On the main floor, Ottawa-based artist Joanne Dero presented her latest project titled Tracing Time, a deep dive into her physical self, involving thought-provoking visuals.

A poem written by Dero sitting on the window frame at the entrance of the room, explains the thought process and the emotion behind the exposition.

With over 40 canvases hung up in the room, each onE focused on the cooperative interaction between the relationships, aging and identity. Her pieces generally consisted of zoomed in photos of her skin that she decomposed to be presented rough canvas.

A life-long art enthusiast, Dero only started publicizing her work in 2007, when she decided to take art more seriously after an early retirement from teaching.

“As we get older, we often get wiser,” she said. “I felt like I had always wanted to do this so I decided to really concentrate myself on it.”

A project in the making for the last three years, the goal of the exposition is to learn to appreciate the aging process and to see appearance in a way that isn’t toxic, according to Dero.

“I’m getting older and for me personally this is about appreciating that,” she said. “But also, to see skin in another way. In our society, we try to hide everything with Botox and we try to remove our traits of aging. I said ‘no.’ I think there’s beauty in those traits and I wanted to put emphasis on that.”

A former resident of the rural area of St. Therese Que., the best part about hosting an exposition in the Pontiac is seeing her childhood memories flow back to her during those countryside drives to the gallery.

“It’s really an ambiance where I feel at home,” she said.

For Dero, the exposition has the potential of being very beneficial for her career, as it could bring her much higher level of exposure in the Pontiac.

“When you’re not knowN, you’re like the new kid on the block,” she said. “There aren’t as many openings. So, I’m really happy to have the exposition here. I think it will help me take off in the region.”

On the top floor, the room was packed with artists and local residents drinking wine and eating pleasantries. The atmosphere felt closer to a house party than an art showing.

Throughout the evening, people strolled the room from one masterpiece to the next, talking with the artists, exchanging ideas and clinking a few wine glasses while they were at it.

Boasting a plethora of projects from 14 local artists, the exposition titled Reclaimed was a series of projects made solely out of recycled materials.

With a wide diversity of pieces displayed in the room the goal of the project was to showcase the imagination and creativity of the artists by challenging them to use old or used products.

According to ArtPontiac member Dale Shutt, who crafted a few pieces displayed at the vernissage, the creative process for this particular exposition was especially enjoyable as it provided her with a sense of freedom that she hasn’t typically experienced in the past.

“[The best part] was the fun I knew I had making this,” she said. “It’s not the same kind of fun that I have making art normally. What you do normally is maybe more serious or maybe you feel more restricted. This had no restrictions. Do whatever you want.”

For local stained-glass artist Jeanne McTiernan, the exposition was a pleasant experience as it put each artist’s creative characteristics on full display and exemplified that with hard work and creativity, it’s possible to turn trash into a treasure.

“Everything is so different,” she said. It’s a fun event. I think that a lot of people that knew about the vernissage tonight came out of curiosity to see ‘What would you do with recycled pieces?’ Every one has a technique that is different. From metal to glass to wood to bones, there’s just such a variety.”

The third part of the exposition was called Works on Paper, which comprised of a selection of original artwork on 5 by 7-inch sheets of paper. The proceeds from every piece sold was to go towards ArtPontiac.

The expositions will be on display at the Stone School Gallery until August 18.

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