08/07/2026
Last night was a very special evening for me as I opened my exhibition, Held in Balance, at the https://www.facebook.com/RedBrickCommon? Stony Plain.
The last time I had an opening night at this wonderful venue, my youngest daughter, Katie was just six months old. That was 23 years ago. To find myself standing in that same gallery again, all these years later, surrounded by my paintings and by so many wonderful people, was a moment I found myself quietly reflecting on.
So much can happen in 23 years. Children grow, life changes, and an artist continues to paint, evolve, and find new ways of expressing what he sees and feels. Returning to this gallery after all this time felt like a small piece of that journey coming full circle.
Last night exceeded my expectations. The exhibition was extremely well attended, and the room carried a vibrancy and energy that I had not anticipated but was deeply appreciative of. Seeing people moving through the gallery, talking about the work, discovering paintings that spoke to them, and reconnecting with those who have collected my work over the years made the evening particularly meaningful.
Our wonderful hosts, Fiona and Brooklyn, were gracious and incredibly accommodating. They created such a welcoming environment for the many collectors who came to see the exhibition, as well as for those discovering my work for the first time.
And to everyone who made the journey to Stony Plain, thank you. Whether you came from nearby or made a longer trip, your presence was genuinely appreciated. An opening is never really about the artist alone; it is about the people who take the time to come, to look, to ask questions, to share a conversation, and to connect with the work.
Held in Balance will remain at the Red Brick Common Gallery until October 27, so there is still plenty of time to experience the exhibition in person.
I will also be preparing a catalogue of the exhibition, which will be available on my website, https://www.stevemitts.com/ very soon.