CALEB NICKERSON
PORTAGE DU FORT
Aug. 24, 2018
On Friday night, art lovers gathered at the Stone School Gallery in Portage du Fort for a vernissage with a twist.
In the upstairs gallery was Alternative Views, a collaborative work from three artists: Bonnie Zimmerling, Jill Alexander and Diana Wakely.
“This is our third show. Diana came up with the concept,” explained Alexander. “She came up with the idea of using nine of Bonnie’s photos and we each did our own interpretation.”
Alexander works in textured acrylics, while Wakely prefers watercolours. Initially, they had stuck with reproductions of Zimmerlings snaps, but this year they changed it up.
“This year it’s a little bit different, we just chose themes and we didn’t work from Bonnie’s photos, just themes,” Wakely explained, gesturing to the trios of work spread throughout the gallery.

Each artist had their take on themes as broad as landscapes, trees or people. Though both Alexander and Wakely are from across the river, they are members of the Pontiac Artists Association (PAA) and had high praise for the Pontiac art scene.
“They do such a great job, it’s a very forward-thinking group of people,” Alexander said. “They’re always coming up with new ideas. They’re an inspiration, it’s thriving here.”
In the lower gallery, the PAA was kicking off their Pontiac Frames fundraiser, which featured a selection of works from more than 15 members of the organization, to be auctioned off over the coming weeks.
PAA communications director Sean Kerr explained that the first $50 from every sale will go back to the organization, and the selection will be available to view online.
Both exhibits will be open for viewing until Sept. 16.