By Emily Stonehouse
Perhaps 2023 is the year to finally dabble in the art world, and cross that off your bucket list. Nationally-acclaimed artist Carole Finn has returned to the Haliburton Highlands for the winter months, to reconnect with the community, and dive into teaching art in the region once again. “I am doing my two favourite things,” she said, “painting, and teaching!”
Finn moved to Victoria, B.C. in 2020 to spend more time with her family. Prior to her move, she ran the Finn Artists’ Centre in downtown Minden, where she had a studio, a gallery, and offered private and public classes on a regular basis.
She wasn’t always a full-time artist, though. She had always had an interest and a skill-set for painting, and was heavily involved in the local art world. Yet, it wasn’t until she won the Queen’s Medal for outstanding community service awarded by the Queen, through the Canadian Government, as well a series of other accolades, that she decided to dive head first into the world of art in 2009, specializing in landscapes and natural wildlife.
Since then, Finn has been a part of both solo and group exhibitions across Canada, as well as England, France, and Germany. She is also an elected member of the prestigious Ontario Society of Artists, the Color and Form Society, and a signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. While she continues to showcase around the world, she takes pride in featuring her work at a local level as well. “I have a local show coming up in July at the Corner Gallery in Haliburton, as well as continued work at the Ethel Curry Gallery,” she said.
Finn credits her time in B.C. as an opportunity to continue honing in on her skills. “Over the past few years, I feel I have really expanded my portfolio,” she noted, “there are so many artists on [Vancouver] Island, and they all know each other, and all support each other.”
While she plans to relocate back to B.C. in April, Finn intends to make the most of her time in the Haliburton Highlands by offering classes over the winter months. The classes will be held every Tuesday, in the Eagle Lake Community Church. “The church has lovely sunshine coming in through the windows, it’s just got a warm and fuzzy feeling to it,” Finn said of the space she’s offering the classes.
The classes will run every Tuesday, from Feb. 7 to March 28. Students can register for individual classes, or a package of four classes back-to-back. Finn noted that she would be available for Zoom support between classes for students, so they can continue to develop their learnings. She said that all skill-sets are welcome to join the classes, and no previous experience or painting knowledge is required. “Everybody can come, everybody can learn, and everybody will finish their painting,” said Finn.
To register for Finn’s classes, email finn@halhinet.on.ca, or visit her website at www.carolefinnartist.com