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Lesley Peterson is a Toronto-based writer specializing in travel, art, culture, history and legendary landscapes. She has a degree in Art History from the University of Manitoba and is a member of NATJA (North American Travel Journalists Association). Catch her on Twitter as @culturetripper or contact her at lesley@culturetripper.com. All content by Lesley Peterson copyright © 2009 - Until the Present. All photos by Lesley Peterson except where other credit noted.
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A walk home in Winnipeg
After too many years, I recently made a trip home to Winnipeg. In between sorting boxes of my childhood books and looking at old photos with my mother and godmother, I went out with my sister and revisited old haunts. Walking home from Bar Italia on Corydon Avenue one evening, I took these photos. Being [...]
15.05.2013 · Filled under: Canada, Legendary Landscapes · Tags: CITIES, Gardens, road trip! · 7 Comments »
ArtSmart Roundtable: the visual enigmas of René Magritte
Time for ArtSmart Roundtable, a group of art history-focused travel bloggers that post each month on a particular theme. This month it’s an artist you should look for in your travels. Scroll to the end for links to my colleagues’ unique blogs and perspectives. Green apples, bowler hats, clouds–the imagery of Belgian Surrealist painter René Magritte (1898-1967) is familiar [...]
06.05.2013 · Filled under: Art, ArtSmart Roundtable, Belgium, Europe · Tags: Artists, museums · 7 Comments »
Rijksmuseum reopens! Amsterdam
Is the Rijksmuseum now the best museum in the world? I wondered as I entered the Netherlands’ national museum for the invitation-only press preview earlier this month. Years ago, when I first visited the Rijksmuseum as an art history student, I remember floorboards creaking as I approached Rembrandt’s iconic Night Watch. The Dutch Masters were [...]
12.04.2013 · Filled under: Architecture, Art, Europe, Netherlands · Tags: Holland, museums · 9 Comments »
Postcard from Europe: Rijksmuseum countdown, Amsterdam
Walking through Amsterdam’s Museumplein tonight after a gala candlelit dinner at the Concertgebouw, I noticed the Rijksmuseum is keeping its own ‘night watch’ countdown until the museum’s official reopening to the public on April 13. The building looks spectacular from the exterior and I can’t wait to see the interior tomorrow at the press preview. [...]
03.04.2013 · Filled under: Architecture, Art, Europe, Netherlands · Tags: Holland, museums · 5 Comments »
Tianguis Turistico 2013, Puebla, Mexico
The colour and diversity of Mexico was on fabulous display during Tianguis Turistico 2013 held in Puebla, Mexico, March 17-20. It was the first time Mexico’s principal tourism marketplace has ever been held in a colonial city. Famous for its culinary heritage and UNESCO World Heritage colonial core, the city of Puebla was a gracious host, [...]
30.03.2013 · Filled under: Festivals & Events, Legendary Landscapes, Mexico · Tags: CITIES · 3 Comments »
ArtSmart Roundtable: mosaics of the Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna
Time for the ArtSmart Roundtable, a fun and fabulous group of bloggers sharing the double passion of travel and art. Each month, members publish on a particular topic; this month it’s Art Worth Traveling For. Be sure to scroll down for links to my colleagues’ unique perspectives. Now, the brilliant 6th century mosaics of San [...]
04.03.2013 · Filled under: Architecture, Art, ArtSmart Roundtable, Europe, Italy, Spirituality · Tags: Antiquity, Italy · 16 Comments »
Art glass inspired by nature in St. Pete
Fluid and luminous, art glass seems naturally inspired by ocean waves, sunsets and seashells. St. Petersburg, Florida, is a hotbed of hot glass. Its growing community of glass artists and glass blowing studios offers many opportunities to explore this magical art form. And much of the work is inspired by the area’s natural beauty. [...]
16.02.2013 · Filled under: Art, Destination Guides · Tags: Artists, Beaches, Florida · 10 Comments »
ArtSmart Roundtable: Iconography of the Buddha
This month’s ArtSmart Roundtable topic is Iconography. Inspired by a new Buddhist temple going up in my neighborhood, I chose to do some research on iconography of the Buddha. When I told a friend, her face lit up and she exclaimed, “Oh, I love Buddha, he’s so cute!” Cute? Surely she wasn’t talking about the great [...]
High style at the Bata Shoe Museum
Time for ArtSmart Roundtable, a group of travel bloggers sharing a passion for art and cultural destinations. This month’s topic is the Best Museum You’ve Never Heard Of. For me that would be the delightful Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. I came of age in Bata shoes. Indigo suede ankle boots with rust stars on the ankles [...]
07.01.2013 · Filled under: Architecture, ArtSmart Roundtable, Canada, Lefthandedness · Tags: museums, TORONTO · 11 Comments »
Let it snow! Wintery works by Canadian artists
Postcard-pretty weather over the holidays inspired this collection of snow paintings by Canadian artists. Here are a few of my favorites, past and present: Maud Lewis (1903-1970), Digby County, Nova Scotia. Despite her disabilities and the primitive conditions in the 4.1 x 3.8 m dwelling she shared with her husband Everett, Maud’s folk art [...]
06.01.2013 · Filled under: Art, Canada, Legendary Landscapes · Tags: Artists, Christmas · 5 Comments »