Borups Corners Artist Leanne Nicholson Showcases Land-Based Mixed Media Work at 2026 Spring Arts Exhibition in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario
This year’s Spring Arts Exhibition at the Dyment Recreation Hall in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario is proud to spotlight the powerful, land-based work of Borups Corners artist Leanne Nicholson. Her pieces bring a distinct and deeply rooted perspective to the exhibition, reflecting both personal experience and a strong connection to the natural world.
Born in Red Lake and grounded in Northwestern Ontario, Nicholson’s artistic practice is shaped by a lifetime spent on the land. Much of her childhood unfolded at her family’s cabin on McKenzie Island, where time outdoors—surrounded by forest, water, and wildlife—formed the foundation of her creative voice. That early connection continues to guide her work today.
Nicholson works across visual and mixed-media forms, creating pieces that range from detailed wildlife imagery to carefully painted antlers, bones, and skulls. Using natural materials gathered from the forest, her work transforms these elements into meaningful artistic expressions. Each piece carries a strong sense of respect and intention, honouring the life of the animal while extending its presence through art.
Her process is rooted in what she describes as receiving “gifts from nature,” collected over time and incorporated into her work with care. The result is a body of work that sits at the intersection of Northwestern Ontario arts, land-based practice, and contemporary mixed-media expression—blending organic textures with vivid, symbolic imagery.
Beyond material and technique, Nicholson’s art also reflects a deeply personal dimension. Her creative practice has served as an important outlet for expression, particularly during periods of depression, when words were difficult to access. This emotional depth is present throughout her work, offering viewers a sense of connection, reflection, and quiet understanding.
Today, Nicholson continues to integrate her artistic practice into her professional life, using creativity as a tool for engagement, support, and healing. Her work stands as a powerful example of how art in Northern Ontario can bridge personal experience, land, and community.
About the Exhibition
The Spring Arts Exhibition runs until May 20, 2026 at the Dyment Recreation Hall in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario. Gallery hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1–4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
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