A young artist from Toronto has the chance to explore her own creative projects and contribute to the vibrant arts scene on Gabriola thanks to the annual artist-in-residence program.
The program, supported by the Haven and Gabriola Arts Council, allows artists under 30 years old to apply for a month-long residency.
Talia Peckel was chosen this year and will live on Gabriola from March 26 to April 23.
Peckel said in a press release that she was thrilled and honoured to participate in the 2017 artist in residence program.
“It’s a unique opportunity to develop my work independently while still engaging with a vibrant artistic community that I can contribute to as well as integrating the surroundings into my practice,” she said. “To me, the purpose of creating murals is to embed visual art into physical spaces we inhabit on a daily basis with the intention of bringing people’s awareness more fully into the present moment and their environment.”
During her residency, Peckel will work on her own projects, participate in the Isle of the Arts Festival and engage the Gabriola community through projects such as workshops.
Peckel received a bachelor of art with a major in drawing and painting from the Ontario College of Art and Design University.
She has worked as an art instructor in a community studio in Toronto and completed a series of murals on a farm on Salt Spring Island.