Students inspired by Homer Watson create art exhibit in his honour

In honour of Homer Watson's birthday and legacy, 15 students from the graduating class of Eastwood Collegiate Institute were selected to put on their own art show at the Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener.

Perception is a showcase of the best work from the class, led completely by the students themselves. The exhibit was launched with an opening reception on Sunday. 

"Having that opportunity really spurs the students to try to meet an expectation that they might not have met if they just had to do work for their own course and I think that's the beauty of it," said their visual arts teacher Sandy Bethell. 

Watson, a renowned landscape painter, was born on Jan. 14, 1855, in Doon, Ont. His artwork can be seen in museums across Canada and the rest of the world. 

The Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener, was once his home. 

"I walked into his room and his palette was stacked and stacked with oils, his paint tubes were messy, I always thought that I was a lazy artist 'cause I didn't clean my things but he was the same way," said Grade 12 student Hannah Vallis, who also photographed the show. 

"I felt at home in his home from the moment I stepped in — it was really great," Vallis said. 

Jessie Ho and Diana Sharaievska, both from Eastwood Collegiate, were also given the Homer Watson Legacy Award of Excellence:

"I really enjoyed his early artwork. His style is really close to mine and I got a lot of inspiration from his work," said Sharaievska. 

"Just the details — lighting, everything, it's stunning. Just his craft and everything he put in, it's really wonderful to see," said Ho.  

Faith Hieblinger, the gallery's executive curator, said Watson inspired the world by showing Canada's landscapes.

"He fell in love with the land...he did a lot for environmentalism so he saved a patch of the land that's behind us," said Hieblinger. 

"Now there's a group of people who are trying to save the land that's adjoined, so that we don't lose that connection to nature. It was important to him and I think he brought that through his painting," she said. 

Perception launched on Sunday and will run through to Jan. 27.