BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//MERA - ECPv6.15.11//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:MERA X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for MERA REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Toronto BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260404T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260404T140000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260225T151540Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T163830Z UID:10002126-1775304000-1775311200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artist at MERA: A Generational Show DESCRIPTION:Meet the Artists at MERA April 4th \nA Generational Show \nA Generational Show is an art exhibit that features the work of a family of artists: Deb Shea\, Ida Bova\, Lochlann Moodie and Zoe-Rose Metcalfe. Join us at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A in McDonalds Corners for MERA’s April art exhibition. We invite you to the show opening at our Meet the Artist Event in Dean Hall\, Saturday April 4th from 12 pm to 2 pm. \nWhat does it mean to spread whatever knowledge we hold and hand that knowledge down to the younger generations? Art in all its forms creates a satisfaction\, not so much in the proud finished piece\, but within our own minds as it moves from the world outside to the inside world. Art is the place to turn to when the world lays angry at our feet. Art is a waiting place where we can always pick up a brush loaded with colour and transform a blank canvas into something else. It is this peace of mind to hand down. A very special place to retreat to. A foothold for generations to balance on. \nDeb Shea: Is a Lanark Highlands artist who works in watercolour and acrylics. As both an artist and grandmother\, Deb understands the beauty of legacy — how creativity moves through generations like a quiet inheritance. Through her art\, Deb recreates the emotional connection she has had with the art work. \nIda Bova: Ida is a mostly self-taught artist from Almonte\, Ontario. For as long as she can remember she has always taken pleasure in creating drawings\, paintings\, sculptures\, and many other forms of her own expression. Ida takes great joy in discovering the “personality” of the medium she is using\, and oscillates between a variety of mediums\, regularly. When she isn’t painting\, or creating\, Ida is running a business\, parenting her daughter\, and finding ways to play in the world around her. \nLochlann Moodie: Lochlann is a thirteen-year-old artist exploring expression through\nacrylic painting. Also a dedicated pianist\, he brings a natural sense of rhythm and movement to his paintings. Growing up within three generations of artists\, creativity has always been part of his everyday world. He often uses Bob Ross tutorials as a jumping point or paints alongside his Nana. He is now emerging into the use of colours to capture parts of the Canadian landscape. \nZoe-Rose Metcalfe: Zoe-Rose would describe herself as a “real kid artist”. Since she was old enough to hold something in her hands\, and use it with intention\, she has created beautiful art. She often passes her time drawing doodles in her journals\, or colouring creations that tell very imaginative stories. Often\, when the mood strikes\, she will sit with her Mother and paint or create in parallel to Mom. For Zoe\, art has become a meaningful way to find regulation in a very noisy world\, and is something she does with a zest and passion that transcends through her artwork. \nYou can view the exhibit for the entire month April. In fact\, why not swing by during MERA’s Saturday Café from 10 am to 2 pm? To arrange to see the exhibition at other times\, please contact Tim Booth at timothybooth9@gmail.com. \nMERA (McDonalds Corners/Elphin Recreation & Arts) is committed to facilitating and promoting activities and programs for all ages which help bring this rural community together and to promoting awareness and understanding of the arts and well-being. For more information\, please visit our website www.meraschoolhouse.org. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artist-at-mera-deb-shae/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/photo-socials.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260403T143000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260403T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260225T151238Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T151827Z UID:10002125-1775226600-1775232000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Installation DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-installation-5/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260308T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260308T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260209T191452Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T021005Z UID:10002113-1772978400-1772985600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artists at MERA: MERA's Potters\, Weavers and Quilters DESCRIPTION:Meet the Artist at MERA \nMERA’s Potters\, Weavers and Quilters \nWith great excitement\, MERA’s pottery\, weaving and quilting groups come together to display their work. MERA’s March art exhibition will honor these groups who continue the tradition of craft and the joy of making things. We invite you to the show opening at our Meet the Artist Event in Dean Hall\, Sunday March 8th from 2 pm to 4 pm. \n An exhibition of pots\, weaving and quilts combines the formative crafts of MERA’s formation as a community hub for creative arts\, and\, more generally\, in the deeply human art of self expression. These crafts turn quotidian items into works of interest\, colour and beauty. MERA initially collected together the heritage crafts of weaving\, quilt making and pottery stitching them into the texture of this community. All three creative ventures continue to thrive here. Welcome to this exhibition of the community’s work. \nYou can view the exhibit for the entire month March. In fact\, why not swing by during MERA’s Saturday Café from 10 am to 2 pm? To arrange to see the exhibition at other times\, please contact Tim Booth at timothybooth9@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artists-at-mera/ CATEGORIES:Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Potters-Weavers-and-Quilters-socials.