Aurora Art Exhibition
Aurora Art Exhibition
Congruent (by definitions)
A Curated Group Exhibition
October 24, 2024 - January 18, 2025
Aurora Cultural Centre
Great Hall Gallery ( Level 2)
Precambrian Drift Judith Livingston
For additional information on Exhibition
Please Visit
www.auroraculturalcentre.ca/congruent-by-definitions
Judith Livingston
The Work & The Artist
Markham Artist Judith Livingston presents a unique perspective of our Parks. Her subjects are found in National, Provincial, Regional, and Municipal Parklands throughout Ontario. Included in her Exhibitions are Paintings of Woodland Trails, Wetlands, and Waterscapes, from the Carolinian Forests on the Northern Shore of Lake Erie to the Northern Shore of Lake Superior.
She is a recipient of The Canada 125 Medal by The Government of Canada, The Achievement and Civic Recognition Award by the City of Markham, a past elected Member of The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (1989-2012), The Society of Canadian Artists (1991-2000), The Colour and Form Society (1991-1996) and a Life Member of The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham.
When seized by an idea, I enjoy running with it to see where it takes me, and how the challenge will be met. Whether the results are two or three dimensional, realistic or abstract, humourous or contemplative, aesthetic or confrontational - it is an exciting journey. - Judith Livingston
Artist's Background
Judith was born in Woodstock, Ontario. After graduating from Woodstock Collegiate Institute, she attended London Teachers' College, where she graduated with Honours. That same year she married Mike Livingston, whom she first met on Long Point near Port Rowan in an earlier summer. Together their careers took them to Collingwood, London, Kitchener, then to British Columbia in 1978. Their North Vancouver property was the dividing line between North Vancouver’s urban setting and the untamed regions of British Columbia’s Coastal Mountains. The canyons and trails, winding outward from their property, inspired her artistic side and her focus returned to the arts.
Respected art patron Muriel Olsen, encouraged her to exhibit her art and her first public exhibitions were held in British Columbia: St. David’s Exhibition in West Vancouver (1978); The Canadiana Exhibition in Vancouver (1979); and The Kiwanis Exhibition in North Vancouver (1980).
A corporate move returned them to London in 1980, then to Markham in 1983. In Markham, she immediately became active in the art community, holding executive positions in the Markham Group of Artists from 1983-89. During this same period she attended the Ontario College of Art, was elected to The Colour and Form Society, The Society of Canadian Artists and The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, serving on the C.S.P.W.C. Executive as National Exhibition Chair.
In 1988 she was introduced to art patron, Kathleen McKay, with whom Group of Seven artist, Frederick Horsman Varley lived in his later years. This led to an invitation in 1989 to join a Committee, working with Markham, to bring Frederick Varley back to the historic Village of Unionville. Her first goal was directing the conversion of Kathleen McKay's house to The Fred Varley Art Centre.
The Art Centre opened in 1993 with Judith as the Curator/Manager of Exhibitions and Art Classes until 1997. This was also the beginning of her involvement with, what was to become, The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham. The Varley-McKay Art Committee, which she chaired from 1991 to 1993, was instrumental in laying the groundwork for this endeavour, and in 1997 The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham was opened to the public.
Kathleen McKay's historic house on Main Street was reopened as The Kathleen Gormley McKay Art Centre, continuing it's role as a Gallery on the main level for local artists and a classroom for Art Instruction in Fred Varley's lower level studio.
The McKay Art Centre Gallery in Unionville has been the home for her Parks and Woodlands paintings of Ontario. During her 2004 "Hiking Trails of Ontario" Art Exhibition, she was honoured by a visit and discussion of her work by The Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson.
In 2008 The Varley Art Gallery of Markham honoured her with "Weaving Leaves and Water", a solo exhibition curated by Katerina Atanassova, showcasing Judith Livingston's works over the past 25 years.
Artist Contact Information
Judith Livingston