"Landscapes and Faces" and "Dark and Deep," created by brother and sister Alan and Karen Adamson, are this season's co-collections in the Community Gallery. Both collections, on display now until February 23, 2025, are based on perspectives in nature, sharing how they see their world through their paintbrushes. One collection shares the light and the other shares what light can illuminate in the dark.

"Landscapes and Faces" is a collection of portraits and impressionist nature paintings based on Alan's world. His portraits are based on his family, and his nature paintings are inspired by one of his favourite places in the world, off the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

"Our family bought a cabin in Victoria Beach, Manitoba, in the '60s, so growing up there was special. I still go out there all year and will often take photographs when I walk around and use that as the starting point for my paintings. I need something to get me going and I take it from there."

"Dark and Deep" is Karen's collection of her experiences as seen through the lens of her headlamp. She lives in Roseisle, Manitoba, as a homesteader and has been teaching and creating art her whole life.

"I've always wanted to paint, and I'm inspired by the things around me. I enjoy living off the land and tending to my horses and garden, as well as paint. In sharing my life out here through my art, I hope visitors come away from my collection seeing things from a new perspective that they might not have otherwise experienced before."

Their childhoods were creative from the beginning, so it's no surprise that they collaborated on their upcoming collection – their parents met at an art camp, their dad was a painter and university professor, and their mom did impressionist nature paintings and even went to an École des Beaux-Arts, an influential art school in Paris, France.

"We were surrounded by art growing up, with Inuit sculptures and paintings by Ivan Eyre all over the house. It was really valued for us, so I thought from a young age that that’s what I’d do as well," says Karen. Among her artistic survey includes teaching art at WAG-Quamajuq and in Carman, both in the ‘90’s.

Their two collections coming together now in the Community Gallery is really special for the both of them. "I liked that idea of doing it together because I liked having his company. It feels really good," says Karen.

The future looks bright for Karen and Alan – they have their sights on creating more and sharing their worlds through art. Karen wants to do more paintings of horses in the woods and portraits of trees, while Alan is considering doing a solo show, now having the time to do it with his recent retirement.

"Even though I've been painting since I was a kid, I'm still finding out that I have lots to learn!" says Alan.

Join them for the opening reception of "Landscapes and Faces" and "Dark and Deep" on Sunday, December 8, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Community Gallery.

You can also follow Alan on Instagram at @alan.adamson.