“I was actually sitting in that gondola, in that canal, singing ‘O sole mio’ three years ago,” says the Sherwood resident, holding his watercolour, Memories of Venice.

Originality also plays an important part in his work.

“Every time I do a painting I put my own feelings into it instead of copying what’s there. As you can see, my interests are all over the place,” says Hicks, pointing to paintings of flowers, buildings and trees.

He’s one of 37 artists who are featured in the show.

Like Hicks, Alice M. Chandler is inspired by her travels.

“I wanted to paint this ever since I was in Italy three years ago,” she says, pointing to Roses In Italy, a still-life of a stone wall covered with pink flowers, a wheel barrow and a staircase, all painted in the sun-drenched colours.

“There are a lot of steps in Italy so I wanted to get that detail in.”

Details are also important to student Deane McArthur.

“I like to paint things that show people or animals doing something,” says the Sherwood artist, pointing to her painting, The Peddler.

“I saw a picture of a guy with his cart and I decided that he should be selling wood, so I put some wood in his cart. He was standing in front of the forest so I added a trail. So now he’s a guy going to the market with his wood,” says McArthur, a Sherwood resident.

For artists like Kathy Stuart, classes are a chance to return to a passion she put aside 30 years ago when work got in the way.

 “I thought I lost the ability but it’s come back. I’m doing the fun stuff now. I just started doing watercolours, having never had the chance to do them while I was earning a living,” says Stuart, showing her collection of plein-air paintings. Plein-air painting represents an outdoor scene and executed with a spontaneous technique.

Besides organizing the show, Copleston is showing her work. She’s pushing the limits of paper in Tenby Buildings. It’s a collage.

Inspired by an acrylic painting that she did following a visit to Wales that she took with her sister, last fall, she’s excited that both pieces are in the show.

 “After taking an workshop with drawing instructor Alison Storey, I had a folder with all different colours of paper and magazines that I had cut up. So I made a collage,” she says.

“It was so much fun.”

If you are going:

What: P.E.I. Seniors College Group Art Show

When: Until June 5.

Where: Gallery@theGuild, Richmond Street, Charlottetown

Details: For information, call 902-674-4093 or mcopleston@gmail.com.

scole@theguardian.pe.ca