was the encouragement she needed.

“Usually I’m in my little office, I’m doing some art just for me to create or to leave the stress (or) whatever, never to show,” said Mathieu.

“It’s new for me."

All works in the exhibition are as unique as their creators.

“I like to use CDs but I also like to use records and 8-tracks just because I do love music and a lot of these are no longer useable objects so I feel like giving them new life through art is wonderful," said Marie-Josee Arsenault, one of the other featured artists.

'Art On Her Sleeves' is a art soirée and fundraising event hosted by Art by MFLG which will showcase five local female artists. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)Donna Spears Lauzon is another painter who will be part of the exhibition, she is known for turning people's late pets into lasting tributes.

“I’m a very emotional painter,” she said.

“I paint loosely, I paint impressionistic and I try to put the heart and soul into what I’m painting."

Dale Morrish is the final artist who's also been working to prepare pieces for the soirée, ‘Art On Her Sleeves.’

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The art soirée will take place at Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa on Nov. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will include live music performed by the Timmins Symphony Orchestra along with cocktails and canapés.

'Art On Her Sleeves' is a art soirée and fundraising event hosted by Art by MFLG which will showcase five local female artists. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)