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260301T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260301T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260217T141718Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T141718Z UID:10002124-1772370000-1772380800@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Installation DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-installation-4/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260201T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260201T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260113T181607Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T184727Z UID:10002106-1769954400-1769961600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artist at MERA: Shelley Leach DESCRIPTION:Meet the Artist at MERA February 1st\nCanadian landscape and Wilderness artist Shelley Leach \nMERA welcomes lovers of picturesque landscapes and beautiful vistas. We invite you to the show opening at our Meet the Artist Event in Dean Hall\, Sunday February 1st from 2 pm to 4 pm. This exhibit features the work of Canadian landscape artist Shelley Leach. \nShelley is Canadian landscape and wilderness artist working in oil\, acrylic\, and watercolour. Her work blends realism and impressionism\, rooted in over two decades of full-time professional practice. She says that her “…work reflects a deep connection to the natural world\, shaped by personal exploration of the Canadian landscape. Through my artwork I hope to inspire your desire to preserve the natural beauty that surrounds us.” \nYou can find her original artworks in permanent collections\, including the City of Ottawa Fine Arts Collection and the Canadian War Museum\, where a work of remembrance was acquired into the museum’s permanent collection in 2012. Although figurative rather than landscape\, this piece reflects the same commitment to creating meaningful art. My work is also represented in numerous corporate and private collections. \nShe often speaks about the stories behind the painting – where it was created\, what inspired it\, and why it matters. This commitment to meaning and connection is central to her practice as an artist. Come to the event to meet Shelley and discover more about her work. Who knows? Maybe you will be drawn to a painting of a landscape you recognize? \nYou can view the exhibit for the entire month February. In fact\, why not swing by during MERA’s Saturday Café from 10 am to 2 pm? To arrange to see the exhibition at times other than this\, please contact Tim Booth at timothybooth9@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artist-at-mera-february/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Shelley-Leach-Bio-Photo-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260131T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260131T150000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260113T181451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T181451Z UID:10002105-1769864400-1769871600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Installation DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-installation-3/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260117T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260117T140000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260103T160346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T174436Z UID:10002104-1768651200-1768658400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artists at MERA: Woodworking DESCRIPTION:Meet the Artists at MERA January 17th:\nTimothy Booth\, Barry Russell\, Keith Johnson and Gloria Shoebridge \nMERA welcomes lovers of wood design and craftsmanship to “Wood Creations” a unique exhibit by MERA members. We invite you to the show opening at our Meet the Artist Event in Dean Hall\, Sunday January 17th from 12 pm to 2 pm. This exhibit features the functional\, handcrafted pieces by Timothy Booth\, Barry Russell\, Keith Johnson and Gloria Shoebridge. \nTim Booth is deeply dedicated to the arts and the environment\, and his love of nature is expressed in his woodworking process. He believes the wood should speak for itself. He is passionate about using local natural and reclaimed materials in his works. Tim’s adept designs and choice of wood selections create aesthetically pleasing and durable furniture and crafts. \nBarry Russell is a retired teacher who took up woodworking over 10 years ago. He started with refinishing and repurposing antique furniture. Then he became interested in using slabwood and mill rejected wood that often has character because of the defects. He likes to work with material that is locally sourced and tries to create unique pieces. \nKeith Johnson became interested in woodworking in his late 20’s. He spent 35 years building kitchens\, custom cabinets and fireplace mantels in his shop in McDonalds Corners. In retirement he has taken up woodturning. He is particularly interested in figured woods such as burls and spalted wood. All of his bowls are from the forests of Lanark County. \nGloria Lee-Shoebridge began her life in the beautiful river valley in Saskatchewan. Her art practice is like a meditation and her work focuses on the energy that nature provides for her artistic inspiration\, using acrylic\, water colour and mixed media. Her work in this exhibit showcases found pieces of wood she has used to create sculptures. She calls her collection ‘About Hope’.\nYou can view the exhibit for the entire month January. In fact\, why not swing by during MERA’s Saturday Café from 10 am to 2 pm? To arrange to see the exhibition at times other than this\, please contact Tim Booth at timothybooth9@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artists-at-mera-woodworking-2/ CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_3157.