James Kerr Arts & Culture Wall Of Fame

James Kerr, an artist and art educator for over 20 years, has taught at Niagara Falls Art Gallery, the
Pumphouse, Rodman Hall, Rose City Seniors Centre, and Pelham Art Club. He founded and participates in “Art
by the Lighthouse” in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham’s Annual Art Show and Sale, and is Past President of the
Parkway Artists Guild.
Originally from Toronto, Kerr moved to the Niagara Region over 30 years ago. Jim’s parents encouraged him in
his artistic endeavours and gave him his first paint set when he was 11.
Jim was first a commercial artist. He is skilled in pencil, pen and ink, and acrylic, but he is most passionate
about watercolour. He loves teaching and shares his expertise in these media.
A key figure in Niagara’s local arts scene, Jim Kerr was asked to create a pen-and-ink drawing of the historic
Decew House in Thorold to commemorate the role it played in the war, as a destination of Laura Secord in her
June 1813 journey to warn of an American attack. The drawing was used to produce a postcard of the site
during celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812.
While Kerr works in a range of media, his pieces are most notable for their vibrant colours and often depict
the region’s beautiful landscapes.
His work is in private and corporate collections, and has been exhibited throughout Ontario – including the
Jordan Art Gallery, the Pumphouse Arts Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Artists’ Loft in Niagara-on-theLake,
The Log Cabin in Fonthill, and the Posh Gallery in Port Carling. Jim has been given a lifetime membership
to the Parkway Artists Guild.