Joanne ApSimon brings artistry to WMP grandstand

by Melissa Keith

The on-track experience at Woodbine Mohawk Park keeps getting more colorful during the Campbellville, ON landmark’s 60th anniversary year. On May 20, Fireworks and Family Fun Night will return for the first time since 2019. A LED lighting system by Musco Lighting recently debuted, replacing floodlights and allowing for an innovative light show after race 7 on Friday and Saturday nights.

Joanne ApSimon is adding to the celebratory atmosphere with her own brand of equine art. The Guelph, ON artist said she already attends Mohawk regularly, as a fan and bettor.

Watching Bulldog Hanover up close at Woodbine Mohawk Park last season motivated her to create his portrait, combining airbrush, acrylic and oil painting techniques.

“He’s just beautiful and I really wanted to get the spirit in his eyes,” ApSimon said. “He has such a presence… and so friendly.”

The finished portrait led to an invitation for ApSimon.

“I brought in my Bulldog Hanover painting and just walked around with it [at WMP] on a Saturday night,” she said. “One manager said, ‘That’s beautiful, I need that’… I went in and talked to some of the other managers and then they e-mailed. Word got around fast and [WMP general manager] Heather Flaherty contacted me. She said, ‘Your timing is perfect. We need a mural.’”

At deadline, ApSimon’s design for the mural was just awaiting Flaherty’s go-ahead to proceed.

“It’s pending her approval,” ApSimon said. “She so far likes it. I’m going to finalize details with Heather this week [May 11].”

ApSimon said she is hoping to be able to paint during hours when WMP customers can see her working on the mural, perhaps when on the way to track photographer Clive Cohen’s office, located along the same grandstand wall.

“I’m going to figure out that detail,” she said. “I’d like it so that people are able to watch, because that’s fun. What I will [also] do is document the process, time-lapsed [for later online viewing].”

ApSimon’s background includes an extensive education in illustration and graphic design, coupled with years of creating original artwork, originally in Europe and later in Canada, where she raised her three children. The harness racing connection began in a past relationship; she said she helped with looking after the horses.

“We went to different tracks… I learned a lot and was able to assimilate that knowledge,” she said. “My children’s grandfather is Bill Megens… They have horses named after them, especially Bianca, my youngest.”

Now 89, Megens is one of the few active drivers to have competed in every decade since Mohawk opened on April 26, 1963. He is also the oldest reinsman to win a race in Canada, having done so with homebred trotter Opas Faith in her maiden victory on Sept. 5, 2021 at Flamboro Downs.

Although she is no longer involved as a caretaker, ApSimon’s appreciation for standardbreds is currently becoming very visible at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Her proposed mural is part of Flaherty’s efforts to “really spruce up the track for the season… to commemorate 60 years of racing” at Mohawk.

Flaherty also approved three shows of ApSimon’s equine artwork in the building’s “community corner.” The first took place in April; two others are scheduled for upcoming Saturday nights, June 3 and Aug. 26.

“The first [show], I had more Bulldog [Hanover]… I painted Somebeachsomewhere and right now I’m just developing my list of ‘who are the greats of Mohawk?’” ApSimon said, adding that she is about to begin work on a Cam Fella portrait. “I’m working pretty much solid right now for the June 3 [show].”

Racegoers are welcomed to check out her equine artwork, which will be for sale and talk horses. She is currently accepting commissions for custom equine portraits at varying price points.

ApSimon added that she would like to hear from other racing fans about their favorite Mohawk trotters and pacers of all eras, so she can try to include their portraits in her upcoming WMP exhibits. Suggestions can be added in response to this article, by e-mail to HRU or on HRU Facebook/Twitter, or texted to ApSimon at (226) 203-1116.