Beyond The Surface: Finding the Authentic Voice
Starts: Sunday May 3, 2026
Meet The Artists: Sunday May 3, 2026 between 1 - 4pm
Where: Atelier Ironwood, 1425 Lakeshore Rd. NOTL (2nd fl.)
Featuring Artists: ARO, Angela Bontempo, Patricia Gagic
Ends: Sunday, May 31, 2026
We live in a world of profound duality—a landscape shaped by opposing ideas, contradictory views, and the constant tension of competing perspectives. Navigating this complexity can be a challenge, often leaving us searching for a sense of ground in the midst of the noise.
In this exhibition, Beyond the Surface explores the work of ARO, Angela Bontempo, and Patricia Gagic, three artists who have dared to look inward to find that ground. Their journeys have not been simple. Each has faced deep personal challenges, navigating the darkness of pain, fear, and sorrow. Yet, rather than being defined by these struggles, they have used them as a catalyst for a remarkable creative alchemy. By directing their most difficult experiences into their art, these creators have found a way to "unravel" the contradictions of the external world to reveal something far more permanent: their authentic selves. Their work is a celebration of the soul set free; it is a vindication of the original voice—one that is earned, not given.
In our current climate of global unrest, the works of ARO, Bontempo, and Gagic serve as a vital reminder. They suggest that when we take the time to move beyond the surface of our own lives to find our true center, we do not just find peace for ourselves—we begin to extend that peace to the world around us. By witnessing the liberation of these three voices, may we be reminded of the power of our own, and the possibility of a collective harmony that begins from within.
FEATURED ARTISTS
ARO (Caroline Bergeron) is a contemporary abstract painter whose work offers collectors a powerful synthesis of emotional authenticity, gestural intensity, and strong market momentum.
Angela Bontempo is a contemporary abstract painter whose emotionally charged works offer collectors a compelling balance of intuitive expression, material sophistication, and long-term potential.
Patricia Gagic is an internationally active contemporary artist whose practice spans painting, photography, writing, and expanded cultural production, grounded in a sustained inquiry into form, perception, consciousness, and human connection.
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LIMITED SEATS
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BOOK NOW! 〰️ LIMITED SEATS 〰️
To book your seat contact Margie Galita at margie@armstrongfac.com
ARTIST TALKS
Sunday May 17, 2026 1pm to 3pm
An artist talk with PATRICIA GAGIC
After decades of researching the intersection of science, math, and spirituality, Patricia Gagic experienced a profound creative explosion in October 2025 that resulted in the writing of over 150 books. This visionary artist is now ready to share the origins of this incredible phenomenon and the inception of her newly found movement. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a legacy in the making.
Sunday May 24, 2026 1pm to 3pm
An artist talk with ARO
Discover the relentless momentum of a global art career with ARO as she reveals the "endless marketing" and strategic discipline required to thrive on the world stage. From high-profile networking with figures like Sophie Grégoire Trudeau to managing international exhibitions in Paris and Dubai, she provides a candid masterclass in turning creative passion into a successful business. Join us to hear her inspiring story of how persistence, "taking stock," and a commitment to visual storytelling can truly change the world—one work at a time.
