Fritzi Gallery: GCTC and Ottawa School of Art partner to exhibit works by local visual artist Julie Mercantini

For Immediate Release

Julie Mercantini Exhibit at GCTC(1)-1 Julie Mercantini Exhibit at GCTC(1)-2

Ottawa – From September 15 to October 24, the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) and The Ottawa School of Art (OSA) will present Seeing Through, a single artist exhibit featuring the work of Julie Mercantini at the Lorraine ‘Fritzi’ Yale Gallery, 1233 Wellington West. A vernissage, with an opportunity to meet the artist, will take place Tuesday, September 15 from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.

 

With a shared commitment to showcase the work of established and emerging local artists, the Ottawa School of Art and Great Canadian Theatre Company have partnered this season to present exhibits by Ottawa visual artists in the Lorraine ‘Fritzi’ Yale Gallery, beginning with a solo exhibit by Julie Mercantini.

 

Creating movement and energy is one of the most important aspects of Mercantini’s current work. Rather than setting out to deliver a message or paint a subject, she tries to create movement and rhythm on canvas with colour and texture.

 

“Eventually images will begin to develop on their own as I paint. My work is abstract, yet nature seems to reveal itself, perhaps because of our fundamental desire to connect with our sublime surroundings,” says the artist of her work. “The outcome has a layered feeling as traces of the under-painting can be seen upon completion of the work, like secrets from the past, representing the importance of where we’ve been in shaping our present identities. The title of this show, Seeing Through, is about how we can see more by looking beyond the surface.”

 

The Ottawa School of Art is an educational centre for the visual arts in Ottawa, providing the community with the opportunity for creative expression, development, and growth based on an orderly progression in knowledge and skills. Within a well-defined program, the OSA offers high quality instruction to all levels through direct involvement with professional artists.

GCTC is a professional non-for-profit theatre company with 41 years of experience in creating and producing a wide array of Canadian theatre.

 

About the Artist 

Julie Mercantini is currently completing a three-year Fine Arts Diploma at the Ottawa School of Art. She has a Bachelor‟s Degree in Commerce with Honours from the University of Ottawa. Ms. Mercantini won an Ottawa Art Association Fine Arts Scholarship in March of 2015.

 

Her work has been exhibited at the Saw Gallery Holiday Fundraiser in November of 2014 and will be on exhibit at the Atomic Rooster Cock Show in October 2015. Ms. Mercantini’s works in oil can be seen in many homes and business in Ottawa and she has been commissioned to create pen and ink drawings of buildings of architectural interest in our region.

 

Inquiries on her works should be directed to Cathy Brake, Gallery and Boutique Coordinator at the Ottawa School of Art at 613.241.7471 ext. 27 or via e-mail at boutique@artottawa.ca

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MEDIA CONTACT, GCTC: 

Nicole Milne
Artist & Community Liaison
artistliaison@gctc.ca (Email is the best)
613-236-5192 ext. 243
www.gctc.ca