ABOUT
“…Syperek would reacquaint us with our very lives.” – Arts Atlantic
“She likes the … grey, wet Nova Scotian light which intensifies gentle tertiary colours and coats the scene with a kind of unifying metaphysical varnish.”- Carol Fraser, Program Notes, St. Mary’s University Art Gallery, Halifax, N.S.
Anna Syperek is a Nova Scotia artist (watercolours, oils and etchings) living in the 
Antigonish area on the shores of St.Georges Bay with her husband, a film-maker, and together they raised a family of three daughters. Born in England of Polish and English parents and raised in Oshawa, Ontario, Anna moved to Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 1971, when she was 20. In 1980 she graduated with a BFA in painting and printmaking from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
She then returned to Antigonish to set up her own etching/printmaking studio at her home overlooking St. George’s Bay. Well known for her etchings, watercolours and recent oils, Anna has also taught art part time at St. Francis Xavier University where she also set up a community printmaking workshop.
“The inspiration for Anna Syperek’s poetic realism comes from an intuitive rapport with her own surroundings, in and about the town and county of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. For Syperek, the everyday is significant and marvelous subject matter. Whether it be a pasture up the back road, a season in transition, or a toothbrush tossed in a glass, she creates a kind of mythology for what you might not have noticed before. Her faith in the inherent truth that lies in the natural, brings her to an honest and reverent rendering of light and atmosphere with gentle, true colour. Her careful details allow the wind to blow and light to filter through in such a way that the subject’s quality of being real is captured and our perceptions enhanced by the attention drawn to it. No matter how specific the subject might be, Syperek creates a wide berth for the chance human element to enter into her work and in so doing welcomes the viewer in at the same time.” – Beth Parker, Lyghtesome Gallery.
Anna and grand daughter Juniper at work.
Her work can be found in galleries in the Maritimes, Ontario, Quebec,and British Columbia, in the Canada Council Art Bank, the Nova Scotia Art Bank, Petro Canada, Via Rail, Canadian Airlines, and other corporate collections, and in numerous private collections across Canada, Europe and the United States.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION:
1969-1971 Fine Arts Program, Concentration on Drawing and Painting, York University, Toronto
1977-1980 B.F.A., Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, Nova Scotia
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2020 “Wild and Domestic”- 2 person show with Michael McEwing at Gallery 78, Fredericton, NB
2018 “Journey”- Commemorative Triptych for the Sisters of St. Martha, permanently on display at Martha Place, Antigonish, NS
2016 “The Earthly Paradise”, Studio 21, Halifax, N.S.
2015 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
2013 “I Am Looking Far Off Yonder” , St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS
2011 Moorings Gallery, Mahone Bay, N.S.
2011 J.Franklin Wright Gallery, Port Hawkesbury, N.S.
2010 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
2008 Studio 21, Halifax, N.S.
2007 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
2005 “Old New Scotland”- an International Traveling Exhibit:
- June, Inverness County Centre for the Arts, Inverness, N.S.,
- July & Aug., St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S.,
- Sept. Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye Scotland
- Oct. Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
- Nov. Arainn Shuaineirt, Strontian, Scotland
- Dec. Glen Urquhart Centre, near Inverness, Scotland
2005 Moorings Gallery, Mahone Bay, N.S.
2004 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
2003 Studio 21, Halifax, N.S.
2003 Lunenburg Art Gallery, Lunenburg, N.S.
2001 Downeast Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2000 ” Lay of the Light”, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S.
& City of Saint& City of Saint John Gallery, Saint John, N.B.
1997 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
1995 Lunenburg Art Gallery, Lunenburg, N.S.
1995 Studio 21, Halifax, N.S.
1992 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
1991 Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, Ontario
1991 St. Francis Xavier University Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
1991 Studio 21, Halifax, N.S.
1986 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
1986 Zwickers Gallery, Halifax, N.S.
1986 Market House, Annapolis Royal, N.S.
1984 St. Mary’s University Art Gallery, Halifax, N.S.
1983 Gallery 1889, Tatamagouche, N.S.
1982 Wallack’s Art Editions, Ottawa, Ontario
1981 Zwicker’s Gallery, Halifax, N.S.
1973/76/79 St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S.
1980/83 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
1975/78 Lyghtesome Gallery, Antigonish, N.S
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2014-2015 “Capture 2014- Nova Scotia Realism”, Dalhousie University, St. Francis Xavier University, Inverness County Centre for the Arts,
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Yarmouth Adjunct.
2012 “North by Northeast”- Nova Scotia Printmakers, The Ink Shop Printmaking Centre, Ithaca, NY, USA
2011 “Sharing the View” CBC Calendar for Feed Nova Scotia, Halifax
2011 “The Kingston Prize”, Canada’s Portrait Competition, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON
Shortlisted for the Portrait Prize
2009/2010 Nova Scotia Printmakers Association Annual Exhibition, Chase Gallery, Public Archives,Halifax, N.S.
2006 “Open Water”, Annual juried show, Canadian Society of Painters inWatercolour, Toronto, ON
2005 “Unlimited Potential”, Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, Homer Watson Gallery, Kitchener, Ontario
2004 “Celtic Colours”, Inverness County Centre for the Arts, Inverness, N.S.
2003 “Inksmithing”, Nova Scotia Printmakers Association Biannual Exhibition, St. F.X.U., N.S.
2002 “Open Water”, Annual show, Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, Halifax, N.S.
2002 “Women of the Art Bank”, Government House, Halifax, N.S.
2001 “Innovations on Paper”, Nova Scotia Printmakers Association, Acadia Art Gallery,Wolfville, N.S.
1995/97 “Far and Wide”, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, N.S.
