Second art teacher

Hugh Niblock
While a philosophy undergraduate at the U of T Hugh was the cartoonist for the Varsity, the daily U newspaper. Upon graduation, he was commissioned to paint an extensive mural of university life for Hart House.  This led to a year’s scholarship to study in England.  He then taught art in England, where he fell in love with the profession. Back to Canada and after trying careers as a graphic artist for TV, newspapers and curating in Toronto  Art Galleries, he went back to what he loved, teaching and coaching kids.  He taught at PSS until retirement.  He devoted his spare time to helping to run Galerie Gale’s Art Gallery in Midland, opened to promote art and artists in the area.

Hugh taught me from grade 10 to grade 13. He, like Julie, had a passion for teaching. They cared and wanted you to be your best.
Keith Moreau, Grad ’71 and creator of this tribute site.

Hugh has been added to bigartbuzz.com

First art teacher Julie Barker

The first PSS art teacher was the amazing Julie Barker.

“A short-term posting to Penetanguishene for my husband, Elliott, happily turned into 51 years of creative opportunities for me in Simcoe North!  Not the least being ongoing relationships with former PSS  students.”

“Doris Perkins was one of the talented students I had the pleasure of meeting through my two years of exploring art at PSS.  It has been inspiring to see the part that art has played in Doris’ roles of wife, mother and now grandmother.  Through the years, local PSSers may have seen her outdoor murals.  I have been fortunate to see some of the many indoor walls she has graced with images of nature.”
“I would like to express gratitude to Keith Moreau for the personal contacts we have had over the years and especially now, for his generous sharing of creativity and time to build a connection with all PSS students through those who have enjoyed art as a career or ongoing avocation.  Sure looks like an A+ art project to me, Keith! ”

As a student of the first grade nine classes at Penetanguishene Secondary, I had never had an artist give me lessons and inspiration and Julie enthusiastically dispensed both. I had always loved to draw but in grade nine I blossomed.
That extra spark from that experience has kept the creativity alive all these years and Julie and Hugh Niblock’s teaching style definitely influenced my love of sharing the joys of creativity.
On behalf of  all your young charges, a very grateful and heartfelt thank you.
Keith Moreau, Grad of ’71 and creator of this tribute site.

Grad ’74 Cynthia Blair

Cynthia Blair is a graduate of the Textile Design course at Georgian College, Barrie.

Flowers are a familiar subject of many of her works as well as landscapes inspired by the areas surrounding Georgian Bay, Killarney and Algonquin Park.
Cynthia works in oils , acrylics and encaustics.
She exhibits at various locations throughout Ontario.

http://www.cynthiablair.ca/

Grad ’50 John W. Desrochers

John W. DesRochers was born in Penetanguishene, Ontario in 1933. From an early age he demonstrated a love for art and spent much time developing his natural talents. Growing up on the shores of Georgian Bay was no doubt an inspiration and much of this influence is reflected in his landscapes.

In 1950 John attended the Ontario College of Art and graduated in 1954. He then worked as a designer in the footwear industry after studying with Institut Crepin. John also did freelance work and was an instructor with the Penetang Art Club during the 1960’s-70’s and has worked as an instructor in serigraphy.
As a registered Metis of Ojibwa heritage, John has explored this part of his ancestral roots, which in turn has been beautifully expressed through his Native Canadian inspired artwork.

In January 2000, one year after losing their oldest son Tom to Acute Myloid Leukemia, John and his wife Annette travelled to the Holy Land, where both found peace and where John’s desire to paint experienced a reawakening. His series of the Holy Land is an extensive pictorial travel journal of this journey.

After lengthy careers in footwear design and printing/graphics (silk screen), John is now retired and spends much of his free time travelling, being involved in his community and painting. The diversity of his artwork reflects a lifetime filled with rich experiences and a deep appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us.

des-rochers.com

Grad ’77 Debbie Torrance

As a 1977 graduate I continued my education in the arts. After graduating from Sheridan College in Fashion Technique & Design in Oakville I travelled around for a few years before settling in Midland.

My first taste of sewing came from taking Home Economics with Miss Elliot. From then I was hooked on creating and making my own clothes. I had dabbled in many avenues of sewing over the years with teaching, designing my own line of children’s clothing along with knits and then custom leather garments.

