Niagara-area artist returns for second exhibit at Victoria Park Gallery, Kincardine

Laurie Benner of the Niagara area, has returned to Kincardine for a second time, as the guest artist at the Victoria Park Gallery in downtown Kincardine, for the month of August.

Her last appearance was in January, 2013, when she brought an impressive array of artwork to the show.

But that wasn't her first time in Kincardine either. She actually spent eight years, teaching at Kincardine District Secondary School, before that.

Originally from Fenwick on the Niagara Peninsula, between Welland and St. Catharines, Benner graduated from McMaster University in Hamilton and took teacher's college at Niagara University. KDSS was her first job, teaching English and Drama, from 1989-97.

During this time, she had no idea that she had a creative side. Her uncle is an artist, so on a whim, she signed up herself and her mother for a night-school course on drawing, at Georgian College in Owen Sound.

"Suddenly, I discovered I could draw things," she said, still somewhat surprised at her ability. She works from photographs because her imagination would still result in stick figures, she said, with a laugh.

She works mainly in chalk pastel on paper, oil pastel on canvas, and digital artwork. The pieces hanging in the guest gallery are all giclée prints, museum-quality work, done by The Design House.

Benner enjoys capturing movement and energy in her work, and each and every piece has meaning based on where the photo was taken.

For example, her favourite work, "Joy Ride," a chalk pastel on blue paper, was done from a 1940s photo of her mother horseback-riding.

"Ethereal" is digital artwork from a gymnastics class. "Wind Dance" depicts a seagull at Oliphant. A print of a lighthouse is from Port Dalhousie in the Niagara region. And "Possibilities" depicts her printmaker's keys, the lock on the steps to the Niagara Gorge, and the keyhole from a family friend's cottage in Oliphant.

Now teaching at a high school in the Niagara area, Benner taught art for awhile, but now teaches English. She also critiques and edits for a multi-published mystery author, reads Tarot cards, and is studying to become a women's empowerment coach with the SWAT Institute. She also has a dog and a cat.

Benner said she always loves coming back to Kincardine, one of her favourite places.

More of her artwork can be seen at "Laurie Benner, Artist" on Facebook.