Byron Harrison was only finding his feet as an artist, but he left a lasting impression on Orillia’s arts community.
Now he will be commemorated at a local gallery.
Stephanie Stanton is calling it A Moment to Remember Byron. On Saturday, during an event from 1 to 3 p.m., she will mount a plaque on the wall – “Byron’s Wall” – at her aRt & HOME Studio on Peter Street South.
It’s her way of remembering Harrison, who died suddenly on Oct. 24, 2017.
“I would consider him to be an up-and-coming artist in the Orillia arts scene,” Stanton said, noting Harrison was also part of the cast of Mariposa Arts Theatre’s production of Chicago. “He had such an incredible energy about him, such a quirky sense of humour.”
Stanton rents wall space in her gallery to other artists, and Harrison’s work had been on display from May to September of last year. Some of that art will again adorn the wall for Saturday’s event.
While it’s been a year since Harrison’s death, it feels like yesterday to Stanton.
“Byron really holds a very special place in my heart. I think about him all the time. He just had a really big impact on me as an artist,” she said. “I know there are others in the community who are still mourning his loss. I feel like he’s still so much a part of our community.
“Despite our small time we had together, he left a really warm, exciting and creative impression on many of our souls.”
The plaque dedication will take place at 1:30 p.m.
