This month, the work of artist Vince Kanarek is featured at the Strathmore Municipal Library’s exhibit space.

The Strathmore area artist’s exhibit is called ‘Animal Spirit Guides.’

Viewing each piece, visitors to the gallery feel like they are caught in the moment with the animal depicted in Kanarek’s works. The artist captures the eye-to-eye moment between the human and animal, in his works.

“Sometimes you have a moment with an animal. You see this majestic moose, or you see this crazy eagle flying above you. You notice that wing span. You might make eye contact with that animal too,” he said.

“It’s like a moment you share. A lot of time you regard them as less than people, but just because they don’t speak our language doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings,” he said.

“That moment you make a connection with an animal, or you experience a moment with them is what I’m conveying in those pieces,” said Kanarek.

“I was inspired one day. I’m a nature nut and I’ve worked at the Calgary Zoo, and I spent time on the farm as a kid, so I’ve always respected animals. I just felt this need to do a piece,” he said.

Kanarek is also a graduate of the Alberta College of Arts and Design with a Degree in Visual Communication, majoring in Character Illustration.

The majority of exhibits in library gallery space run for one month. Some artists also host a ‘Meet The Artist’ event at the facility. For more information on the Featured Artists visit strthmorelibrary.ca/exhibits.