Lobby Art Gallery

February 28 – April 31, 2024

Suzanne Dionne-Coster

My name is Suzanne Dionne-Coster. I am a proud French Acadian, born in 1964 in Edmundston New-Brunwick, now living in Shawnigan Lake BC for the last 24 years. I have studied Fine Arts at le Cégep du View Montréal (Qc) and at the Université de Moncton (NB). I have a Masters in Education from the University of Alberta, and have had a long career as a teacher with many years as a grade 6-7 teacher at Mount Prevost in Duncan – with a focus on Art Education and second language acquisition.

I love swimming in cold water with my dog Cypress, making and discussing ART with friends, running, biking, stretching, breathing. I view art making as playing, being in the moment, as an exploration of the self, of others, and of the environments, as a challenge into the unsaid, the unseen, the undiscovered. In the lasts few years, I have been focusing on oil painting on canvas as well as ink, gouache and watercolor on sculpted Arche paper with both figurative and non-figurative subject matters. I am also interested in Digital mark making, and hoping to explore this further in workshops

I am a leader in my community: I have initiated the processes of creating a French School in Duncan, as well as a French Association. I also volunteer time in the schools to help out with French reading.

Francoise Moulin:

For me, art is a real passion for color, texture, lightness and movement. I love to work in a spontaneous way, inspiring myself with all that surrounds me: giant trees, contact with people of different walks of life, the ocean, everyday objects. I am also using a process of art-based dialogue: when I work with groups to create installations, as well as when I create my own art, and discuss the process with peers. All of the social, civic and ecological contexts to creating art are also an interest to me.

With my art, I like provoke, to invite people to have to think for themselves and find meaning. As with diversity in the Canadian population, I want to showcase art that is not mainstream, but rather multi-faceted, both in the technical and meaning aspects. For me, the purpose of art is to be surprising, humorous and subversive. In my work, I love to contrast decorative details with a more raw thematic side.

Throughout the years, I have worked as an illustrator, working with polymer clay to create three dimensional images. I have also worked on a variety of installations, using found materials, as well as my own creations of papier mâché, drawings, and collage. My art creating room is filled with potentially interesting objects that I collect, and use when the time comes. Color is at the center of my art. For me, color is life, the passion for life, and I never tire of playing with the whimsical aspect of color, a great counter balance for all that is dark, daily, in the news.

Upcoming exhibition: Luminous Echoes by Leona Petrak & Etsuko Kaji-Holley: Vibrant Contemporary Abstract Art Exhibit & Sale |  May 3 – June 30, 2024

Luminous Echoes Opening Reception | May 11, 2024 from 1-3pm.

About the Lobby Art Gallery

The Lobby Art Gallery is located on the 3rd floor in the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre lobby and is open for public viewing one hour prior to show times without a ticket. Private viewings can be arranged by emailing Laura Stephenson at [email protected].