Have you ever noticed the two beautiful signs on Highway 12 as you drive through Brechin or the shield paintings that you see over the bridges on the canals in Lagoon City and wonder who created them and who the artist is?  We are pleased to introduce you to a woman that has quite the history in Brechin and has given back to her community in so many ways.  Suzan says, “A healthy community supports it’s artists but I believe it’s important for the artist to reciprocate.”

Suzan Bertrand has had a life-long career in commercial art whose work has been exhibited at public art installations and she even tried her hand at a metal sculpture design with a finished sculpture placed at the Ramara Industrial Park Garden on Highway 12. We are so thankful for all of Suzan’s contributions and were pleased to ask her a few questions and include her in our Community Spotlight.

When did you move to Lagoon City and what attracted you to the area?

My husband and I moved here in 2004. My parents had moved here in 2002. We visited them so often that we decided to move here. It’s a beautiful, warm-hearted community.

Are you formally trained in fine arts and when did you first realize you had a hidden talent?

Yes, I am formally trained as an artist and I am a certified illustrator. I am also self- trained in computer graphics.

How have you given back to the community since 2004?

I have served on the Brechin and Beyond Committee until they became a committee of council, then I volunteered my artistic services to them. I developed the logo that you see on the entry and exit signs, designed some of the banners that hang along highway 12, submitted drawings for council’s approval, designed the industrial park sign and garden, made a painting for a mural that was to go on the façade of the St. Andrews Hall (that project was cancelled) and the shield paintings that you see over the bridges on the canals for the Parks and Waterways Commission.  I also created another mural for a barn in downtown Brechin but the structure was sold and demolished before the mural could go up. I have helped make the baskets and wreaths for Hwy 12 at Christmas time and volunteered to water the bike baskets in the summer. I also served the Brechin Community Center Committee and designed the Dog Park Sign. I did all the art needed for the Brechin Scarecrow Festival and I also provided all of the art for the Lumberjack Competitions. I also wrote and illustrated a monthly article for the Ramara Chronicle.

Why do you think it’s important to give back to a community?

To enable a community to prosper, it’s important for her citizens to take the initiative, to make creative progress and avoid stagnation. It stimulates the economy and boosts a sense of pride.

We understand that you curated the art gallery in Lagoon City. What made you decide to do this and why? 

I received a proposal from the property owners offering a terrific deal on the lease. I passed along my good fortune to the artistic community, not taking commission from their sales. The lease expired when the restaurant next door wanted to expand into the gallery space. Another affordable space could not be found so the gallery closed. I’ve had the notion to form an artist co-op studio where we could encourage, inspire and offer constructive critique to each other but affordable space and the pandemic are currently the stumbling blocks to those ideas.

What inspired you to create the signs along Highway 12 and why did you choose to donate them?

Upon request, I presented the Brechin & Beyond Committee with four different choices of a logo. The bird over the fields won their approval and they used it in many applications including the banners and the signs.

What is your favourite thing to create as an artist?

I like to paint big canvases.

What does Suzan like to do in her free time?

This winter my husband and I have constructed a feral cat shelter. We feed and shelter them. People have donated straw, a warming watering dish and food. They are community cats bringing the community together.

If you had any words of encouragement or advice for someone thinking of volunteering or donating their time to the community, what would they be?

Do your research when proposing a project to council. Volunteering in your community endows a person with a sense of productive accomplishment and it broadens your knowledge of the place where you live. You’ll meet the nicest people and are sure to make new friends.

To view Suzan’s artwork and what she is working on next, we encourage you to follow her on facebook at:  suzanbertrandart.