Written By Olena Riznyk
PARKHILL – A new exhibit at the Parkhill Carnegie Gallery is telling a story shaped by loss, reflection, and creative experimentation.
Making Mark Art, featuring more than 30 works by artist Mark McLaurin, opened this week and will run for approximately six weeks. The exhibit showcases a wide range of styles, with most pieces created within the past year.
For McLaurin, the path to this exhibit began after a major life shift. “I spent most of my life running my own business,” he said. “When that ended, I had to step back and ask myself what really matters and what actually makes me happy.”
That reflection led him to focus on art–something he describes as a consistent source of joy, even through personal hardship. “I’ve had a lot of setbacks in life,” he said. “But I realized I want to do something that makes me happy and helps other people.”
Those experiences now shape both the themes and the process behind his work. Many pieces explore ideas of life and transition, including one of his featured paintings, Soul’s Journey. “People are constantly coming and going every day,” he said. “This is where we come to learn–this isn’t really our home.”
McLaurin’s approach to art is highly experimental. He works with different paint consistencies, allowing colours to mix directly on the canvas rather than controlling every detail. In some pieces, he adds materials like salt to create texture and light-reflecting effects. He has also experimented with using sound vibrations to generate patterns, exploring ways to turn those into visual art.
He has also experimented with sound-based techniques, attempting to translate vibration into visual patterns. “I’ve been experimenting with using sound frequencies to create patterns,” he said. “The idea is to turn those patterns into paintings.”
Gallery organizers say the exhibit reflects both artistic diversity and the broader role of the gallery in the community. “We are thrilled to have Mark here as a featured artist,” said Rebecca Bender of the Parkhill Artisan Collective. “We really believe there’s a need for an artistic outlet in the community.”
The gallery offers classes, children’s programming, and opportunities for emerging artists to display their work. “This gives people a place to show what they’ve created, gain encouragement, and build confidence,” Bender said. For McLaurin, the exhibit is about more than art. “I can’t change the world with my art,” he said. “But I’m going to try.”
The exhibit is open to the public during regular gallery hours.
