By Yasmin Popescu

FN Staff Reporter

Bahamian artist Chantal E. Y. Bethel is exhibiting in a group show in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Bethel spent part of the winter and spring of 2012 in Vancouver and welcomed the opportunity to explore the world of mixed media at the ArtWay studios.

With the motto "Explore. Create. Inspire" the ArtWay is an artist-run studio that showcases Vancouver artists and runs a number of art classes teaching art as a journey.

The instructors, Denna Erickson and Sonya Iwasiuk encourage other artists/students to work towards self-expression, independent thinking, experiencing the transformative nature of the process of art.

"The Ignite the Soul mixed media course is an experience I will truly remember," says Bethel.

"It enabled me to let my creativity freely flow without expectations."

Denna Erickson, the founder and owner of the ArtWay, is a graduate of Emily Carr University and the University of Victtoria.

She has also taught art professionally for 20 years.

Erickson is a very talented artist whose work inspired and was used as the performance backdrop for a Vancouver Island Symphony Concert. Canadian composer, Allan Gordon Bell created Chiaroscuro after viewing Denna's work. Erickson is assisted by Sonya Iwasiuk at the ArtWay Studios.

Chantal Bethel's work will be exhibited in the "Summer Salon" art exhibition, opening on August 10.