Plein air with PAG at Niagara-on-the-Lake

Plein air with PAG at Niagara-on-the-Lake

By Nerissa Coronel Pineda

The PAG held an impromptu mini exhibition of their works at the Simcoe park later in the day. Front, L-R: Frank Tonido, President Omel Masalunga, Jun Afable, Frank Cruzet and Jhun Diamante. Standing, L-R: Michelle Ramos, Nerissa Pineda, Herand Abordo, Nelia Tonido, Cobie Cruz, Rolly Abarilla, former NOTL Lord Mayor Art Viola (host and guest-of-honour), Teody Asuncion, Romi MananQuil, Leo Pineda and Ed Araquel.

Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is lovely any time of the year, but it is loveliest and most welcoming in the summer.

Its delights have not been lost to the members of the Philippine Artists Group. After all, NOTL has been described as the most beautiful town in Canada, with its heritage homes, flower-filled and tree-lined streets, parks, tempting shops, charming inns, and bucolic wineries. It has always attracted artists, as well as tourists.

The PAG artists, with their families and friends, spent an August Sunday (August 7) at this town, on a picnic and outdoor (plein air) painting excursion. They were warmly welcomed by former NOTL Lord Mayor, our very own Art Viola, who took the fifteen PAG members and their companions on a mini tour. After the tour, Mr. Viola and the PAG contingent feasted on Filipino delicacies (dinuguan!) and a wide array of other dishes and desserts. Most of the rest of the day was spent painting images of NOTL’s old town – sceneries in Simcoe Park, the Queen’s Royal Park and the historic Prince of Wales Hotel.

The day was capped by an impromptu mini art exhibition at Simcoe Park, which attracted a crowd of appreciative locals and tourists.

PAG artists in attendance were Rolly Abarilla, Herand Abordo, Antonio Afable, Jr., Teody Asuncion, Ma. Nellie Bautista, Marissa Buyco Corpus, Cobie Cruz, Frank Cruzet, Jhun Ciolo Diamante, Romi C. MananQuil, Omel Masalunga, Nerissa Coronel Pineda, Michelle Chermaine Ramos, Frank Tonido, and Nelia Tonido.