Meet The 2026 Artists
Denyse Gridley
Denyse, a fine artist and retired teacher, works primarily in oil painting. Her impressionistic style uses vibrant colour and bold expressive brushstrokes, finding inspiration in the landscapes and wildlife of Eastern Ontario. She has sold artwork at juried art shows across the province and is represented by Rothwell Gallery in Ottawa.
Catherine Leitch
Nature is my subject matter.
Trees are my inspiration.
Trees give me feelings of peace and quiet in the natural landscape.
I use acrylics, inks, charcoal, pencil and collage to capture their structure, strength, character, texture, and even their delicateness.
Elizabeth Sampson
Elizabeth crafts original stained glass, blending traditional lead came techniques with contemporary forms, colors, and textures. Specializing in architectural stained glass, she integrates her background as an architect—public and private—to create pieces that harmonize spatial design, fine art, and masterful craftsmanship.
Inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright, her windows often feature abstract, fluid forms. The interplay of light and colored glass adds a dynamic dimension to each design.
Based in her Perth, Ontario studio, Elizabeth exhibits her work at RiverGuild Fine Craft, where her artistry continues to illuminate spaces with beauty and innovation.
Isabel Joyce
Many years ago I discovered the magic of stained glass. Over the years, I've evolved as an artist, and my love for this wonderful art form has grown.
Now, living in the heritage setting of Perth, I find my inspiration in the historic architecture and classic beauty of the region. It has been my pleasure to enhance many of the homes in our area with the colour and light of stained glass, and to teach my craft to others who share my passion.
Julie Burke
Award-winning artist Julie celebrates the natural world—from delicate shrubs to sweeping vistas—in her vibrant oil landscapes. Inspired by a decade in Ontario’s Rideau Lakes, she channels her awe for nature into each piece, using bold color and dynamic lines to convey both its beauty and her emotional response.
Her stylized yet heartfelt approach highlights the enchanting interplay of light, inviting viewers to see the everyday with fresh eyes. Julie’s work, collected worldwide and featured in Ontario galleries, reflects her deep connection to the land and her passion for sharing its magic.
Liz Minnes
I am a painter, driven by conceptual inquiry—exploring boundaries, proximity, and the unseen threads that connect us. My work embraces the timeless, hands-on process of painting, believing that passion and personal conviction infuse each piece with a spirit that resonates deeply with viewers.
The tactile application of paint and mediums creates an irreplaceable, visceral energy absent in mechanical reproduction. Paintings command reverence; their intuitive dialogue and instinctual layering reveal an intimate, evolving exploration—from first stroke to final touch. Each piece is a testament to this enduring, intuitive journey.
Anne Chambers
Anne Chambers, a recently retired studio potter and instructor near Perth, ON, brings over 35 years of expertise to her craft. Known for her high-fired porcelain, featured on the Perth Autumn Studio Tour, Anne now dedicates her studio time to community projects. She creates bowls for Perth Empty Bowls—supporting local food programs—and ceramic mugs to fundraise for the beloved local library.
Honored with Craft Ontario’s 2008 John Mather Award and the 2011 MERA Award for Excellence, Anne’s work has earned accolades from the Ottawa Guild of Potters and FUSION, where she served as President. Her pieces have been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the Gardiner Museum, and published in Clay Times and FUSION.
Margaret Martin
Margaret has been creating art works throughout her adult life. After completing an undergraduate degree with specialization in Fine Art, she focused on personal works using a variety of media, and taught painting to youth and adults. She completed her second degree in Education, and enjoyed teaching the range of subjects, but especially introducing art to her students.
Margaret has recently been teaching painting workshops with Rideau Lakes Artists’ Association (she is the association’s current Vice President), and with Kimberly Lulashnyk of Stone Manor, Newboro. Margaret expresses her vision through acrylic paint, now her favourite medium. She produces bold and colorful landscapes, and refreshing scenes of room interiors, and pencil and pastel drawings.
Brenda Wright
Brenda began her arts journey about the year 2000, and soon discovered she possessed an innate artistic ability. Determined to ‘stir up the gift within,’ she passionately practised artistic pursuits, taking steps of obedience toward creative excellence. She now produces works of art that touch the heart of the viewer. “The painters’ instinct has always been strong within; however, it wasn’t until mid-life that I found time to test an inner prompting. This ‘inner artist’ led me to follow my natural instincts toward creative expression in multi-media artworks.”
Brenda enjoys painting in watercolour, acrylics, and oils. Her heart’s desire and zeal to share her Christian faith through what is known as ‘prophetic art’ has occasioned a combined message; presentation through images as well as the written word, something she refers to as “Art with a Message
Rozalind Phillips
Through photography, I interpret the world—curious, expressive, and alive with new stories and connections. Every day holds great images waiting to be discovered. I capture fleeting moments and transform them into something beautiful, preserving memories of places I love.
I seek to reveal hidden worlds, exploring angles, light, and reflections without altering reality. The thrill lies in the act of looking, uncovering the unknown, and finding beauty in shadows, forgotten buildings, serene forests, and quiet details.
My work evolves, driven by available light and the extraordinary within the ordinary. If I’m lucky, my images convey the magic that inspired them—connecting us to the quiet, wondrous places that make life feel enchanting.