The North and South Peace are joined by more than just the Taylor Bridge - it's also bound by six regional artists.
Judy Templeton, Cindy Vincent, Mary Parslow, Sandy Troudt, Mary Mottishaw and Barbara J. Daley have spent the last year creating a group art exhibition that fosters creativity and explores a variety of mediums.
The group believes that by working together, they've managed to blur the line that divides the North and South Peace.
"We're a very diverse group but we're also very inspiried by the place that we live and by each other to create art on a daily basis," said Daley. "We're so much better as a group than individuals, like I've gotten to know the South Peace so much better. I feel more like I belong in the Peace [Region], rather than the North Peace."
Inspiration 6: Celebrating the Creative Spirit showcases a wide range of mediums, including oils, acrylics, pastels, encaustics, photography, printmaking and mixed media.
While inspired by where they live and where they've been, the final product is vastly different.
Both Daley and Templeton find inspiration in Asia, but their representations are vastly different.
Templeton does sumi-e paintings, or Japanese ink paintings, which are delicate in their execution, which she said the "philosophy is for there to be a tranquility about them."
Daley on the other hand, created work that was inspired by trips to India and China, and "in my particular case, they're anything but tranquil."
Vincent said working together also helped them with the science of art, such as various techniques behind creating a piece.
"That was important for us, to just keep learning and I think it's helped us all with our artwork," she said.
Troudt pointed out two paintings in particular that demonstrates the interpretation of a certain subject. Troudt and Parslow have paintings of the same scene, hay bales in a farmer's field, that were done on the same day during the same workshop - they're similar, but different, much like the artists themselves.
"Our unique way of interpretation of anything is really evident that diversity is a real strength and part of the enjoyment," said Troudt.
The group also did three collaborations - the first is a series of art "tags" with quotes about creativity as well as the artists' biographies written on them.
"It's celebrating the fact that we all have the birthright of creativity, so I think people will feel inspired by reading these, if they take the time," said Daley.
The other two collaborations include a "window" piece, where each artist filled a space on a six-space frame, and a banner project that currently hangs from the loft in the North Peace Cultural Centre atrium.
There's no end in sight for this group, as the ladies are planning another group show in Fairview. Alta. next year, and more shows in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek a year after that.
"We're going to keep collaborating on things because it's been a very good experience, very encouraging experience and good things happen when you get together with likeminded people," said Daley.
Inspiration 6: Celebrating the Creative Spirit is on now at Peace Gallery North. To learn more about the artists, visit www.artistsnorthcanada.com