Keeping with the leather I have now been creating, designing and sewing Trendy Totes for the last 4 years in my home studio. They are all leather totes and mostly one of a kind with unique inside linings. I sell them in a few stores in and around Simcoe County, fine craft shows and from my home. Check them out on Facebook.com/trendytotes

Grad ’48 Jerry Lalonde

About the artist: Born and raised in the small Georgian Bay town of Penetanguishene, Ontario, Jerry  was an  honours graduate of the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. He later became a graphic artist in the Niagara area, where he was a co-founder of Williamson & Lalonde Advertising Services Ltd., later known as W & L Graphic Communications Inc. He filled the position of vice-president of the company until his retirement in 1996. In his spare time he continued to improve his painting skills, working primarily in watercolours, but also in oils, pastels, and acrylics. Subject matter is primarily scenery, from maritime scenes of Newfoundland to the Canadian Rockies, and from Northern Ontario to the hills of rural Pennsylvania. Other favourite subjects are portraits of people or pets, as well as paintings of homes or other cherished locations. jlalondepaintings.ca/

Grad ’67 Mary G. Moreau

Mary Thompson, mother of three, and her husband Burke, live in Penetanguishene, Ontario amidst the captivating landscapes of Georgian Bay and its inherent symphony of nature.
Retired local realtor of 35 years, her creative skills are innate and the techniques are learned.
Mary took lessons and inspiration from Dianna Segalin, owner of Inspiration Studio in Penetanguishene and attended various art workshops to help develop her own style of self-expression.
A prolific producer of fine art, Thompson works on a variety of subjects with her preferred medium of watercolour. In the luminous world of Mary Thompson, every stroke speaks volumes to convey the thrill and wonder she sees. Simplicity and authenticity of Thompson’s work allows the viewer to understand the subject being painted and to participate in her enjoyment of it.
A member of Quest Gallery, Midland, Mary helped to found it in Penetanguishene years ago.
Her paintings have made their way into private collections in Washington, Florida, Colorado, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ottawa, Owen Sound, Barrie and other places.
You may spot Mary, a roving artist, at The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre or many natural vistas of Georgian Bay.
Contact Mary Thompson at 1474 Sandy Bay Road, Penetanguishene, Ontario  L9M 1Y5   (705) 549-2689      shirazmary@gmail.com

Grad ’01 Nahthanha Woods

 

My name is Nahthanha I am the owner of Make a Mess Art Studio in Penetanguishene. I have been passionate about art since a very young age and enjoy sharing my creative inspiration with others.

I am a 2001 alumni of Penetanguishene Secondary School, and graduated from The School of Design, George Brown College in 2004 from the Graphic Design Program.

In 2004 I had the honour of designing the new logo for the Town of Penetanguishene, continuing my career as a freelance graphic designer and created many logos, corporate identities, branding and advertising for local companies.

All the time I spent behind the computer made me fall back in love with the quality of hand painted art and advertising. My path then lead me to painting store front windows, hand painted signage, house murals and selling hand painted custom ordered pumpkins at Halloween.

My passion for art grew deeper and I developed a business plan that would allow me to do what I love and make a living at it. I now spend my days inspiring and teaching people of all ages to be creative. I have experience in many different mediums however my favourite is acrylics. My artwork is available for sale at Make a Mess Art Studio, 100 Main St. Penetanguishene. You can see more of my art on my Facebook page Nahthanha’s Inspiration or check out the local splash of colour I’ve created at makeamess.ca or Make a Mess Art Studio on face book.

“Being an artist is the best excuse” -Nahthanha

Grad ’70 Betty Parent-Holmes

I was born in 1952 to Raymond Parent and Jeanne Belcourt at the Midland Hospital. We lived in Midland, Perkinsfield and Penetang. I’m the oldest of six children and we all went to Penetang Secondary School. I was also one of the first grade nines in the new high school back in 1966. I studied with Mrs. Julie Barker. Graduating in 1969, and then it was off to Georgian College in Barrie. Then life happened, got married, had kids, moved to Thunder Bay in 1973 and remained here to present date.

Back in 2003, my husband gifted me a drawing class with local artist, Greg Zelinski. I took to pen and ink drawing like a duck to water. After 10 years of pen and ink drawing, I was encouraged to take up watercolour painting. So far it been great. I have studied with, Carol Kirkpatrick, Greg Zelinski, Biljana Baker, Gordon McKenzie, Doug Purdon, Evelyn Conrad, and Bonnie Steinbergh.

I guess I’m just a late bloomer. Thank you and see you around.

Grad ’69 Janice Hardacre

I received my five-year Arts & Science Honor diploma from Penetanguishene Secondary School in July 1969.  I started working that fall, first as a Bell Telephone operator and later obtaining progressively more responsible positions in Toronto as executive and legal assistant, document production supervisor, software trainer and marketing coordinator with large corporations and law firms.  Ten years after high school, I applied and was accepted at the Ontario College of Art and Sheridan College animation program, but life got in the way of attending.  

From an early age, my passion was always to draw female portraits in pencil and pen and ink, which I continue to this day.  I was delighted to be part of the PSS Yearbook 66-67 where Keith Moreau and I drew portraits of the graduating class.  I was always inspired by fellow creative students and art teachers, Julie Barker and Hugh Niblock.  Over the years, I explored various mediums of creative expression through playing the piano, photography, puppetry, painting, sculpture, graphics software, literacy tutor, newsletter editor and choral singing.  

I live near the Scarborough Bluffs, am a member of Scarborough Arts and have exhibited my art, mostly photography, in group and solo art shows in Toronto since 2004.