Starkevich exhibition showcases artistic styles

By Jensen, Randy on September 8, 2020.

A number of recent pieces from The Grassland Series, a growing body of work that Lethbridge artist Colin Starkevich has created over the past 10 years. Photo by Helen Schuler Nature Centre

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

The Helen Schuler Nature Centre has announced the Community Art Gallery is now showcasing the work of local Lethbridge artist Colin Starkevich. The exhibition includes a number of recent pieces from The Grassland Series, a growing body of work that Starkevich has created over the past 10 years.

The Grassland Series was developed by Starkevich to raise awareness of the beauty and fragility of the grassland ecosystem, while supporting conservation efforts within the region, the Nature Centre said in a release. The exhibit showcases several iconic species found in the grasslands, from pronghorn to short-horned lizards.

The exhibition on display at the Nature Centre features work primarily created over the past four years and includes a combination of three different styles: fine art paintings, plein air paintings, and plein air erratic drawings. The exhibition also features taxidermy mounts of Ferruginous hawks and a Swainson’s hawk done by Starkevich.

As a signature member of the Artists for Conservation, Starkevich is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the natural world through the arts. The realism of his work helps develop understanding of key identifying features of iconic species as well as appreciation of the natural beauty of the grasslands. His artistic talent was recognized at an early age by renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman, who personally invited him to attend a prestigious Master Artists Seminar. Recently Starkevich’s work was on display in a feature exhibition at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton.

“We all are capable of doing great things for this world in numerous ways, it is up to us to discover our strengths and develop them to make a positive difference in a way that is very unique and special,” said Starkevich.

The Grassland Series will be on display at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre until December.

The Nature Centre’s Community Art Gallery showcases nature, science and environmentally-themed displays which run for approximately eight weeks. The space provides emerging and established artists from the region the opportunity to participate in developing exhibitions for display at the Nature Centre.

The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is open year-round; hours of operation for September are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). The current main gallery exhibition features owls, highlighting common owl species found around Lethbridge, as well as the unique adaptations that make owls amazing birds of prey. The next main gallery exhibition will feature The Grasslands and is expected to open in mid-November.

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