In The Character of Place, acclaimed Ontario painter Marilyn Goslin explores the landscapes, streets, buildings and quiet corners that give a place its distinctive identity.

Working predominantly in oil on canvas, Goslin is known for her strong line, expressive colour, richly textured surfaces and sensitivity to light. Her subjects range widely, from urban streetscapes and architecture to gardens, forests and northern shorelines, yet each painting is united by an unmistakable sense of atmosphere and presence.

This exhibition brings together works inspired by Peterborough, the Kawarthas, Northumberland, Muskoka and beyond, revealing Goslin’s ability to find beauty and character in both the familiar and the unexpected. A snowy alleyway, a garden in Keene, a rain-soaked Toronto street or a quiet boat resting along a rocky shoreline become more than records of place; through Goslin’s eye, they become experiences of colour, memory and mood.

The exhibition also marks a welcome return to a region with which Goslin has longstanding ties. Over a career spanning more than three decades, her work has been exhibited throughout Ontario and beyond and is held in public, private and corporate collections, including the Art Gallery of Peterborough, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Lakefield College School and Hospice Peterborough.

The Character of Place invites us to look again at the environments around us and to consider not simply how a place looks, but how it feels.