For nearly a month, the work of one of this community's most artistic couples has sat among an exhibit at the Maple Ridge Art Gallery.

Rik Watson and his partner Claire Louise Stephen - well known for their Art in the Swamp outdoor exhibit held annually each September at their home in Webster's Corners - are two of the artists showing their work at the Ensemble 2012 show at the gallery.

The exhibition opened with a reception on Nov. 24 and runs until this Thursday, Dec. 20.

In the lead-up to the opening, artists were asked to submit work that suggests an ensemble.

"This could be a shared theme, medium, or any series of works that suggests unity in its display," explained curator Barbara Duncan.

"The fact that the show includes all mediums tends to encourage a lot of variety and some unexpected and unusual items."

Duncan said the display format works well in the gallery inside The ACT. There are times at the gallery, she noted, where "smaller works can be. overwhelmed by the large volume of space."

Visitors to the display have a limited time to check out Watson's Birds and Disasters: the 2012 Calendar.

The silkscreened prints, made with the assistance of Stephen, were hand painted, numbered, and signed by Watson.

Watson said they are inspired by his love for birds, his fascination with the natural world, and the famous 19th-century print by Hokusai, "Great wave off the Coast of Kanagawa."

"I've always loved birds, ever since I was a young child," Watson said. "I've always drawn or painted birds and I was always intrigued by geography and earth sciences."

He also draws inspiration from, he said, "the forces of nature."

His prints pair 12 varieties of birds enveloped by weather events such as tsunamis and hailstorms.

Stephen's work in a corner of the gallery is a tribute to celebrated French actor and mime Marcel Marceau (1923-2007).

"Every piece of art is subject to interpretation," she said.

"It's all a game of charades and magic."

Stephen said her mother was "big into theatre" and that Marceau was a big influence on her life.

"I like the way he was able to express, without even saying a word," she said. "I find it intriguing and fascinating, and it's happy. It's nice to find a happy artist."

She and Watson have been contributors to the ensemble for a few years.

"It's a great little show," Stephen said. "We're always producing anyway."

"We always try to be part of the community," Watson added. "We've got our yearly Art in The Swamp but this is another outlet."

The gallery, at The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl., is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and selected evenings.

Many of these artworks offers visitors an affordable entry point to buying original work, Duncan said.

tlandreville@mrtimes.com