1994/98 N.S. Printmakers Association Show (traveling)
1991 Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Collection Series – N.S. Printmakers Association, Halifax, N.S.
1990 “Botanical Illustrations Through the Ages” N.S. Museum, , Halifax, N.S.
1990 “Living Proof” – N.S.Printmakers Association, St. FX University Gallery, Antigonish, N.S.
1987 “Living Nature”, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Ontario; Painting used as poster for the exhibition.
1986 “Visual Facts”, Dalhousie Art Gallery, Halifax, N.S.
1986 “Living Nature”, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Ontario
1985/84/83 The 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Annual Print Exhibitions, The Willows Art Gallery, Canning, N.S.
1983 “Atlantic Print Exhibition”, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, N.S.
1983 “Nova Scotia Art Bank”, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, N.S.
1979 “Close to Home”, The Art Gallery, Mount St. Vincent U., Halifax, N.S.
COLLECTIONS:
The Canada Council Art Bank IBM University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia Art Bank Alcan Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Petro Canada Clarkson Gordon St. Mary’s University
VIA Rail Canadian Airlines International St. F. X. University
Canadiana Fund for Government Residences, Ottawa
ARTICLES AND REVIEWS:
2017 OldNewScotland- Slide Show on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O55G53CC50
2009 Chapter in “From Land and Sea”- Nova Scotia’s Contemporary Landscape Painters by Dee Appleby/Nimbus
2003 Visual Arts News, Summer Issue
1999 “Soft Ground”, Chapter on Anna Syperek in Studio Rally, Art and Craft of Nova Scotia, by Robin Metcalf,
Gooselane Editions, Fredericton, N.B.
1991 Review of Anna Syperek at Studio 21 by Gil McElroy, Arts Atlantic 41
1984 Review of Anna Syperek at St. Mary’s University Art Gallery, Halifax, N.S., by Kit Lort, Arts Atlantic 20.
1984 Article “In an English Country Garden” by Marilyn Vance, Visual Arts News, Halifax, N.S.
AWARDS:
2015 St. Francis Xavier Alumnae Award for artistic excellence
2005 Nova Scotia Arts Council Grant
2002 Wittnauer Award, ‘Best non-member work’ Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour’s annual Open Water Exhibition
2001/05 Canada Council for the Arts Travel Grant
1982 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant to travel to England to paint and study early English watercolourists.
CATALOGUES:
2005 “Old New Scotland” by Dr. Dan MacInnes for international traveling exhibit of the same name
2000 “The Lay of the Light” by Beth Parker for traveling exhibition of the same name
1984 “Anna Syperek” by Carol Fraser for exhibition at St. Mary’s U., Halifax, N.S.
COMMISSIONS:
2018 “Journey” special commission Sisters of St.Martha, Parkland Antigonish
2001 Commemorative Painting for the Sisters of Notre Dame, Mount St. Bernard, Antigonish, N.S.
1997 Commemorative Painting for the Sisters of St. Martha, Antigonish, N.S.
1989 Poster of a watercolour painting, Public Relations, St. F. X. University, Antigonish, N.S.
1988 Limited Edition Etching of St. F. X. Campus for Public Relations, St. F.X.U., Antigonish, N.S.
1987 Commemorative Limited Edition Etching of Acadia University to celebrate their 150th Anniversary. Wolfville, N.S.
Christmas Card Commissions: Sisters of St. Martha, the Honorable Allan J. MacEachen
LECTURES:
2014 Symposium on Realism, Dalhousie University
2005 “Art and Spirituality”, Bethany Centre, Antigonish, N.S.
2002 Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, Lecture, National Watercolour Day, N.S. Archives, Halifax.
1996 “Art and Ethics”, Ethics Lecture Series, Philosophy Dept., St. Francis Xavier Univ.
1984 “History of Landscape Painting, St. Mary’s University
Numerous presentations on printmaking to local school programs
MEDIA PROFILES:
1990 Off the Wall – interview and profile of the artist, ASN Television – aired September, 1990
MEMBERSHIPS:
Nova Scotia Printmakers Association- founding member, current president
Visual Arts Nova Scotia
Society of Antigonish Printmakers- founding member
PUBLICATIONS AND COVERS:
2011 CBC Radio Information Morning Calendar
2009“From Land and Sea: Nova Scotia’s Contemporary Landscape Artists” -Dee Appleby
1999 Soft Ground, Chapter on Anna Syperek in Studio Rally, Art and Craft of Nova Scotia, by Robin Metcalf,
Gooselane Editions, Fredericton, N.B.
2003 St. Francis Xavier University Prayer Book, 2nd printing 2004
2001 CD cover, Buddy MacMaster’s “Judique Flyer”
1991 Cover, Yankee Professor’s Guide to Life in Nova Scotia, by Philip Milner
1989 Cover & Illustrations for The History of Antigonish, by Patrick Walsh
1987 Living Nature, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Ontario; Painting used as poster for the exhibition.
1984 The Antigonish Review Portfolio
TEACHING AND COURSES:
Credit Courses: St. Francis Xavier University Art Department, Part-time Instructor: Drawing and Etching
Non-Credit Courses: St. Francis Xavier Continuing Education Program, drawing, painting and etching,
Guysborough District School Board Evening Course, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design Extension Program,
Labrador Creative Arts Festival, Goose Bay
Sunbury Shores Art and Nature Center, St. Andrews by the Sea, New Brunswick.
VIDEOS:
Wrote and co-starred with Susan Wakefield in a 20 minute educational video on intaglio printmaking
for the N.S. Printmakers Association and the N.S. Dept. of Education
While with an eye made quiet by the power of Harmony, and the deep power of joy,
We see into the life of things .….William Wordsworth