Exhibition Statement: Photography at Mill Pond Medical Centre

Exhibition Title: Photography at Mill Pond Medical Centre

Artist: Sarah Hawley

Date: August 27th, 2026 - November 27th, 2026

Location: Mill Pond Medical Centre

               106 Victoria Street West, Alliston, Ontario, L9R 1L7

The South Simcoe Arts Council's (SSAC) Arts in Our Community Program presents an exhibition of work by Sarah Hawley from August 27th, 2026 - November 27th, at the Mill Pond Medical Centre in Alliston, Ontario. This body of work will be on display on the 2nd Floor in the shared waiting room of Dr. Calin's office and the Audiologist on-site. The collection of photographs on display embody pattern and repetition - traits commonly found in Sarah's work, but in these images she has also captured a sense of calmness in each scene. The images were carefully selected with an awareness that they will be displayed in a waiting room of a health care facility. Sarah’s artwork has always been focused on pattern and repetition and this photographic body of work continues her investigation of these elements.

The photographs on view feature images in a soft colour palette or in black and white. This colour choice enhances the depiction of calmness in each photograph. Each scene was taken from a place that the artist visited on her travels where she experienced peace and calm first hand. The locations of where these photographs were taken range from Switzerland, England, and France. Scenes that are far from the doctor's office in Alliston. The exhibition will be on display for 3 months, from the later part of summer and span across fall and into early winter.

Although the images in the exhibition appear on the surface to be completely different from each other, including the style or genre, colour, composition, and subject matter, they all address the foundation of Sarah’s practice which is rooted in exploring pattern, repetition, and ornamentation. The selection of scenes that each depict a calmness were chosen to be displayed in the waiting area of the doctor's office to add a feeling of calm, patience, and peace in a room where people who are ill have to sit and wait to be seen. It is my hope that both the patients and staff who pass through this waiting area will enjoy this collection of photographs while on display.

Mill Pond Medical Centre is located on the main street in the middle of town. If you find yourself in Alliston over the next few months, please visit the medical centre to take in these photographs on display. The medical centre does have limited opening hours. Please check the hours of operation in advance online before visiting to avoid disappointment.

This exhibition was made possible through a program offered by the South Simcoe Arts Council (SSAC) known as Arts in Our Community (AiOC). AiOC is a program that partners with local businesses and showcases artwork by local artists. The program is free for SSAC members to participate and the SSAC takes care of any artwork sales and inquiries. They also post artwork images from the exhibition on their website to increase exposure. To learn more, please visit: https://southsimcoeartscouncil.com/exhibits/aioc-details

I would like to thank and acknowledge the South Simcoe Arts Council and those directly involved with the Arts in our Community program. I appreciate all the hard work of those involved, who make this program possible. A special thank you to the Mill Pond Medical Centre for participating in the AiOC program by allowing the SSAC to use their wall space to showcase the work of local artists. I was greeted by the warm, positive, and friendly response of the staff on site and it was a pleasure to share and install my photographs in such a pleasant environment. 

For more information about SSAC, please visit their website at: https://southsimcoeartscouncil.com/

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