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The show at 404 York Rd. will celebrate the work of member artists Diana Scott, Nancy Farrell, Sharyn Seibert, Suzanne Wakefield and Patti Collins, and includes featured artists Mary Anne Young and AJ Longstreet and emerging artist Patricia Flood.

Flood has a long history in theatre, film and television design but said she is still emerging as a painter. She is excited to be showing several pieces at the gallery, which include natural elements. The featured artists, Young and Longstreet, said they are an artistic duo who brought complementary work together for this show. Young specializes in ecological art using fine line pens and watercolour, and Longstreet is a landscape photographer.

The theme of “Rocks, Streams, and Dreams” is close to all of their hearts. Scott said that a deep connection to land gives artists a myriad of material.

“This show is strongly connected to the Yorklands and the community’s wish to maintain its natural state for generations to come, rather than turning it over to developers,” said Scott.

Wakefield said that nature is truly her muse, and she sees so much beauty disappearing due to industry and asphalt.

“It is my mission to keep the beauty of ‘what was’ alive in our memories and perhaps even save it with my efforts from annihilation,” Wakefield said.

Also special to this show is the collaboration with students from Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute (CCVI).

Visual arts teacher Karin Silverstone said her Grade 11 class had a month to finish oil paintings inspired by photos taken at the Yorklands, near the former ���߲ݴ�ýCorrectional Centre.

“This is the third year that CCVI students have been involved with the Yorklands Green Hub and Artworks Gallery Guelph, and it is always exciting to see how they reinterpret the photos in their unique styles,” said Silverstone.

Students learn the intricacies of working with oil paints, explore paint applications and colour approaches, she said. They study landscapes from art history and discuss the environment and future of these local spaces.

Seibert said they are grateful for the contributions of students led by Silverstone and Eric Mulcahey, and their enthusiastic perspectives.

“Upon completion, the students reflected on their work and the message they conveyed about the current situation of the environment. Their observations and insights can be read at the gallery,” said Seibert.

A grand opening will be held on March 23 from 1 to 4 p.m., in celebration of Earth Day, where you can meet the artists, enjoy live music and enter a draw to win original artwork. You can see the show any day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn more about the collective of artists and their work at .