The Kariton Art Gallery, nestled among the trees of Mill Lake Park, hosted the opening reception of Sylvan Stories: The Art of Trees on Feb. 1, 2025. The event was well attended, despite the snow blanketing the park. Gathering artists from throughout the Fraser Valley, — including Jo Kaminsky, Abigail Doyle, and Charles Fawcett — The Art of Trees features pieces telling the story of beauty and nature.
Kaminsky, previously a self-proclaimed casual dabbler of the arts, spoke about how her life shifted when she was injured at work in 2017. To pass her time while at home, she began to create art in earnest. She feels art is good for mindfulness and keeping one in the moment.
Kaminsky’s piece, Change of Seasons, is a mixed-media piece, created by using spray paint, acrylic paint, ink, and leaves from her front yard. The top of her canvas starts in light blue and green tones, which shifts to darker moody colours of brown and red.
“It tells a story about time, from summer to fall and winter … It takes you on a journey, just like time takes you on a journey and changes people.” Kaminsky said.
One of the largest pieces on display, dominating the back wall of the gallery, is a dark, gothic style painting by Abigail Doyle. The Rest Cure is an oil painting — a medium Doyle taught herself last year. While she also enjoys painting portraits of real people, namely herself and her twin sister, Doyle has expanded her practice to include painting swans, still life objects, and deer, like the one displayed in The Rest Cure.
“My favourite part is where the legs meet the body. I was able to use a lot of texture and detail.”
Doyle is drawn to Victorian and Edwardian time periods, finding inspiration for her art in the Victorian tradition of sending melancholy women to the seaside to isolate them. They became a passing thought, just as the deer in the painting, dying on the side of the road.
“I have a personal connection with the deer, because of my struggle with mental illness. The deer represents women,” said Doyle.
A carved face of red cedar stares toward the floor of the Gallery — this piece lovingly carved by experienced carver and artist, Charles Fawcett. While a prolific carver, Fawcett is a multi-disciplinary artist, following inspiration wherever it takes him.
“Three dimensions are what I enjoy working with, but I work with whatever talks the loudest. I do oils and pastels also. I write poetry and music.”
Over 45 years ago, Fawcett attended Emily Carr University of Art + Design, but he has always enjoyed art. A man of many talents, he also enjoys playing the guitar, flute, and handpan. In October 2025, Fawcett will showcase his work at the Mission Arts Council, on his 80th birthday.
“There will be paintings, sculptures, and poetry,” explained Fawcett.
The sculpture on display this month in the Kariton Gallery is called Arbour Sage the 2nd — his wife has claimed the first Arbour Sage to stay in their possession.
When speaking with Meghan Dahl, Kariton Gallery’s curator, about the gallery and their operations, she highlighted the gallery’s gift shop, emphasizing that when someone buys an art piece, the majority of the sale profits go to the artist. The Kariton is a small, local gallery with the goal of supporting artists.
“[I]t’s a way for the artists to sell some of their work without having a studio. I like helping people get started. This is a way we can help them.”
The Kariton Art Gallery runs monthly rotations of shows that are specifically selected to fit together in a theme. They also run two free community art shows yearly that are not curated, allowing any artist, of any age, to enter their pieces. Dahl invites all artists of any skills and mediums to submit their artwork.
“We have a couple of shows like the The Big Tiny, and the Anonymous Art Show which anyone in the community can participate in … they’re really accessible for people who [are] new artists, but can have their work alongside professional artists.”
Interested in showing your own work? Join the email list at AbbotsfordArtsCouncil.com to be notified of upcoming calls for artists. Submitting art pieces is a simple process: fill out the online form and submit it with a photo of your art piece. There is no fee required.
The Kariton Art Gallery is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Art of Trees will run the entire month of February.