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260111T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260111T130000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20260103T160252Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260103T160252Z UID:10002103-1768129200-1768136400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Installation DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-installation-2/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251108T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251108T150000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20251016T150956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251030T164316Z UID:10001973-1762606800-1762614000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artists - The MERA Art Circle DESCRIPTION:This multi-artist exhibition by the MERA Art Circle is called MERA Artists. The MERA Art Circle is a welcoming group of people who meet weekly\, set out the paints\, brushes and materials to play and be creative. The exhibition features many different styles and media that show imagination\, skill\, beauty and play. There are small works and larger works available for purchase for the coming holiday season. Meet the Artists event will take place in conjunction with the MERA Christmas Fair\, Nov 8\, between 1:00 and 3:00pm. \n \n \n \nYou are invited to join The MERA Art Circle at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonald’s Corners (974 Dalhousie Concession 9A) on Saturday November 8th\, 1pm to 3pm to meet the artists\, view their works and purchase that “must have” piece. If you cannot attend the Meet the Artist event\, arrange another viewing time throughout the month of November please contact Tim Booth timothybooth9@gmail.com. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artists-the-mera-art-circle/ CATEGORIES:Art,Art circle,Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Helen-Mogford-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251030T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251030T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20251016T141151Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T141151Z UID:10001972-1761836400-1761840000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Public Viewing - Hugh McBride DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/public-viewing-hugh-mcbride/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251011T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251011T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250908T002112Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T142200Z UID:10001858-1760191200-1760198400@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artist - Hugh McBride DESCRIPTION:Looking Backward. Moving Forward.\nAn exhibition of street and landscape photography\nHugh is a photographer based in Gatineau\, Quebec\, with an interest in documentary work and environmental portraiture centered on human connection.\nHe works in both digital and traditional analog formats. \nWhile largely self-taught\, he has taken courses at several institutions and studied with 2023 Prix Pictet short-listed photographer Siân Davey and Toronto-based multi-disciplinary artist Lyla Rye. \nHugh has participated in numerous group exhibitions and held several solo exhibitions of his work.\nHe was awarded Best Figurative [portraiture] at Dark Room 4.0\, a juried group exhibition of analog photography held by the 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture\, Arts\, Media\, and Education at the 2015 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. \n  URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artist-hugh-mcbride/ CATEGORIES:Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PRINT-Boy-in-Fountain-1856-V2-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250914T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250914T150000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250905T220319Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T002312Z UID:10000653-1757847600-1757862000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artists at MERA - Our Board of Directors! DESCRIPTION:Art by the MERA Board of Directors \nFor September’s Art Exhibit at Dean Hall\, we challenged our Board members to display their works. You can meet the artists / Board members at our Open House on Sunday\, September 14 from 11 am to 3 pm at the MERA Schoolhouse\, 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A\, McDonald’s Corners. \nThe show offers wide array of media\, from pottery\, acrylics\, jewelry\, stained glass\, woodwork\, and photography. This art show is on display until the end of September. \nYou are invited to join The MERA Board at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonald’s Corners (974 Dalhousie Concession 9A) on Saturday September 14th\, 11am to 3pm to meet the artist\, view their works and purchase that “must have” piece. If you cannot attend the Meet the Artist event\, arrange another viewing time throughout the month of September please contact Tim Booth timothybooth9@gmail.com. \nJan Griffiths\, Chair of the Board\nJan Griffiths\, retired special needs educator from Toronto\, now thrives in Lanark. Jan is a talented acrylic and watercolour artist. Lately she has been exploring printmaking. She is a member of the Pottery Studio where she creates ceramics that reflect her love of nature while jiving to hits from the seventies. \nPatti-Jo Wilson\, Co-Vice Chair\nPatti-Jo (PJ to most folks) is a life time resident of the area. She is part of the local farmers’ market\, the board at MERA and the The McDonalds Corners Agricultural Society. Her craft started over 20 years ago\, with creating very simple with tree and wreath ornaments. Now works with wire crystals and gem stones and specializes in making trees of life and trees of life pendants. \nTimothy Booth\, Co-Vice Chair\nTim is deeply dedicated to the arts and the environment and his love of nature is expressed in his wood working process. He