Celebrating Sunsets & Summer

Spotlight: Elena Dinissuk & Celina Melo

This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Lakeshore Art Trail, and we will feature memorable spotlight stories in our newsletter every month.

Our goal is to share the rich history and stories of our community of artists and people who continue making the Lakeshore Art Trail so special every year.

For July, we celebrate Sunset & Summer, as depicted in images by our artistic community.

We are honoured to spotlight two incredible artists: Elena Dinissuk and Celina Melo, who centre their work on the beauty and mystique of natural Canadian landscapes and summer sunsets.

Elena Dinissuk

Island

Inspired by the lakes, forests, and rugged beauty of Muskoka, Elena transforms the Canadian landscape into vibrant semi-abstract impressions filled with movement, colour, and light. Her paintings invite us to experience nature not only as we see it, but as we feel it.

As Elena shares:

"I invite viewers to explore my work and see their own realities reflected in my abstract pieces. Landscapes that I see are transformed in my mind, and brought to life on canvas."

Working with acrylics, palette knives, and large bristle brushes, Elena layers rich textures and transparent colour to create rhythm, depth, and expressive movement. Whether capturing the golden glow of a summer sunset over a lake or the serenity of a forest landscape, her work celebrates the joy and wonder found in nature.

Drift of Light

Elena believes that painting abstractly is an instinctive journey of discovery:

"For me, painting abstractly is an instinctive process that uncovers wonders: from marine depths and forest wanderings to fantasy scenes."

Since 2018, Elena has exhibited in group and juried exhibitions across Ontario.

Celina Melo

Tiny Springs

"The combination of summer and sunsets is just pure magic."

Celina draws inspiration from evenings spent at her Georgian Bay cottage with her family. Through luminous layers of colour and pouring medium, working in acrylic and mixed media, she recreates the shimmering glow of sunsets reflected across the water, inviting viewers to experience the same sense of peace and wonder she feels in those fleeting moments.

The Mini Collection

As Celina shares:

"This transparent, vibrant glow and shimmer is what I aim to capture every time I create one of my paintings."

Celina Melo has been exhibiting her artwork since 2016. She has been the Chairperson of the Lakeshore Art Trail since 2020.

Looking Ahead to our 25th Anniversary!

As a valued part of our community, we warmly invite you to

save the date and join us in celebrating the

25th Anniversary of

The Lakeshore Art Trail on

October 17 & 18, 2026

at the Small Arms Inspection Building in Mississauga.

Be sure to attend our event and visit

Elena Dinissuk and Celina Melo’s booths to meet them in person, hear more of their stories, and experience their wonderful artwork, alongside an exceptional lineup of many more local fine artists.

Join us for this special milestone event:

• Discover inspiring art

• Meet the artists behind the work

• Celebrate creativity, community, and connection

Follow us on Instagram @lakeshorearttrail for more artist stories,

event updates, and behind-the-scenes moments.

We look forward to welcoming you on the Trail!

With gratitude,

The Lakeshore Art Trail Committee

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