JNAAG celebrates First Friday with two new exhibitions showcasing powerful voices in art

Sarnia, ON – Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery (JNAAG) is proud to announce the opening of two exhibitions on First Friday, October 3, 2025: Larry Towell: Boundaries and John Williams: Debwewe Giizhik | (sound in the distance) from the sky.

Visitors are invited to view the exhibitions starting at 6:00 p.m. Guests can enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists behind these powerful exhibitions.

Larry Towell: Boundaries
October 3, 2025 – March 14, 2026

Raised in rural Lambton County, world-renowned photographer Larry Towell brings four decades of internationally acclaimed work home in this sweeping retrospective. Boundaries reveals Towell’s deeply humanist vision as he explores themes of land, landlessness, and survival through conflicts and everyday resilience.

The exhibition features selections from Towell’s most celebrated series, including The Mennonites, The World From My Front Porch, El Salvador, No Man’s Land, Afghanistan, and his most recent work, The History War, which documents Ukraine’s fight for independence. A listening room highlights his talents as a poet and musician, featuring original ballads, photo books, and recordings that expand his narrative approach beyond photography.

Towell’s voice will extend beyond the gallery walls through a free two-part artist talk series in October. On Thursday, October 9, he will guide visitors through Boundaries in Walking Through Stories, offering personal insight into the lives and landscapes captured in his work. Later, on Thursday, October 30, Towell presents Life, Land and Lens, a multimedia experience weaving together photography, music, video, and spoken word.

John Williams: Debwewe Giizhik | (sound in the distance) from the sky
September 5, 2025 – May 31, 2026

Ojibway artist John Williams presents his first solo exhibition in a public gallery with a striking mural installation in JNAAG’s lecture theatre. Working primarily in acrylic, Williams blends realism with the iconic Woodland style, exploring themes of daily life, cultural teachings, and spiritual symbolism. His work is both contemporary and
traditional, preserving Indigenous stories and perspectives through vivid visual language.

Visitors will have the chance to hear directly from the artist during In Conversation with John Williams on Saturday, October 25, where he will share his journey from sketching as a child to completing major community commissions, and reflect on the cultural and personal inspirations behind his mural.

All artist talks are free with registration. To register visit jnaag.ca or call the Gallery at 519-336-8127.

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Please contact:

Sonya Blazek
Curator / Supervisor, Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery
County of Lambton
519-336-8127 ext. 3220
Email Sonya Blazek