believes the wood should speak for itself. He is passionate about using local\, natural and reclaimed materials in his works. Tim’s adept designs and choice wood selections create aesthetically pleasing and durable furniture and crafts. \nLyndal Neelin\, Secretary\,\nLyndal lives on Patterson Lake in a house she and her husband built on his family’s long-time cottaging property. She has her own pottery wheel and kiln as well as being a member of MERA’s pottery studio. Lyndal also enjoys dollhouses\, embroidery and knitting. She is an avid audio book enthusiast who is happiest lost in a story and a cross-stitching project. \nLouise Ennis\, Treasurer\nLouise is involved with fundraising at MERA and runs the MERA’s Café for concerts and special events. She has resurrected her passion for photography having spent earlier years in the darkroom and is now so grateful for digital technology! Louise approach to photography is connecting with nature\, stories and design. \nAnkaret Dean\, Director\nAnkaret is one of the founding members of MERA and has a deep interest in multiple arts\, especially basketry. Ankaret Dean has been enjoying basketry since the 1970s. After graduating from the Sheridan College School of Design in 1975\, she travelled extensively\, teaching and exhibiting her work. Since moving to a farm in McDonalds Corners in 1991\, she has been actively involved in the MERA School House\, and in 2018 she opened the Lanark Highland Basketry Museum. \nJenny Findlay\, Director\nJenny’s connection to MERA started over 15 years ago\, when she and her husband purchased a cottage in the area and regularly enjoyed the Saturday market on weekends. They have since followed their hearts to this place that felt so much like home and moved to a heritage farm property. Jenny enjoys many different pursuits such as knitting\, sewing\, jewellery making\, needle felting. Her latest love is making stained glass art. \nAlexis Scott\, Administrator\nAlexis grew up in this area and she has worked as a performer\, producer and facilitator for over 10 years. Alexis values of working in the arts and living rurally. At MERA she taught a successful drama camp in 2023 and 2024. Alexis is a member of the MERA pottery studio. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/8630/ CATEGORIES:Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/meet-the-artist-bod-914225.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250606T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250606T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250610T144223Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T165457Z UID:10000645-1749218400-1749229200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Exhibition Installation DESCRIPTION:Installation of monthly art Exhibit in Dean Hall URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-exhibition-installation/ CATEGORIES:Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250503T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250503T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250609T212153Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T180330Z UID:10000642-1746280800-1746288000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artist: Suzette MacSkimming DESCRIPTION:Soul Search: abstract expressions by Suzette MacSkimming \nYou are invited to join Suzette at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonald’s Corners (974 Dalhousie Concession 9A) on Saturday May 3rd\, 2pm to 4pm to meet the artist\, view her works and purchase that “must have” piece. \nSoul Search: abstract expressions is an exhibition of new and recent acrylic paintings by Suzette MacSkimming. These works are the latest culmination of a lifelong artistic career\, during which Suzette has explored the endless possibilities of abstract expressionist painting. Working in a tradition that began as an artistic resistance movement\, a desire for new beginnings\, Suzette has evolved her own style of abstraction exploding with vibrant colour and dynamic movement. Her paintings turn the viewer’s imagination loose to run free in a space where inner and outer worlds collide. \nA fine-arts graduate of the University of California at Berkeley\, Suzette studied with many leading west-coast abstract expressionists. After a year travelling in Europe\, she moved to Canada\, studying with Robert Markle and Dennis Burton in Toronto\, and Richard Gorman and Leonard Gherbrandt in Ottawa. \nSuzette’s work has been widely exhibited by galleries\, including Ottawa’s Atrium Gallery at Centrepointe\, Agnes Etherington Art Centre in Kingston\, and successive galleries in Perth\, where she moved in 2002. She has worked in residence at the Contemporary Artists’ Center in North Adams\, Massachusetts\, where she created and exhibited a series of large monoprints. In 2007 fifteen prints from that series were purchased by the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University\, Ottawa\, where they are on permanent display. \nSuzette will also be offering a workshop on Friday May 23rd\, 10:30am to 4pm. $60 for MERA members and $75 for non members. Space is limited. Please register by emailing MERA admin meraschoolhouse@gmail.com URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artist/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suzette-MacSkimming-0525.