Some artists spend years refining one style or medium. Nina Silver has taken a different path, embracing creativity wherever it leads. Her practice spans fine art photography and painting, analogue collage, resin, and wearable art; with each body of work reflecting her curiosity and willingness to explore.
After a 31-year career as a secondary school teacher, Nina’s retirement has been anything but quiet. Alongside caring for her elderly parents, she enjoys cycling with her family, participates in fundraising rides for the Heart and Stroke and Baycrest Foundations, serves as Education Committee Director at the Women’s Art Association of Canada, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Association for Media Literacy.
Her work has been exhibited throughout the GTA, including the McMichael Canadian Art Community Gallery, AGO, CONTACT Photography Festival, Dignam Gallery, Super Wonder Gallery, and the Toronto Public Library.
Through every exhibition, workshop, and new creative pursuit, Nina demonstrates that an artistic practice doesn’t have to fit neatly into one category. Her work reflects a lifelong love of learning, experimenting, and connecting with others through art. She also keeps her growing community up to date on her latest exhibitions, artisan and fine art markets, and creative adventures through Instagram.
-Written by Karen Pe’er, Founder of B’Kef Collective
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Which ’hood are you in?
I live in the Old Village of Weston. It is a lovely neighbourhood, consisting of century-old, tree-lined streets, annual street sales, bustling Halloween evenings, a seasonal farmer’s market, and a community of many sharing and caring individuals. We are also blessed with many talented artists and Artscape Weston Common.
What do you do?
I am a visual artist who spends time creating many kinds of pieces for pleasure and sale. I participate in artisan markets, photo and painting exhibits, and take workshops from other artists to improve my craft. When I’m not working on my art, I tutor high school students with their English studies, I check in on my elderly parents who live in Long Term Care and Independent Living Homes, I serve on the Board of Directors with the Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC) and with The Association for Media Literacy (AML), I take regular fitness classes at the York West Active Living Centre, and I ride my bike. I also help to hang art shows and host social functions at WAAC.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on 3 series of art creations. One is a series of multi-media collages featuring old recipes and vintage catalogue models, incorporating various clippings from vintage magazines. The second series is a multi-media project using acrylic paint, mixed media gel sticks, and paper cut-outs of hand-drawn human figures. The third is my series of elderly couples painted with acrylics.
Where can we find your work?
In addition to seeing samples of my creations on my Instagram, I also have several online print-on-demand shops where my images can be purchased on products like mugs, phone cases, throw pillows, t-shirts, etc. One is here.
My original paintings and resin art can be found and purchased on my artist website. My wearable art can be seen and purchased here.
