More than 300 people gathered at the Thames Art Gallery on Friday, Oct. 23, for the opening reception of the Eye4Art 2026 exhibition.
The evening featured works by artists connected to Chatham-Kent, gourmet appetizers prepared by Susan Jeffrey, the former owner of William St. Café, and live music by local musician Phil Jacobs.
Sponsors Teksavvy Solutions Inc. and WINMAR Chatham presented four awards. Two $300 jurors’ Awards of Excellence went to Meghan Peeters for “Bird Watcher,” an oil on canvas, and Scott Taylor for “Civic Centre Puddle No. 1,” a digital photograph printed on Hahnemühle photo rag metallic paper.
Two $200 People’s Choice Awards, chosen by those at the reception, went to Marg Corlett for “Solar Worship,” an acrylic on canvas, and Ruth Ann Pearce for “Still Stories Series: Still Water,” a digital illustration. The jurors also gave an honourable mention to Janice Mayuk’s “Great Plains Ghost.”
The gallery thanked its volunteers, sponsors and visitors, calling the reception a great success.
Eye4Art 2026 runs at the gallery until Jan. 31, 2027, and all works on display are available for purchase.
The gallery, in the Chatham Cultural Centre at 75 William St. N., is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is by donation. More information is available at ckculture.ca/galleries.
