Ed Anderson to showcase gallery at Strathmore Library

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Throughout the month of March, the Strathmore Municipal Library will be showcasing works created by local artist, Ed Anderson.

Having been involved in creating for approximately the last 25 years, Anderson explained he was inspired to begin in his midlife by his mother, who had done the same before him.

“I mostly consider myself an animal portrait artist, and that includes wildlife and it includes domestic animals. The exhibition that I have set up at the library contains examples of African wildlife, American wildlife, and mostly domestic dogs,” he said. “I am a big fan of dog painting. My particular interest is in hunting dogs – so most of the dogs that I have in the exhibit are different kinds of hunting dogs, but I also have wildlife as well.”

Anderson added he began taking up painting with acrylics over a decade ago and has since switched his preferred medium to oils for their rich colours and slow drying times.

The gallery to be on display at the library will include 15 pieces. This collection, he noted, is a far cry from his first time exhibiting.

“I’ve displayed at a number of different galleries and had a number of different exhibitions over the years in addition to this particular display at the Strathmore Library,” he said. “For a couple of years now, I have had a semi-permanent display at the Vault Cultural Collective in Strathmore. The opportunity to exhibit at the library kind of came out of the work that I already had displayed at the Vault.”

Previously, Anderson’s work has appeared at an art show in Kansas, as well as online in the 2012 and 2014 Light Space and Time competitions.

In 2025, Anderson claimed a Best Animal Portrait award in the Portrait Society of Canada competition. The award-winning piece will be among those hosted at the Strathmore library.

“I definitely view (painting) as more than a hobby … one of the things that drove me to retire a little early was the desire to paint more and to paint full time,” he said. “I am very passionate about painting. I love painting and I hope to continue painting as long as I can pick up a paintbrush.”

The gallery was officially made freely available to the public as of March 1 and will remain on display until the end of the month.

More information about Anderson and his work is available through the Vault Cultural Collective, as well as his website, ceandersonart.com.