Posted : July 7, 2018
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
One of the first artists with a studio in the dynamic Alton Mill Arts Centre, Mark Grice enjoys working out of the communal space. “When people come to visit, they are inspired by the environment,” says Mark. “The natural and historic sense of the building.”
The environment inspires Mark as well. In fact, he has completed numerous paintings on the Alton Mill property, including two paintings that depict a river visible from his studio window.
His studio is eclectic, with paint and equipment out on display. Visitors get to see works in all stages of completion. Friendly and dynamic, Mark welcomes visitors to his studio. Many return to take his popular painting classes on Sunday afternoons.
Mark studied illustration at Sheridan College before moving to a career training horses. An expert horseman, Mark operated his own horse training and showing facility, while freelancing as an illustrator, designer and fine artist on the side.
Art has always been a part of Mark’s life, and when he retired, he returned to painting full time. He enjoys the variety of his work. “One day, I’ll be painting an abstract work for a client’s dining room, and the next, I’m painting a piece at a charity fundraising gala to be auctioned off at the end of the night,” Mark says.
As well as painting, Mark is still involved with horses and he is an actor on stage and on-screen. His one-hour television show, “Mark Grice The Artist” airs on Rogers cable and is also available online.
Want to visit Mark’s studio at the Alton Mill Arts Centre? Why not make a day of it! Immerse yourself in the beauty of the heritage building and natural surroundings, enjoy a hike in the woods and savour a meal at the café.
