Canadian Artist Announces New 2020 Original Art Collection Virtually With Southampton Arts Centre New Collection to Support Mental Health Awareness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2020
Walkerton, ON: Local Artist Celebrates Ten Years as Professional Artist with Online Initiative to Celebrate Trees and Mental Health.
In celebration of her 10th anniversary as a professional Canadian artist, local artist Susan Seitz launches a new series of original paintings, “Stand Still The Trees Know Where You Are”. This resourceful artist adapted her original release plan to respond to the challenges of presenting art during a pandemic and a portion of proceeds will support local mental health initiatives.
Susan was to be partnering with The Mill, in Paisley, Ontario to present her new work in a solo exhibition in June. But the realities of the global pandemic and self-isolation make such events uncertain. So, while the hope is that the show will still go ahead, Susan has leaned into her inventive and collaborative nature to re imagine how the art will be presented.
Her new website susanseitz.com launches to the world today, Wednesday, April 22 and “We Belong” is the first work to be released virtually in the new series, a partnership with Southampton Arts, where Susan has been a Gallery artist for ten years.
“Choosing Southampton Arts as the Gallery to release the first original painting of my new 2020 Collection was easy,” says Susan. “The Centre has long been a supporter of my work and many of my paintings feature landscapes from the region.”
“Susan Seitz is one of our Gallery lodestones of positivity, energy and connection. She has brought her infectious nature and stunning, expressive style to every facet of her participation with the Centre; as an Instructor, community project leader, and as one of our top selling artists."
“Susan’s paintings never fail to bring joy to my day when I visit the Gallery and I know staff feel an even greater joy when her work moves on to a new collector, sharing in all the goodness that Susan radiates”, added Slinger.
Seitz is well known for not only her jewel toned, evocative paintings but her work as a creativity coach and expressive arts facilitator. Susan’s commitment to supporting mental health initiatives and bringing beauty and light into homes through this time is a reflection of her genuine generosity of spirit. “It’s a time for artists and the creatives in our community to continue to reach out. Through our creativity, messaging and outreach we help others to dream and feel a little less alone.”
“We Belong” was inspired while hiking The Crack trail in Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario Canada. When we reached the top of our climb, the image of this birch tree growing up through the white quartzite rocks, immediate caught my attention. A wave of emotion and energy surged through me. “We Belong”, instantly emerged. Thoughts of this land and the Native Heritage and the struggles that I can’t even conceive, haunted my mind. A lot of what I was feeling didn’t have words, but the powerful image of this resilient tree making its way through the rocks, to be seen, to be heard. I just knew it had to be painted!”
“It is my hope that this collection will become a visual connection to your own healing potential and offer a place to rest and provide reassurance that you are not alone in this, and to provide an awareness that even in times of feeling lost, the trees know where you are.”
About Susan Seitz
Susan Seitz is a master artist and has created a body of beautiful art, many pieces now in private collections all over the world. Her work is regularly showcased in Art Galleries throughout Southern Ontario.
Susan is also a Certified Master Creativity Coach and Expressive Arts Facilitator who uses expressive arts (the creative process of making art), journalling, and SoulCollage® as therapeutic tools for people to explore and improve their emotional well-being. Susan provides a variety of arts experiences for all ages – from children’s camps, to small group art explorations, to 1-on-1 healing journey facilitations. Susan has the integrity and ability to meet clients right where they are, without judgement or expectation, and guide them to new levels of self-expression and understanding.
Walkerton, ON
About Southampton Arts Centre
Southampton Arts is not just a place; a Gallery and a School. It is a community of artists and appreciators and a community that collaborates, communicates and celebrates. While we are closed right now due to the global pandemic, we will return to connect with you in person as soon as we can.
Southampton Arts is the current iteration of two longstanding programs supporting cultural expression on the shores of Lake Huron, in Southampton, Ontario.
● The Southampton Art School, founded in 1957 by Bert Henderson and
● A co-operative Gallery founded by Carol Cleary and Tanya Weichel in 1999.
Together, the School and the Gallery have provided artist led learning opportunities and a venue for local artists to present their work for decades.
Today, Southampton Arts is proud to continue a legacy that included an advisory panel comprised of members of the Group of Seven while continuously seeking ways to serve as a catalyst for cultural expression and appreciation in Bruce County.
https://southamptonartscentre.com/
Southampton, ON