Markvart is a Canadian painter based in the wilderness of the North Bruce Peninsula and the twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. She works with acrylic media to illuminate the intersection of the physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of human experience.

 

Inspired by the women in her family, Markvart has been making art since early childhood. She holds a BFA in Film Production from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and a Master of Environmental Studies and PhD in Planning from the University of Waterloo, Ontario. Her experiences in the fields of film production, academia, and nonprofit environmentalism continue to inform her painting practice.

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My work moves between abstract realism and still life to explore the intertwined notions of consciousness, identity, and change. My paintings often originate in dreams, where my subconscious offers imagery that becomes the foundation of my work. This internal source is informed by my interests in symbols, psychology, and relevant social and scientific theories. I begin with staged compositions and photography before painting with acrylic ink on birch panels. I allow the wood grain to emerge through layers of transparent ink, creating an interplay between material and image that has become a defining characteristic of my painterly practice.

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​SELECT EXHIBITIONS

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2026​​​​​

• International Guild of Realism Fall Salon Juried Exhibition (online group exhibit), Oct. 15-Dec. 20

• Federation of Canadian Artists Toronto, Canvas Chronicles (group exhibit), Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, Sept. 23-Oct. 21

• National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society Associate Exhibition (online group exhibit), Aug. 24-Aug. 24, 2027

• Chianciano Biennale, Chianciano Art Museum, Tuscany, Italy, Aug. 15-29

• Richeson75 International Art Competitions Still Life & Floral Exhibition (online group exhibit)

• Studio Texas International Competition (online group exhibit), July 17-July 17, 2027

• Federation of Canadian Artists Toronto, Fresh Paint  (group exhibit), Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, June 24-July 5

• National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society, Spring International Juried Exhibition (online group exhibit), May 25-July 25

• Society of Canadian Artists Open International Juried Exhibition (online group exhibit), Apr. 24-May 15

• Federation of Canadian Artists, Toronto Chapter, National Juried Exhibition (online group exhibit), Mar. 11-Apr. 10

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2025

• McMichael Gallery Juried Autumn Show (group exhibit), Nov. 7-9, Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada

• Federation of Canadian Artists, Limitless, National Juried Exhibition (online group exhibit), Oct. 1-31

• Society of Canadian Artists 57th Juried Exhibition (online group exhibit), Aug. 27-Sept. 30

• Society of Canadian Artists, Open International Juried Exhibition (online group exhibit), Apr. 1-June 15

• Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (group exhibit), July 11-13, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Joyner Gallery (solo exhibit) June, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

• Deep Water Gallery (solo exhibit, The Spring Shoreline), Feb. 27-Apr. 5, Wiarton, Ontario, Canada

• Propeller Art Gallery, Heart Mind Love (group exhibit), Jan. 22-Feb. 9, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

2024

• Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (group exhibit), July 12-14, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Jordan Art Gallery (guest artist exhibit), June 1 - 30, Jordan, Ontario, Canada

• Deep Water Gallery (group exhibit), Mar.9-Apr.30, Wiarton, Ontario, Canada

• Part Crowd Art Gallery (virtual group exhibit), December, Toronto, Ontario, Canada​​

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AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS​

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• 2026 - Top 100, Target Prize International Juried Painting Contest

• 2026 - Finalist, AcrylicWorks 13 International Juried Competition, Artists' Network

• 2026 - Finalist, Artists Magazine, AcrylicWorks 13: The Best of Acrylic, Annual Juried Competition

• 2026 - Finalist, International Artist Magazine, Favorite Subjects, Juried International Competition #153

• 2026 - First Prize, Federation of Canadian Artists, Toronto Chapter, Fresh Paint Exhibit, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto

• 2026 - Honourable Mention, Circle Foundation for the Arts, New York Group Show Contest

• 2025 - Honourable Mention, Federation of Canadian Artists, Limitless, Juried International Exhibit

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PUBLICATIONS

 

2026

• Artists Magazine, Best of Acrylic, Fall Special Issue

• International Artist Magazine, June/July Issue #169

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AFFILIATIONS

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• Elected Member, Society of Canadian Artists

• Exhibiting Member, Federation of Canadian Artists, Toronto

• Associate Member, International Guild of Realism

• Associate Member, National Oil & Acrylic Painter's Society