Painting a Community – Tanya Cunnington

Artist, gallery owner, and museum curator Tanya Cunnington’s artistic career reflects a bright and colourful personality.

Tanya’s concept drawing for the 2017 Grant’s Woods Conserving Creativity public art project, shows light beaming through the forest across a rope weave adorned with rainbow makers.

As a teenager with nothing to pass the time, Tanya craved the call of the big city. However, as an adult, coming home to Orillia has been one of her best decisions. Not only was moving back to Orillia the right move for Tanya and her family, but it was also the best thing for her as an artist.

Who is Tanya Cunnington? (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

After returning, Tanya and partner Bewabon Shilling founded Birdbath Collaboration, an art initiative that encourages them to step out of their comfort zones and collaborate on their art, helping each other break habits by making choices that the other would never have considered.

Tanya Cunnington – Birdbath Collaboration (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

Thanks to Orillia’s lively artistic community, Tanya has found home, comfort, and support. When she opened her gallery, Lee Contemporary Art, the community came out to support Tanya and her new business, and in turn, she gives back daily to the community through her work as an artist and as the Arts Programming Coordinator at the Orillia Museum of Art and History.

Tanya Cunnington – Artistic Community (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

In particular, Tanya is dedicated to representing Rama First Nation and the Indigenous community of Orillia, making sure that the original peoples of this land have their voices and experiences represented within the larger community. Going forward, there’s no doubt Tanya will continue to inspire and be inspired by the community of Orillia for many years to come.

Tanya Cunnington – Change in Orillia (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

I’ve met so many friends here.
There’s incredible talent in Orillia.