A sensation of simple serenity will descend upon the Quesnel Art Gallery (QAG) on Thursday night.
April 11 is the opening reception for the latest art exhibition featuring a Quesnel artist, when longtime local painter Tanya Shymko will unveil her latest acrylic creations. She entitled the collection on display Simple Serenity for their theme of calm nature.
“Something I personally love about Tanya’s work is that she takes inspiration from the beauty we have locally. So you might get the chance to see places you’ve visited, like Baker Creek, but painted in a new light,” said Shae Lightening of the QAG curatorial staff.
Creating art was natural for Tanya as early as she can remember, and she took great pride in telling everyone that she inherited her artistic abilities from her grandmother. Tanya’s family spent many weekends and summers camping in the vast beautiful wilderness surrounding Quesnel which provided an endless abundance of inspiration.
After graduating high school in 1992, Tanya attended art programs at Northern Lights College and NAIT which helped to enhance the technical side of her art, and to become a graphic designer for several years. Although she loved this creative medium, Tanya really longed the hands-on mediums such as painting and drawing.
Shymko, born and raised in Quesnel, is the owner and instructor at Spectrum Art Studios. It’s her base of creative operations and also teaching new artists. This started back in about 1999, she said, and grew into the modern version today where she has been a full-time art teacher since 2015.
Tanya has taught with the North Peace Cultural Centre in Fort St. John (she lived there until 2018 when she moved back to Quesnel), the Quesnel & District Rec Centre, various school districts, art galleries, and private functions throughout British Columbia. By her estimage, throughout her colourful career, she has taught more than 8,000 students of all ages.
“Tanya has been a member artist with the gallery for some time now,” said Lightening. “We have seen some wonderful paintings by her in our community exhibitions and on the walls of our gift shop. In fall of 2022 we hosted an exhibit, sponsored by Spectrum Art Studios featuring the work by Tanya’s students titled A Spectrum Of Perspectives. This exhibit was very well received. Tanya has created a wonderful community of artists supporting one another.”
Adding to her colourful life, Tanya is also a life coach, author, expressive arts therapy practitioner, and Grief Café facilitator.
When she is not in her studio with students or clients, she is spending time with her two children, four cats, and three pugs.
“We are looking forward to seeing Tanya’s work fill our gallery space,” said Lightening.
The opening reception starts at 7 p.m. and the exhibition will be on display until May 3 at 500 North Star Road within the Quesnel Art & Rec Centre.
READ MORE: Quesnel arts stars called to hallowed hall