Artist and designer Jessica Sarrazin. Submitted Photo

Local artist and designer Jessica Sarrazin is bringing her fine art to Arbor Gallery for the month of April. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design and MFA at the University of Windsor, Sarrazin has traveled the world before returning to hometown of Vankleek Hill, where she served as the director of Arbor Gallery for eight years.

An accomplished interdisciplinary artist, Sarrazin presents her more recent work using photographed outdoor views: trees and brush or landscapes glimpsed from train windows. She uses slightly flawed, or unresolved photographs, which she alters with hand sewing. By turns, these alterations appear to impose a tenuous order, suggest movement, or add an ethereal quality to the photograph. The images are cinematic in their framing and have a quiet and intense sense of drama.

“I am so thrilled to be exhibiting at Arbor Gallery again,” Sarrazin says. “The gallery and the art community here were very important to me as a young artist and I like that I can continue that conversation by exhibiting at the gallery.”

“This is my third solo show with the gallery, and it always feels like coming home. I’m so happy Arbor Gallery is still here, still going strong. It’s very difficult to keep a gallery going and the team is doing a fantastic job.”

Altered States will run from Thursday, March 31, until Sunday, April 24. The artist will hold a vernissage on Sunday, April 10, in the Main Hall of Arbor Gallery.

Wit and humour to delight guests on April 23

Author and storyteller Tom Cooper. Submitted Photo

On April 23, author and storyteller Tom Cooper launches Arbor Gallery’s new series Conversations with Interesting People. Now living in Cornwall, the retired pilot turned author and humorist has written three books filled with witty anecdotes.

Known to be a talented and upbeat storyteller, Cooper is sure to offer a fun evening.

Located in the heart of Vankleek Hill, at 36 Home Avenue, the Arbor Gallery Cultural Centre welcomes visitors Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.