Olga Szaranski

About the Artist

 
​​Olga was born in 1924 in the Ukraine and emigrated to Canada in 1950 from a German ‘Displaced Persons Camp’ after the war.   From early years, art has always amazed her.  However, it wasn’t until later in life that she was able to pursue her interest in painting, once her family was raised and her retirement from the resort business afforded her more time.  Her art education started with four years of evening courses at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough.    Teachers included Edwin Matthews, Jack Hamer and Philip Webb.  She also attended many workshops in Ontario led by established artists such as Poul Thrane, Pauline Holancin, Ron Leonard and Guttorn Otto as well as others at the Buckhorn School of Art.
 
As an active member of the ECOAA (East Central Ontario Art Association), she has held the position of Assistant Bulletin Editor and currently is the Archivist.  She takes an active part in many juried shows including the ECOAA and the Visual Art Centre of Bowmanville where she has received many awards.   The Art Gallery of Peterborough has offered her work at the many fund raising events and she has also shown in the Art Rental.  As a member of  KAGS (Kawartha Artists Gallery & Studio) in Peterborough and Spirit of the Hills, in Campbellford, she exhibits her work regularly.
 
She works in oils and acrylics.  However, acrylics are preferred for painting trips as they are fast drying.  This was helpful on her painting trips to southern France, Newfoundland and the west coast.  Her work is plein air, all year round.  Later in the studio she evaluates and puts on the finishing touches.  Her favourite subject matter is the Canadian landscape that often includes old buildings, barns, sugar shacks and historical homes that intrigue her.  Olga finds history particularly interesting and that this shows in her love for these old places, especially those in neglected condition, as they may soon disappear. The beauty she sees in flowers and still life shows in the paintings produced at her home studio and reflect her love of gardening.  She has been painting full time since 1980.
 
She is represented in several fine art galleries in Ontario and in many private collections in Canada and the United States, as well as abroad as far away as England, Holland, Germany, Norway and the Ukraine.  Also her work has been purchased by Johnson and Johnson Medical Products Corporation. Olga's studio is located just outside Peterborough.
​She can be reached at  705-939-6969
 
ARTIST’S STATEMENT 
 
Working in oils and acrylics I hope my response to my love of the Canadian landscape via my paintings makes a connection with the viewer.  This is especially true when the landscape includes old buildings as many are fast-disappearing.  My painting style is impressionistic and my passion for history provides the content.   My interest in gardening also reflects a subject matter that includes the beauty I see in flowers as well as still life arrangements.

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ARTIST’S EXHIBITION HISTORY 
 
 
Represented by the following Galleries:
Bancroft Art Gallery                                                                          Bancroft, Ontario
 
 
Joint Shows for 2016
 
April 2016 - Joint Show at Art Gallery of Bancroft – Olga Szaranski & Lucy Manley
                   ‘Roadside Painters’ – Mother & Daughter
                    How our Relationship and painting together have influenced our Work
 
June 2016 – Joint Show at Kawartha Artists Gallery & Studio, Peterborough
                     Olga Szaranski & Mary Oughtred
                    ‘Trip Picks:  A Retrospective of Travels and Explorations’
 
 
 
Solo Shows to Date:
2013 - Spirit of the Hills - Starlight Cafe - From the Heart             Cobourg                     
2012-11-04 - Art Gallery of Peterborough - Studio Tour                Peterborough             
2009 - Show Place                                                                          Peterborough
2008 - Kawartha Visitor Centre                                                       Peterborough
2004 - Madawaska Art Shop - Artist Profile                                    Maynooth
2004 - Algonquin Visitor Centre - Lakes & Rivers                           Algonquin Park
2004 - Spirit of the Hills - Seymour Library - My Travels                 Campbellford
2003-04 - Holiday Inn Gallery                                                          Peterborough
2000 - A. Sheila Boyd Foundation Art Room                                   Bobcaygeon
2000 - Dyson Gallery                                                                       Mathers Corners
1997, 2001 - Visual Arts Centre of Clarington                                 Bowmanville
1995-98 - Peterborough Arts Umbrella - Gallery in the Square       Peterborough
 
Group Exhibitions
Bark Lake Conference Centre                                                          Irondale
Proximity Fine Arts                                                                           Stoney Lake
Spirit of the Hills – All That Jazz – Ganaraska Art & Frame             Port Hope
Kawartha Artists Studio & Gallery – Outdoor Painters                     Peterborough
Cobourg Rotary Club Waterfront Festival                                         Cobourg
Visual Arts Centre – Juried Show                                                     Bowmanville
Visual Arts Centre – Xmas Miniatures                                              Bowmanville
East Central Ontario Art Association - Juried Show                         Ottawa                       
East Central Ontario Art Association - Visitor Centre                       Algonquin Park
Spirit of the Hills - Juried Show                                                         Warkworth
Lang Century Village                                                                         Lang/Keene
St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre                                                           Oakville