Dryden Artist joins 2026 Arts Exhibition in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario
We’re thrilled to welcome Dryden artist Tanya McArthur to our 2026 Spring Arts Exhibition. A familiar face at music events across Melgund Township and the surrounding region, Tanya brings her creative energy from the stage into the gallery—sharing a vibrant selection of recent work for audiences to experience and enjoy.
Tanya McArthur is a multidisciplinary artist from Dryden, Ontario, whose creative practice is deeply rooted in family, community, and a lifelong connection to the land. Raised under the influence of her grandparents, Bill and Mable Franklin, and her parents, Milton and Wilma Bye, she was immersed early in a rich world of making—spending time in nature, working alongside her grandfather in his woodworking shop, and learning traditional and hands-on skills such as carving, chest-making, pottery, beading, leatherwork, knitting, and crocheting.
Since beginning her painting journey in 1998, McArthur has developed a distinctive style focused on realistic landscapes and animals, working primarily in acrylics across an eclectic range of surfaces including canvas, wood, glass, metal saw blades, and milk cans. In 2025, she expanded her practice into watercolour, embracing new techniques and materials such as watercolour pencils, markers, and tile work—continuing her exploration with curiosity and openness.
McArthur remains actively engaged in her local arts community, with support from groups such as the Dryden Artist Association, the Dyment Hall, and the Dryden Go-Getters. Alongside her visual art, she also shares a passion for music with her husband, Gerry. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for craft, tradition, and the natural world, brought together through decades of creative exploration.
About this year’s Spring Exhibition
Each year, our seasonal exhibitions rotate between Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. This year’s exhibition runs from April 17-May 17, 2026 at the Dyment Recreation Hall. The gallery space is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
This year’s month-long exhibition will also feature activities such as:
- Live Creative Sessions: Open mic nights and communal music jams.
- Knowledge Sharing: Guest artist talks and hands-on participatory workshops.
- Community Dialogues: In-person and virtual community discussions on the intersections of art, climate change, virtual reality, and the transboundary impacts of nuclear waste management.
For more information, visit https://melgundrecreation.ca.
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