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250501T143000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250501T163000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250610T143953Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T144509Z UID:10000644-1746109800-1746117000@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Exhibit Installation DESCRIPTION:Installation of monthly art Exhibit in Dean Hall URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-exhibit-installation-2/ CATEGORIES:Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250302T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250302T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250610T182723Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T182723Z UID:10000647-1740924000-1740931200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artists: Brent McGillivray and Maureen Bennett DESCRIPTION:An evocative trip down memory lane and a fresh take on our beloved Canadian landscape. The works of Brent McGillivray and Maureen Bennett \nJoin us on Sunday March 2nd\, 2pm to 4pm for a Meet the Artist event. Mera welcomes Brent McGillivray and Maureen Bennett of Times Gone By Studio in Perth. Their work will be displayed in Dean Hall at MERA for the months of March and April. \nMaureen Bennett interprets classic Canadian landscapes contemporary\, bold and graphic manner. When you look at her paintings\, you can see how her designs are influenced by her history pf working with stained glass. She says her inspiration of painting always comes from a memory and the emotional experience of time spent in Algonquin\, Georgian Bay and the Western provinces as well as the Group of Seven. She developed a signature style of vibrant colourful parallel lines juxtaposed by simple forms and solid shapes outlined in white. Her paintings evoke feelings of peace\, solitude and quiet. \nBrent McGillivray creates “photo realistic” acrylic and watercolour paintings of disappearing urban and rural architectural landmarks and advertising signage. He says he is drawn to roadside restaurants; motels; abandoned buildings and neon signs. He works back and forth between photography and canvas. He credits his training as an architectural draftsman to create meticulously rendered images. He is influenced by the bold and innovative architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright and Luis Barragan as they blend art and architecture. \nJoin Brent and Maureen at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonald’s Corners (974 Dalhousie Concession 9A) on Sunday March 2nd\, 2pm to 4pm to meet the artist\, view their works and purchase that “must have” piece. \nIf you cannot attend the Meet the Artist even\, join us at the Saturday Cafe in March and April\, or please contact Tim Booth timothybooth9@gmail.com arrange another viewing time. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artists-brent-mcgillivray-and-maureen-bennett/ CATEGORIES:Art,Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/meet-the-artist-March-2025-Brent-McGillivray-and-Maureen-Bennett.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250301T143000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250301T163000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250610T143740Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T143740Z UID:10000643-1740839400-1740846600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Art Exhibit Installation DESCRIPTION:Installation of monthly art Exhibit in Dean Hall URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/art-exhibit-installation/ CATEGORIES:Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250126T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250126T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20250221T162732Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250221T225016Z UID:10000631-1737900000-1737907200@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:Meet the Artists at MERA: Woodworking DESCRIPTION: URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/meet-the-artists-at-mera-woodworking/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art exhibits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240914T020000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240914T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T201344 CREATED:20240903T212825Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240903T214341Z UID:10000628-1726279200-1726329600@meraschoolhouse.org SUMMARY:The Art of Ellen Fraser DESCRIPTION:In September and October\, MERA welcomes art lovers to an Art Show and Meet the Artist Event Saturday September 14\, 2pm to 5pm featuring the art of Ellen Fraser. \nEllen Fraser’s life’s work has been as a jeweler. She has always loved painting\, drawing and designing jewelry. She started making jewelry as a young teenager and has been a professional jeweler since the late seventies. Her career path is well worn\, she sold her work nationally in her early years\, owned Cornerstone Gallery in Kingston for 15 years and has had occasional jewelry teaching contracts in Nunavut for 25 years. More recently\, she has been enjoying using her metalworking skills on a larger scale. She started making copper mobiles for Kiwi Gardens’ annual outdoor art event Art in the Garden. She says it is like making earrings for trees! Many locals are familiar with Ellen Fraser’s work as a jeweler as she is now represented by Riverguild in Perth. View another side of this veteran artist at MERA this September\, Ellen is showcasing some of her oil paintings – past and present\, recent drawings and copper mobiles inspired by her jewelry practice. \nI have two parallel art practices: metalwork and painting. Both share a lively interplay with each other\, and with the landscape I work or travel in. When I make jewelry\, I sometimes fuse\, stamp\, hammer and colour metal to give a strong feeling of texture. In oil painting\, I enhance the canvases with tactile qualities as well: to provide a receptive ground for oil paint that is textured\, I attach folded and sculpted cloth or bits of lace and sequins onto a canvas with glue and gesso. Similar to the way I work with a patina on textured silver to create depth\, I work with paint on the sculpted canvas in a process of applying and wiping off layers of colour. This method of embedding colour into the folds of cloth and recesses of texture gives the landscape imagery an abstract dreamlike quality. URL:https://meraschoolhouse.org/event/the-art-of-ellen-fraser/ LOCATION:MERA Schoolhouse\, McDonald’s Corners CATEGORIES:Art exhibits ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://meraschoolhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Fraser-Above-Kinngait-Drawing-reduced-400x387-2.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR