Art & Culture in the Hall

As a resident of Oshawa, one of the things Mac most loves about this city is how much natural space there is. Hiking, fishing, and visiting the lake are all wonderful activities. But their favourite is working in the garden, which they’ve been rehabilitating from a nearly lifeless patch of dirt overrun with goutweed and garlic mustard into a vibrant, thriving space filled with edible and native plants. A stream runs through it, and they often see foxes, frogs, dragonflies, and more—all while still being a short walk from the amenities they need.

Mac’s art is deeply influenced by nature. For them, art is a form of creative expression, and there is no expression more complex, diverse, or beautiful than life and the natural world. they see patterns, textures, and interactions that many people might overlook. This way of seeing is partly shaped by their experience as an autistic person—it gives them a strong attention to detail and a deep, focused appreciation for the intricacies of ecosystems, the quiet narratives of a landscape, and the delicate relationships between living things.

In this series, they’re working in acrylic, using many thin layers and fluorescent colours to create a sense of glow and depth that mirrors how vibrant and alive the natural world feels to them. These paintings depict a large fox, a smaller frog, and three tiny dragonflies—each chosen for its role in the ecosystem and for the way it captured their attention. While the forms are recognizable, they’re not aiming for realism. Instead, Mac focuses on expressing the energy and presence of each creature, using colour and layering to highlight their interconnectedness and individuality. Their hope is that these works invite others to pause and notice the beauty, nuance, and significance of even the smallest lives around us.

Danielle Alexander is an emerging artist who explores memories and stories from her past. Working across a variety of mediums, Danielle pulls from nostalgia, history, and pop culture to create narrative artworks of the Canadian landscape and fantastical worlds.

Born and raised in Oshawa, she has exhibited across the Greater Toronto Area, including the Ontario Legislative Assembly, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, and Gallery 1313. In 2025, Danielle graduated from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts and was the recipient of the Oshawa Culture Counts Emerging Artist Award.

This collection of work celebrates the natural environment found throughout Ontario. In her work, she often returns to memories of camping with her family, spotting wildlife, and exploring local parks. Here, she captures these memories using watercolour, acrylic paint, and screen printing.

Islands made of rock and moss jut from calm blue water, with pines creeping up from the shore to the cloudy sky. A baby rabbit hides under foliage, its mottled fur shielding it among the grass and leaves, while a garter snake raises its neck through the deadfall, tasting the air in anticipation. A beaver floats peacefully under a log, waiting by the shore as the creek bubbles and flows past it. Finally, camp chairs are gathered around a roaring fire, its warm light reflects off the bark and leaves surrounding this sanctuary in the forest.

Leequette “Lala” Santiago’s work captures the quiet, in-between moments of everyday life, the fleeting glimpses of joy, play, and presence that often pass unnoticed.

This series reflects on the nostalgic aura of childhood and the bliss it carries, while also acknowledging the tender weight of caregiving.

Through the juxtaposition of a child’s carefree play and a caregiver’s constant awareness, Santiago invites viewers to consider the delicate balance adults face: when to shoulder the demands of responsibility, and when to pause, let go, and join in the play.

Diana Nadia Lawryshyn’s practice explores pareidolia —the human tendency to see images among ambiguous forms —and its role in the process of meaning-making.

At first glance, her paintings may appear as abstract brushstrokes on wooden panels, but with prolonged attention, faces, figures, and other unexpected forms begin to emerge. This imagery is her response to the natural patterns in wood grain and a reflection of her subconscious.

Her creative choices are process-based: each brushstroke informs the next, and the outcome remains unpredictable until it emerges through the act of painting. She discovers the significance of the work as she creates, and ultimately invites viewers to do the same as they interpret it.

The artwork on display is a selection of master works from her Ribbons collection, characterized by linear brushwork on wooden panels. Through this series, she aims to reflect the subtle interconnectedness of the natural world and invite viewers to consider a shift in perspective—much like the ever-changing dance of ribbons in the wind, where no flutter is quite the same twice.

The species of wood panels themselves vary widely, ranging from smooth birch and maple to knotty pine and reclaimed woods, each surface carrying its own history and character.