Irene McCuaig

Irene has created artwork since childhood and had her first one-person show at Sunset Gallery in 2006.

After graduating high school, Irene took teacher-training in Thunder Bay; then went on to get a BA in English and Psychology. She taught school for eight years before realizing she would rather study art. There followed a number of years of teaching part-time and studying art part-time at Cambrian College in Sudbury and Ontario College of Art in Toronto.

For a number of years, Irene worked as a copywriter/designer in Toronto.

When the attraction of Northwestern Ontario called her home, Irene continued to share her interest in art by offering evening art classes in drawing and watercolour/acrylic painting.

In 1997, Irene won a national competition sponsored by the Canadian Legion for her poster depicting the “Year of the Older Person”.

Irene continues to study art and take courses. She prefers to combine painting with travel and has studied art during vacation trips to Provence, France; Oregon, USA and Yorkshire, England.

In 2006, Irene wrote and taught an introductory art appreciation course offered on-line through Confederation College.

With the closing of the paper mill in Kenora, local artists realized the need to promote the arts in the area and make Kenora an “art city” instead of a “paper mill city.” LOWAC (Lake of the Woods Artists’ Collective) was formed and has already staged numerous successful shows and events. Irene serves as the Visual Artists representative on the board of LOWAC.

She is presently teaching Grade 7/8 in the Fine Arts program at Lakewood School in Kenora, Ontario.