“The journey of life reflects a capability of piecing together many views of the world, activities and relationships as an expression of one’s vision. I attempt to reflect this as I work with multiple materiality, fabric, branches, wire, copper, paper and ceramic shards as part of a visual language suggesting a story. The story is part women’s history, the meaning of objects in everyday life and the collection and sorting of intriguing things. I strive to have my art speak as a celebration of the human spirit in relation to its Creator, whether from secret spaces or the most flamboyant expressions. The works form a record of my own journey in life.”

Click here for an in-depth interview by the World of Threads Festival
 
 

Professional Activities 1980 – Present Professional Artist: Mixed Media, Ceramics and Textiles 1997 – 2009 Colborne Society of Artists: Founding Member. A diverse group of 18 artists living and working in Northumberland County who cooperatively operate the Colborne Art Gallery. 2002 Ontario Arts Council: Exhibition Assistance Grant for Northumberland Art Gallery Solo Exhibition. 1980 – 1993 Durham Christian High School, Bowmanville, Ontario. Art Department Head. Artist Representation OENO Gallery, Bloomfield, Ontario Selected Exhibitions 2011 "Convergence", Juried Exhibition, Tom Thomson Gallery, Owen Sound "The Artist's Project", Toronto 2010 "Rock, Paper, Scissors!", Group Exhibition, OENO Gallery "The Artist's Project", Toronto 2009 "Across Borders", Group Exhibition, Redeemer University College Petroff Gallery South, Solo Exhibition Upstairs Gallery, Port Hope, Textile Show with Veronica Derry, Judith Kreps Hawkins Toronto Art Expo, Metro Toronto Convention Center, Juried Exhibition. Participant since 2004. 2008 Carriage House Gallery, “Common Thread”, with Pamela Allen and Melody Madden Toronto Art Expo, Metro Toronto Convention Center, Juried Exhibition. Participant since 2004. Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Nathan Phillips Square. Juried Exhibition. Participant since 2001. 2007 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Nathan Phillips Square. Juried Exhibition. Participant since 2001. Colborne Art Gallery, Solo Exhibition, opening September 22, 2007 2006 The Guild Shop, Ontario Crafts Council: one month exhibition, Toronto. Moose Show, CBC Broadcast Center, Toronto, Juried Show and Sale. Participant since 2003. 'Distant Voices', Traveling multi-media exhibition with La Jeunesse Girls Choir and Project Sing, University of Western Ontario. The Colborne Art Gallery, Annual Artists Group Exhibition, since 1997. The Art Gallery of Northumberland, Cobourg, Ontario, Annual Artists Juried exhibition, since 1988. 2005 Calvin College Art Gallery, Grand Rapids Michigan, USA, Group exhibitions for Alumni, also participated in 1999. Red Thread Gallery, Oakville, Ontario Group Exhibition as part of the Festival of Fibres. 2004 Craft as Art Festival, Nassau County Museum of Art, Long Island New York, Juried Exhibition Wells Street Art Festival, Chicago, Illinois, Juried Exhibition 2002 'Alice Vander Vennen: Recent Works' Solo Exhibition, The Art Gallery of Northumberland, Cobourg, Ontario. 2001 'Women’s Work – Celebration of Life', Three Women show at Roy Bonisteel’s restored Johnston Church, Trenton Ontario 2000 'Rhopography' Two person exhibition with Melanie Browne, The Colborne Art Gallery 1995 'Assembled Secrets', Solo Exhibition, The Print Gallery, Cobourg, Ontario 1987 Gallery 1,2,3, Juried Exhibition, 80 Spadina, Toronto, Ontario Redeemer College, Hamilton, Ontario, Invitational Group Show, also 1986 1986 Animal Masks, commission for Silver Creek, Trinity Theatre Production, Toronto, Ontario 1985 Bowmanville Visual Art Center, Juried Group Exhibition, also in 1984 1983 'Rural Visions', two person show with Helen Campbell, Bowmanville Visual Art Centre, Bowmanville, Ontario 1982 McLaughlin Gallery, Invitational Group Show, Oshawa Ontario 1980 Calvin College, Grand Rapids Michigan, Graduating Art Exhibition Education 1982 – 1986 Ontario College of Art and Design: Studies in Visual Art, Toronto, Ontario Jane Gordon, Ceramics; Sandra Brownlee, Textiles and 3D Design 1980 Calvin College, Grand Rapids Michigan, USA B.Ed., Four Year Major in Art Education, Minor in Philosophy & English