Mark Elliott
Born in St. Catharines, Ontario in 1955, Mark Elliott took an early interest in the Visual and Decorative arts. Primarily interested in ceramics at an early age, it was after an Artist in the Schools program with local mixed media artists Mike Hewko and Ray Woodworth that his interest turned to the Visual Arts. Shortly after, Mark attended a spring session at the Elliot lake School of Art where he was influenced by numerous artists, including Toronto’s John Leonard and Calgary Junk Mail Artist, Don Mabie, (AKA Chuck Stake).
The following year, 1974, Mark enrolled in Visual Arts at York University, as a Studio Major and during the following four years came under the influence of painters Ronald Bloore, Claude Breeze and Paul Slogget, Conceptual Artist / Printmaker / Videographer, Vera Frenkel, and Art Historian, Roald Nasgaard. Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Studio Major in the Visual Arts in 1978. He received the Heinz Jordan Memorial Scholarship in his final year. These artistic influences, along with Mark’s interests in the written word, Popular Culture, Philosophy, Politics, and Art History have had a continuing impact on his work.
Emerging from Art School in 1978, Mark entered the Art Scene in the midst of the Punk Culture phenomenon. His early works reflect this influence fused with an interest in 1960’s British Pop Art, 1950’s Pre-Pop American Art, Dada and Constructivism. Later, after traveling Europe in the early 1980’s, these works increased in scale and depth, evolving into large-scale installation works. In the mid 1980’s, Mark’s work transformed again as he concentrated on wall hung mixed media constructions. These works were the culmination of an obsession with thick paint, a renewed interest in the work of Frank Stella and an attempt to find a manageable, yet meaningful scale.
In 1987, disillusioned with the “ Art Scene,” and struggling to make ends meet, Mark withdrew from it. During this period Mark concentrated on creating an award winning Picture Framing / Home Décor store. Initially called The Framer’s Workshop the store was later renamed Elliott & Company in 1992. In 2004, he and his wife, fellow artist Krys Kaczkan, were named runner up Canadian Decorative Accessory / Home Décor Retailer of the Year. The following year, in 2005 they were named the Overall Canadian Retailer of the Year. (This represents the highest honor in the Canadian Home Décor / Gift Industry). Mark continued to make art during this period, but chose not to exhibit.
In 2006, concerned for the health of downtown St. Catharines, and understanding the need for Cultural development within the community, Mark ran for City Council and was given a four year mandate by the City’s residents. Mark has worked tirelessly as a cultural advocate and promoter for the creation of a new Cultural Economy for the City of St. Catharines, and the Region of Niagara as a whole.
He has been directly involved in the development of plans to move the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts to Downtown St. Catharines, as well as the creation of the Niagara Centre for the Arts within the City’s core. His involvement in development of the Creative Cluster Master Plan for Downtown St. Catharines, envisions a social, economic and cultural renaissance to the City’s core. Mark currently sits on numerous Boards and Commissions, including the Downtown Development and Revitalization Committee of Council, The St. Catharines Culture Committee, the Public Art Advisory Committee of Council, the St. Catharines Museum Advisory Board, the Niagara Centre for the Arts Task Force, and The Rodman Hall Arts Centre Advisory Board. He has been President of the Niagara Artist’s Company (1983-1984) and on the Board of Directors (1986-1987), as well as on the Board of Directors of the St. Catharines Downtown Association (1997-1999). Mark’s recent involvement with the Cultural Community has led to his renewed interest in exhibiting his work.