With backgrounds from Mississauga, Serbia and the UK, Mississauga’s Fausta Facciponte, Brampton’s Tatyana Bastovanovic and Caledon’s Jeremy Guy represent Peel’s rich cultural roots and a breadth of artistic influences.

Fausta Facciponte has lived in Mississauga for 40 years in what was the former Township of Cooksville, where she says she “developed a kind of safe place through art.” She was driven to complete an HBA from the University of Toronto, specializing in Art and Art History, and continued her studies at Sheridan College in courses ranging from glassblowing to the history of photography. The piece being exhibited at the Juried Show is her photograph, “Emma for $1.15,” which won one of three Juror’s Awards.

“I really like to explore loss, transformation, restoration and change, so the final image in my work is usually a product where creation and destruction come together,” says Fausta, whose submissions to the show have allowed her to showcase her work over the past 14 years.

“My experience has always been great,” she says of her eighth appearance at the Juried Show. “The show always brings in jurors that are qualified, influential and proficient in the art world. I’m always impressed by the way the jurors pull together a show that is both diverse and coherent.”

One of Fausta’s photographs has been chosen by the John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland to be featured in a publication, and will also be on display at an upcoming show in Puerto Rico.

Tatyana Bastovanovic’s exhibition, “The Walls,” blends experiences from her native Serbia with her current hometown, Brampton. Tatyana’s entry has the distinction of winning a Juror’s Award this year and is the latest of a series focusing on urban life, from Europe to Peel.

Tatyana has been a professional artist for 18 years, achieving a degree in graphic design and Master of Fine Arts from a Serbian university. She moved to Brampton seven years ago, where she met her husband, and is excited to be featured in this year’s show.

“This is my fifth time being exhibited at the Juried Show,” says Tatyana, whose pieces are exhibited across the GTA in various art galleries. “It’s a great experience.”

Tatyana’s future goal is to pursue a PhD from York University’s Fine Arts program. Some of her work can be viewed at Art Avenue in Toronto. Her current exhibition will be featured at the PHC until June 15.

Jeremy Guy moved from northern England to northern Peel in August 2007 with his wife and two children. Currently residing in the Town of Caledon, Jeremy uses his barn as a workshop to create abstract sculptures from granite and marble stone resin. With a degree in Product Design, his interest in aesthetics is only part of the reason he was inspired to become a sculptor.

“Those who are driven to express themselves usually begin to question the validity of their work–and so begins a never ending search which is really an extension of the emotional states artists are in tune with,” reflects Jeremy. “It occurs to me that this search for truth is what makes us human, and the acceptance that we will never find it helps us to live together.”

His feature at this year’s Juried Show, entitled “Complete,” was inspired by the documentary, “March of the Penguins.”

“There is some slight reference to the penguin form itself, although the idea really was to get across the unity created by a couple in love via an iconic, but abstract, form,” says Jeremy.

For the complete list of artists exhibited at this year’s Juried Show, to request an interview or to arrange a photo shoot with the artists, contact Josie Premzell at the PHC: 905-791-4055, ext. 3625.

The PHC is operated by the Region of Peel and is located at 9 Wellington St. E. in Brampton. The Complex is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4:30 p.m.; and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission fees are $2.50 for adults; $1.50 for seniors; $1 for students; and $7 for families.

The PHC is made up of the Region of Peel Museum, the Art Gallery of Peel and the Region of Peel Archives. Together they collect, preserve and display a variety of materials related to Peel's heritage.

Released by the Region of Peel on May 30, 2008 at 11:46.