May 26, 2021


Submitted by Helen Mogford and Trina Conboy of MERA (McDonalds Corners Elphin Recreation Association) with files from Jeff Green

Fred Fowler, a true Renaissance person, is the recipient of the 2021 MERA Award for Excellence in the Fine Arts and Fine Crafts

“This was not an easy choice!”, wrote juror Susie Osler. However, after a robust and thoughtful discussion of the twelve submissions, the three-person jury selected painter Fred Fowler as the winner of this year’s Award Of Excellence in Fine Arts and Fine Crafts, with painter Catherine Orfald and clothing designer Cheryl Straby as runners up.

Fred Fowler came to Snow Road over 20 years ago, after a career as police officer, and he has pursued his lifelong passion for painting every since. He is currently serving as a member of North Frontenac Township Council as one of two representatives from the Palmerston-Canonto ward (ward 3). He also sits on local committees and has been involved in local studio tours even since moving to North Frontenac.

“I’m kind of blown away that I got that award. I’m really happy about the recognition. Painting has always been my main focus, except for my family. The read the comments about my work [see below] from the jurors was also very important to me. The whole thing is gratifying,” he said, when contacted early this week.

Jurors Sunny Kerr, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery at Queens University in Kingston, Victoria Henry, curator and art critic, and the former Director of the Canada Council Art Bank, and Susie Osler, ceramic artist, and the founder of Fieldwork, a decade-long, land-based art project in Lanark County, unanimously selected Fred Fowler for the 2021 award.

Victoria Henry said of Fowler’s entry, “The jury was intrigued with the mystery inherent in his work.  What is the man thinking as he looks overboard puffing on a cigarette and is the woman in the background the source of his contemplation?" 

Susie Osler commented, "Fred’s paintings capture intimate, and very particular, moments in time and space that resonate with enigmatic narrative.”

Sunny Kerr writes “Fred Fowler submitted a selection of elegantly rendered and subtly balanced works in Acrylic. Each gently draws your attention to a moment of clarity. Fowler’s skillful depiction of light serves each painting’s disclosure of a fleeting narrative; these range in mood from intense to delicately serene. My favourite piece is Vibrating The Rim.”

Fred Fowler describes his process, “I’m always seeking a visible level of perfection in whatever medium I’m using. In my heart and mind I know why and what I like to paint. I seek to create artwork that is well crafted, done with a “good eye”, artwork that works technically and is visibly desirable and will tell a tale and emotionally move the viewer.”

The MERA Award, consisting of a $1000 prize, will be presented to Fred Fowler at a reception that will take place in September, pending the lifting of COVID restrictions. Cheryl Straby and Catherine Orfald will also be invited. The artwork will be displayed for all to enjoy. If COVID-19 restrictions persist into the fall, the celebration will be held on Zoom. To request an invitation in the event of a Zoom celebration, contact Helen Mogford, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The MERA Award, which is given every two years, was conceived and made possible by a generous donation by Lanark Highlands residents Chris and David Dodge to the Perth and District Community Foundation, which manages the funds. Recognizing MERA’s important contribution to the arts community, the Dodges chose MERA to select the Award winners.

Anyone interested in learning more about the MERA Award is invited to send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit MERA’s website: www.meraschoolhouse.org. The next award will be given in 2023

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