Louise Solecki Weir

“Claudia with a scarf”, polymer gypsum with oils, 2021, edition of ten

biography

Louise first trained in Fine Arts at Vancouver Community College, before studying in Italy with the University of Georgia, and receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University in Toronto. She obtained her accreditation as an art therapist from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.  She has traveled to England, Italy and the United States to take classes in sculpture and has studied forensic reconstruction under Karen T. Taylor.

Currently, Louise works on her own artistic practice and commissioned pieces. Her bronze portrait bust and statue of Pope John Paul II can be seen at the John Paul II Papal Centre in Vancouver. Her work can be found in private collections in Canada, the U.S., England, and Australia.

Louise has taught clay sculpting to all ages, both expressive and classical styles. Currently, she teaches workshops from her studio and as a guest artist in classrooms and community centers. In the Sculptors’ Society of BC she has held the titles of secretary, treasurer and vice president over the years.

artist statement

Clay, with its sensuality and earthy transmutability, its capacity for spontaneity and formal exactitude, is the medium that inspires me. Whether I am capturing another’s gaze in a portrait or communicating a thought or feeling through a figure, I try to express myself from the heart. My hope is that my artwork reaches, like a little outstretched hand, to the viewer who is looking to touch a strangely familiar experience.

I have taken a particular interest in art therapy, portraiture and forensic reconstruction.  These paths weave their way in differing patterns through my work.   How history expresses itself through our ancestors,  making a current portrait seem timeless, or a feeling in the moment seem true. 

public commissions

Bronze Bust of St. John Paul II, 4885 St. John Paul II Way, Vancouver

Bronze Statue of St. John Paul II, 4885 St. John Paul II Way, Vancouver

Chief Justice Allan McEachern, Law Courts, Vancouver, Unveiling June 22nd, 2017

awards

2021  First Place Sculpture, Shape and Form, Federation of Canadian Artists 

2021  Award  of Merit, Lifting the Sky:  Elevating the the Works of American Women Artists 

2021  2nd place, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art International Biennale Portrait competition, Wausau, WI

2021,  First place sculpture, “On the Edge” Exhibition,  Federation Gallery, Vancouver BC, 

2021  First Place Sculpture, “Water” Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, Canada

2020  First Honors Award, Portrait Society of America, International Juried Competition

2020 First Place, Sculpture, “Bella” Federation of Canadian Artists

2019 15th Finalist non- commissioned category,  Portrait Society of America, Members Only Competition

2018 14th Annual Portrait Society Society of America, Finalist, Commissioned Portrait Category,  Members Only Competition for “Abigail”.

2018 Portrait Society of America International Juried competition, Select 50

2018 2nd Place Sculpture Award, Shape and Form Exhibition, Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC

2018 14th Annual Portrait Society Members Only Competition, Finalist

2015 The Miracle of the Portrait, Canadian Portrait Competition, Certificate of Merit

solo exhibitions

2012 Kitsilano Community Centre, Vancouver BC

2011 Byng Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada

2010 “Portraits of Recovery”, Place Des Arts, Port Coquitlam, BC

2007 Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada

2006 Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada

1984 Winters Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada

group exhibitions

2022 

Breaking Through, the Rise of American Women Artists, March 5-May 29, Customs House Museum,  200 S 2nd St, Clarksville Tennessee, USA

Goddess, ACT Gallery 11944 Haney Pl, Maple Ridge, BC,  Feb. 26-April 9 

Shape and Form, Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC Feb 22-March 6

 2021

Lifting the Sky: Elevating the Works of American Women Artists online Juried Show, May 20-Aug. 21,

On the Edge,    Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC July 12-Aug 1.

Spring Online Juried Show, American Women Artists,  Spring, 2021 

“Water” Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC, Feb. 20 -March 31  

The Poetry Project, Gallery George, 990 George Street,  Vancouver,  BC Jan 7-31

2020

Bella! Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC,   Nov. 16-20

Culture Crawl, Gallery George, 990 George Street, Vancouver BC,  Nov 14-30

2019

Malleable: Changing Notions of Women, Oct. 18-Dec. 10, 2019 Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St. Vancouver, BC

Eastside Culture Crawl, Nov. 14 – 17, 1000 Parker St. Vancouver, BC

Shape and Form, Federation Gallery, Oct. 22-Nov 3, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Salon, Federation Gallery, July 15 – Aug 23, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC

