Arts and Olives features artist Ron Vermeiren

Owner of Olive Branch on Main Karen Edgerton was clearly excited to have Ron Vermeiren on hand at her inaugural Arts and Olives May 11th event. Looking to feature a different artist every month, Edgerton, an artist herself, wants to provide opportunities for local painters to feature their work.

Kingsville artist Ron Vermeiren was hard at work at the front of the store as he performed live, creating a painting based on a photo of a former building found in Belle River.

Vermeiren also displayed his original piece commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII D-Day. Titled Storming Juno, Vermeiren’s painting depicts the courage of Canadian soldiers, including the Essex-Kent Scottish regiment, as they stormed France’s Juno Beach in 1944.

The original Storming Juno will be hung in Kingsville’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 188, while prints of Vermeiren’s piece will be sold for $50 each beginning this June as a fundraiser for Legions across the country.