Decorated Corner

Mary Phelps
Decorated Corner, 1967
Oil on canvas
62.86 x 85.72 cm
Gift of Margaret Phelps Fenwick, Alberta, 1994

Mary Phelps grew up painting in Lambton County, but never had any formal training. As an adult she became interested in forming a local arts scene in Sarnia, where she could learn the proper painting techniques. In the 1960’s there were very few opportunities in this area, Mary and a few friends put an announcement in the local paper to form a group of like-minded artists, resulting in the formation of the Sarnia Artists Workshop (SAW).

Mary became the first President of the Sarnia Artists Workshop in 1964, drafting a constitution and guidelines for membership in the group, which still functions to this day.