Art and nature meet at Elizabeth’s Gallery with new native plant mural

Elizabeth Van den Broeck.

A new native plant mural at Elizabeth’s Art Gallery in Goderich is inviting the community to look closely and get creative. The Wildflower Wall Challenge lets participants identify native plants for a chance to win prizes.

The Goderich Co-op Art Gallery and Elizabeth’s Art gallery are bringing a new contest to the community with a focus on environmental awareness and artistic flair,

“My next painting exhibit will focus entirely on native plants. It’s a two-year project I’m working on with my assistant here at the gallery,” said Elizabeth Van den Broeck, founder of Elizabeth’s Art Gallery.

“The Co-Op Art Gallery, which occupies the lower level of my building, are my tenants, and we wanted to make sure people know they can access us through either entrance, because native plants are my passion project, that’s what I chose to highlight for this exhibit.”

Elizabeth’s Art Gallery has unveiled a new back entrance marked by a full-wall mural of native plants painted by Susan Seitz and her son Dylan Seitz.

The gallery is inviting the public to take part in the Wildflower Wall Challenge, an interactive contest that lets visitors identify the plants featured in the mural for a chance to win more than $1,000 in prizes, including a $500 custom framing certificate.

“I’m on a personal mission right now to learn about native plants their benefits to the environment, how to grow them, and how to manage invasive species,” said Van den Broeck.

“I have 13 acres along the Maitland River, and I’ve been studying plants like buckthorn, garlic mustard, and knapweed, along with the other invasive species that are causing problems.”

To participate in the Wildflower Wall Challenge, visitors should start by entering Elizabeth’s Art Gallery through the back entrance, which is visible from the Montreal Street parking lot.

Guests are invited to study the mural closely and try to identify as many native plant species as possible.

Participants can also submit their guesses online though the gallery’s website or by scanning the QR code at the entrance or fill out a ballot in person. Each correct identification counts as an entry, increasing the chances of winning.

A bonus entry is available for those who post a photo with the mural on Instagram or Facebook, tagging Elizabeth’s Art Gallery with #nativeplantmuralgoderich.

“I think this challenge encourages the community to show off both their off artistic flair and creativity,” said Van den Broeck.

“What I really love is that it has a public art component, is that no matter what the mural is about, it’s a piece of public art that’s a permanent part of the community. I think that’s what makes it so special.”

Elizabeth’s Art Gallery is offering a $500 gift certificate for custom framing as the grand prize in its mural contest. The Goderich Co-op Gallery is also contributing three special prizes, totaling $500, to be awarded throughout the contest.

Children can enter by submitting completed colouring pages, with art supply sets available as prizes in three age categories.

The contest is open to all ages, though winners must visit Elizabeth’s Art Gallery or the Goderich Co-op Gallery to claim their prizes.

All ages can also participate in the colouring page challenge, divided into three categories: 0–6, 7–14, and adult. Submitted entries will be displayed in the newly renovated Gallery Studio on the lower level.

Winners will be notified by email on October 31, and the contest closes at midnight on October 26.

“We have a couple of amazing events coming up, and one is happening very soon on October 26 is our Spooky Walk at Balls Bridge, and it’s absolutely incredible,” added Van den Broeck.

“We open the forest trail to the community and set the scene with spooky music, apple cider, a fireplace, and a last fire pit with marshmallows. Everything is decorated to be fun, creepy, and a little scary and last year, over 400 people came.”