The 35 year old Mississauga artist took her place, front and centre, in the battle against the development of an old Mississauga Rd. property earlier this year. Kallis watched helplessly as 100 year old Norway Maple trees were cut down, and she believed it was important to portray her objections to what she felt was a desecration of nature.

Art that speaks
After two months of thought, Kallis finally came up with an abstract work of art that speaks out on the issue.  Her piece consists of two eight foot long pieces of bark stripped from one of the fallen trees, joined together by five steel spikes  wrapped in steel wire.  This unusual work won the sculpture division at Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) 21st annual Juried Show of Fine Arts. 
Kallis was one of 216 artists from Mississauga and the surrounding area to submit 402 paintings and sculptures to be scrutinized by the judges, local artists John Armstrong and Lila Lewis Irving.  From the entries, 63 paintings and 11 sculptures were deemed worthy of display in an exhibit at the Art Gallery of Mississauga (AGM) until Jan 16th. Selections were chosen based on design and composition, expression and experience with their medium.

Poetic Justice
"I wanted something to bring out the brutality of these trees being cut down,"  said Kallis, a fine art and art history student at Sheridan College.  "I struggled to find a way to share that feeling.  Once I came up with it, it took me less than a day to finish the work."

Winning the top prize was sort of poetic justice for Kallis.  "I'm really happy. I especially enjoy the iron of having this piece in the Mississauga Civic Centre.  It's come back to haunt the City."

Show winners
Meanwhile, Brampton's Denise Macharacek captured first prize in the fine art category for her untitled abstract acrylic on canvas painting.  Runners-up and honourable mentions were all Mississauga artists.

In fine art, Laura DeDecker came second for Fruit of Pretentiousness while Carmen Panico's Self Portrait was third.  Honourable mentions went to Frank Barry for High Stakes, Jorge Correa for The Couple's Walk and Sue Archibald for Horse.  Mary Bursey's Summer Foliage garnered a Juror's Award Honourable Mention.  Lisa Irvine's Echinacea won honourable mention in the sculpture competition.

Promising artists
AGM curator Stuart Reid said the growing reputation of VAM's juried show makes the event an excellent vehicle for promising artists.  VAM president Gerry de Jong said the number of entries was down lightly from last year. Meanwhile, visitors to the show are encourage to vote for their favourite work.  The winning artist will receive the AM's People's Choice Award at the end of the show. Admission is free.  Call 896-5088