GNO launches 17th season

Time and place have a way of leaving their mark, and the Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario is no exception to the rule. In its 17th season of exhibitions, the Francophone gallery on Elgin Street will explore the concept through the artwork of French-speaking artists from the region and beyond.

Danielle Tremblay, executive director of the gallery, said this season is shaping up to be a good one at the gallery.

“This year, we received 80 submissions, double last year's total,” she said. “We look for a modern, progressive theme statement that relates to all of these submissions. This year, our artists are fascinated by objects and their various functions. How can an everyday object become an art object? Over the coming months, our featured artists will provide answers to that question.”

The 2012-13 season at GNO begins with an exhibition by Anyse Ducharme of Sturgeon Falls. Arti/fiction realities, followed by a sculptural installation featuring items found around home by Laurent Vaillancourt.

“It's important for GNO to present artists from our region because their works interact with our landscape and Northern Ontario realities,” Tremblay said. “We are also excited by projects from artists from outside our region, like Rebecca Belmore, an internationally known artist who will be inspired by our environment as well.

“During her residency, she will spend over a month doing research and creation and she will be looking for opportunities to interact with out community.”

The 17th season of GNO will again include Le Nouveau Louvre, the annual fundraising event that features hundreds of artworks by established and emerging artists.

The season officially begins tonight, Sept. 7, with an opening reception of Ducharme's work at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.gn-o.org.