PERIVALE—Northern Ontario’s premier artist Ivan Wheale may be fast approaching the nine-decade mark of life, but the renowned painter has not slowed down in either quantity or quality of his work one iota. As is traditional, the unveiling of Mr. Wheale’s latest works took place at the opening of Perivale Gallery, located at 1320 Perivale Road East in Spring Bay.
“I shook things up a bit this year,” admitted Mr. Wheale. Noted for his close-focused oils capturing the intimate details of Georgian Bay, his works are highly sought after, especially by those whose hearts have been captured by the raw beauty of the region. This year is no exception to that rule, although the artist has widened his subjects with this exhibition.
Over nearly a century of life one amasses a large number of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Wheale said he looks forward to the opportunity to meet up with many of his fans and admirers during the show opening.
This year, Nola Haner of Mindemoya was on hand to greet her old friend and mentor. Her eyesight is now failing, making it challenging to take in the new pieces adorning the walls, but it is Ivan she has come to visit.
Ms. Haner recalls how it was her intervention that helped launch Mr. Wheale’s immensely popular painting workshops.
“The first one he offered, hardly anyone signed up,” she recalled. “I wanted to take lessons, so I got on the phone and I rounded up enough people to have the class go ahead.” Since then, the classes became so popular that it is often joked that one has to watch the obituaries to find an opening.
For his part, Mr. Wheale arrived at the opening a bit early and could be found wandering the gallery to look at the many works by other artists on display.
“I think things are in good shape,” he pronounced. “These are really amazing works.”
Mr. Wheale has garnered numerous awards over the course of his career, including an honourary degree L.L.D. from Laurentian University, the Rotary International Paul Harris Award and from the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council. He continues his work as an advisory board member for the Art Gallery of Sudbury, the Ontario Arts Council, Cambrian College and the Laurentian University Task Force as well as being a member of the Northern Cancer Foundation, Northeastern Manitoulin Property Association, Manitoulin Fine Arts Association and Little Current Public Library boards—he is artist emeritus and is co-founder of the famed La Cloche Art Show.
For those who cannot make the trip out to Perivale Gallery to see ‘Nature’s Gifts’ in person, images of his latest works can be found online at PerivaleGallery.com. But the trip out is well worth the effort as nothing compares to seeing the real deal up close and personal—and there are a host of other accomplished artists’ works to be seen.
Perivale Gallery owner Shannon McMullan was on hand to greet visitors to the gallery, old and new, but she has a special mission when a youth comes in. She asks the youth to tell her which piece they liked the best.
“I tally up the responses and then, at the end of the season, I can tell the artists how many youth picked their work,” she said.
