Taryn Henry says she’s always wanted a gallery.
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The painter who grew up in Point Edward, inspired by the beach and water at Canatara Park, recently got her wish.
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“It feels amazing,” said Henry above the Downtown Market recently, at 140 Christina St. N.
She’s rented the mezzanine in the former Taylor’s Furniture building, and has her artwork displayed on the walls, a studio tucked into one corner, and other works on the wall by featured artists she knows from her studies at Lambton College, and from participating in Art Battle, timed art competitions.
“Backing each other’s work” maintaining connections and generating exposure are some of the reasons for featuring other artists, she said, noting she’s also featured in a friend’s gallery in Paris, Ont.
Studio 140 in the downtown Sarnia mezzanine opened officially in November and Henry said she’s hoping to hold workshops in the future, and has a Digital Main Street grant to help her with marketing and to create a gallery website for purchases.
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In the meantime, people can come in and check out the work, she said, noting plans are to change what’s on the walls every three months or so.
Her own work is primarily oil on canvas and inspired by Lake Huron, she said.
“Just that big openness connects you,” she said. “That mind, body, spirit connection that I’m into.”
Henry, who said she has three children and a bachelor’s degree in fine art from the NSCAD University in Halifax, adding being an artist always has been her goal.
“I think there’s a niche to make it work in small towns and bring art into the community, have it thrive,” she said.
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