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A Long Journey to Becoming an Artist
Barbara Daley, a 45-year resident of the Peace region, has spent the last 45 years honing her craft as a mixed-media artist. Her latest exhibit, Stitched: People and Places in Photography, Collage and Stitch, is now on display at Peace Gallery North. Daley’s journey as an artist began when she moved to Fort St. John, a move that was “the real impetus” behind her starting to create.
Early Influences and Skills
Daley’s love for art was sparked during her childhood, when her father and she would draw together. She excelled in art classes throughout school, but never thought she could pursue it as a career. Her first real creative expression was joining a local group creating quilts, which she credits as the starting point of her artistic journey.
Inspiration from India
A trip to India with her husband 25 years after their marriage had a profound impact on Daley. The country’s vibrant colors and textures inspired her to explore digital photography and eventually led her to submit her photos for an exhibit at the local gallery. This marked the beginning of her formal artistic education, as she attended art school in Dawson Creek.
Combining Photography and Stitching
Daley’s latest exhibit showcases an array of pieces created over the last 18 months, inspired by an online course she took on combining embroidery and photography. Most of the pieces feature hand-stitching elements, which Daley says are an integral part of her artistic process.
Philanthropy and Community Support
The exhibit will be free to attend, with many pieces available for sale. A portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting war relief efforts in Ukraine through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, a 65% donation. The remaining 35% will be donated to Peace Gallery North, demonstrating Daley’s commitment to the community.
The exhibit will be on display throughout August, with an opening reception scheduled for August 1st at 7 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for the community to experience Daley’s work and support her artistic endeavors.
Viewing the Full Interview
For those interested in learning more about Daley’s artistic journey and the inspiration behind her exhibit, a full interview with the artist can be viewed below:
“… I love finding the beauty in ordinary things, and a lot of that is taking pictures with a phone. I’m not a capital-P Photographer, I don’t understand much about the art and techniques of photography, but I have a pretty good eye, I know what I like.”
— Barbara Daley, mixed-media artist
“… Stitching is an important form of art to me, and a skill I learned from my 100-year-old mother, who is still with us at Peace Villa. She was a wonderful seamstress, designer, sewing teacher, and she had me make my first dress when I was eight years old. So I think I’ve always had a love of textiles because of my mom.”
— Barbara Daley, mixed-media artist
- Combining photography and stitching has allowed Daley to express her creativity in new and innovative ways.
- The exhibit features a range of pieces inspired by Daley’s online course on combining embroidery and photography.
- Daley’s donation of 65% of the exhibit proceeds to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation demonstrates her commitment to supporting important causes.
| Artist Information | Daley, Barbara |
| Exhibit Title | Stitched: People and Places in Photography, Collage and Stitch |
| Exhibit Location | Pace Gallery North |
| Exhibit Dates | August 1st to August 31st |
Highlights of the Exhibit
• Free to attend
• Many pieces available for sale
• 65% of proceeds donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation
• 35% of proceeds donated to Peace Gallery North
Definitions
A form of art that involves creating images using needle and thread.
An art form that combines different materials and techniques to create a unique piece.
A form of art that involves creating images by combining different materials, such as paper and fabric.
The art of capturing images using a camera.
A form of art that involves creating images using needle and thread on fabric.
A type of textile art that involves sewing together layers of fabric to create a cohesive piece.
A program that provides formal training in the arts.