Parker Art Salon, May 24th to 26th, 1000 Parker St., Vancouver BC

2018

Parker Art Salon, May 25th to 27th

Revision, Granville Island, August 30th – Nov. 30th

Shape and Form, Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Oct. 30 – Nov. 11

Eastside Culture Crawl, Nov. 15th to 18th,

2017

Parker Art Salon, May 5-7

Cityscape Gallery with SSBC, April 28-June 3

New Forms Matter, Cityscape Gallery, North Vancouver, Apr 24 to June 5th

The Persistence of Doubt, January 15th to May 14th, Tom Thompson Gallery, Owen Sound, with Michael Markowsky

2016

Leigh Square,  July August, Sculptors Society of BC Exhibition, July 14 to Aug. 1

Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada, July 29th to Aug 1st

Eastside Culture Crawl, 1000 Parker, Nov. 17th – 20th

Wood, Clay, Stone and Beyond, Sculpture Northwest Gallery, Bellingham, USA. Oct 7- Dec. 17th

2015

Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada

SWARM 16, ACME Studios, 112 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC, Canada

East Side Culture Crawl, 112 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Avenue Gallery, Victoria, BC.

2014

6th Annual H’Arts for the Homeless, The Imperial, Vancouver, BC, Canada

SWARM 15, ACME Studios, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada

Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada

2013

“Small Works”, Petley Jones Gallery,

“Tribute to David Marshall Exhibition”, Big Rock Sculpture Garden, Seattle, U.S.A.

Sculpture in Van Dusen Gardens, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Group Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada

Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada

Bloedel Conservatory, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada

2012

Petley Jones Gallery with the MPA, Vancouver BC, Canada

“ArtSpacific” Juried Exhibition, Delta, BC, Canada

Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver B, Canada

Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver BC, Canada

2011

Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Group Exhibition, Vancouver B, Canada

Flowers for Food, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada

Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver BC, Canada

Artists in our Midst, Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada

“For the Love of Art”, Scotia Bank, Vancouver BC, Canada

Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2010

“Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition” Place des Arts, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada

Perspectives on Identity, International Village, Vancouver BC, Canada

Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada

Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver BC, Canada

Sheraton Landmark Wall Centre, Feature Gala Artist

Gallery Gachet, Vancouver BC Canada.

2009

Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver B.C.

“Winter White” Laura Jewitt Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada

Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2008

Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver B.C.

Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Van Ypren Jewellers, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada

2007

The Sanctuary Gallery, Grace Church, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Burnaby Art Gallery, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada

Byng Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada

2006

VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Pendulum Gallery, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2000-2003

Commissions from Gardenstone Statuary. Vancouver

1986 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1987 Weller Potovsky Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada

1988 Weller Potovsky Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada

1989 Weller Potovsky Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada

1985 Winters Gallery York University

collections

Louise’s art is featured in a number of private collections in Canada including the Catholic Archdiocese in Vancouver as well as private collectors in the USA, England, Australia, and the Netherlands.

memberships 

Sculptors’ Society of BC

FIDEM, Federation of International Medallists

MASC, Medallists Association of Canada

Registered member of the American Art Therapy Association

education

2019 Master Class in Facial Reconstruction Sculpture with Karen T. Taylor, Texas State University

2018 Sculpting the Portrait in Clay, Florence Academy of Art

2017 Bas Relief with Eugene Daub, Scottsdale Arizona

2015 Master Class in Facial Reconstruction Sculpture with Karen T. Taylor, Texas State University

2014 Forensic Facial Reconstruction Sculpture with Karen Taylor, Scottsdale Art School, AZ

2011 Master Class through the Society of Portrait Sculptors, London, England

2009 Master Class through the Society of Portrait Sculptors, London, England

2006 Medallion Workshop, Geert Maas, Kelowna

1997-98 Vancouver Art Institute, figurative and portrait classes,

1992-93 Capilano College Art Institute, North Vancouver, B.C.

1987-1989 Masters Level Diploma in Art Therapy Toronto Art Therapy Institute,

1982- 1985 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Honours, York University, Ont.

1981, University of Georgia Studies Abroad Program (Cortona Italy)

1979-1981 Diploma in Fine Arts, Vancouver Community College,

teaching

MISSA, Metchosin International School for the Arts, June 2017

Kerrisdale Artists Group

Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

Private workshops in Studio

UBC, support for Next-Gen U online programming, 2012

Byng Arts, 2012. 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018