About The Gallery
Colborne Street Gallery
The region’s finest local art in a space that feels like home.
Founded in 2018, the Colborne Street Gallery is a welcoming space dedicated to celebrating contemporary art in all its forms, from painting, drawing, and photography to sculpture, fibre, and mixed media. We are also deeply honoured to showcase a selection of exceptional Inuit art from Kinngait Studios, Nunavut. Our diverse exhibition programming bridges communities, shining a spotlight on local talent from the Kawartha Lakes while introducing compelling work from emerging, mid-career, and established artists across Canada.
Located in the heart of downtown Fenelon Falls, the gallery hosts artist talks, hands-on workshops, and special events designed to engage and support our vibrant local community. We are a proud member of the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and the Arts & Heritage Trail.
The Colborne Street Gallery gratefully acknowledges that our work, and the work of our community partners, takes place on the traditional lands of the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg. Fenelon Falls is covered by the Williams Treaty and Rice Lake Treaty #20.
Submissions: Artists are invited to apply via our submission form here. Due to volume, we cannot guarantee a personal response, but every application is carefully reviewed. We kindly request that you do not bring physical artwork into the gallery for review, as we cannot accommodate walk-in assessments.
TIM WISENER, CO-OWNER
Before launching his design business alongside his husband Chris, Wisener completed his studies in Theatre Production Technology. He was the Tour Manager for the Alberta Ballet Company and has worked with both the Canadian Stage Company and the Banff Centre. Wisener’s admiration for fine art is born from a deep respect, and some jealousy, for artists’ talent. His time at the Banff Centre fostered in him a profound interest in the astounding products that seemed to come from inter-disciplinary artistic collaboration, and as such has inspired his long-term hope to someday offer artistic residencies. Ultimately, Wisener wishes to establish a space where creators can create; free of any predispositions about what that relationship entails.
CHRIS VAN LIEROP, CO-OWNER
Van Lierop began his career as the owner of his own accounting practice. His love of art lead him to the founding of a new business; Home by Tim + Chris. Art has always been celebrated in his family and the discussions he would have with his parents about their favourite works inspired an admiration for creative practice. It was not until 15 years ago, as he made the transition from accountant to interior designer, that Van Lierop truly began to understand what he loved about art. Now, operating his design business from within Colborne Street Gallery, Van Lierop draws inspiration from the art that surrounds him. Because of this, he felt it was very important for people, especially children, in the area to have access to art that inspires them. Van Lierop wanted to provide the community’s youth with the opportunity for art to become a part of their lives, just as it played a big part in his. That’s why the gallery’s proudest moments, in Chris’s eyes, are when it hosts educational sessions for Fenelon Falls Secondary School’s art students. He believes that art is meant to be accessible and that is precisely why the gallery will always be open for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
KEVIN FRANK, GALLERY COORDINATOR
Since joining the Colborne Street Gallery team in 2019, Kevin Frank has made it his mission to ensure every visitor feels right at home. With a background rooted in illustration and publishing, Kevin is the author-illustrator of the children's graphic novel series, "Scurvy Dogs," which has achieved international sales of over 90,000. His freelance work includes collaborations with notable publishers like Scholastic, the Discovery Channel, and King Features Syndicate, and his work has been profiled in the New York Times. Kevin is honoured to champion the work of local artists and is always excited to help visitors find a piece they'll love for years to come.
DARCIE KENNEDY, STRATEGIC ADVISOR
As a founding member and former Managing Director, Darcie continues to support the organization as an honorary Strategic Advisor. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Specialist in Art & Art History, Minor in Political Science) from the University of Toronto, a Diploma in Art & Art History from Sheridan College, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa. An active contemporary artist, Kennedy’s practice explores the relationship between predetermined methodologies and painting. Her work has been exhibited across Canada, including Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, as well as internationally in Japan.
