The Next 50 Years

Headwaters Arts Gallery is proud to present The Next 50 Years, a compelling new exhibition of oil paintings by Toronto-based landscape artist Piera Pugliese. This show invites reflection on the fragile beauty of the Southern Ontario landscape—and what we stand to lose.

Inspired by the urgent words of Sir David Attenborough, “The next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on this planet,” Pugliese’s collection captures forests, rivers, and skies that are not just picturesque, but essential to our identity as Canadians.

Working en plein air throughout Ontario in the summer, and developing her pieces into large-scale studio paintings in the winter, Pugliese seeks to preserve a sense of wonder in the natural world. Her dynamic brushwork and fearless use of colour create immersive environments that are both tranquil and emotionally charged.

“The land is changing,” says Pugliese. “We’re seeing it burn, flood, and dry up. Through these paintings, I want to celebrate what we still have—and remind us how urgent it is to protect it.”

Piera Pugliese is an accomplished artist with a deep connection to the Canadian landscape. A graduate of OCAD, she first fell in love with plein air painting in the Algoma Highlands. Recently she was awarded the 2024 Kleinburg Village Prize for En Plein Air Painting, adjudicated by Sarah Milroy, Chief Curator of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Ontario.