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Daniel Elzinga, the second youngest of four children, was born in 1959 in Trenton, Ontario as Daniel Robert Elzinga. He was raised in Trenton.

In 1964, his family moved to North Bay, Ontario. After high school, he worked in, and later managed, his parents' restaurant in North Bay. In 1984, he moved to Kingston, Ontario, when he did a Bachelors of Fine Art, with a major in sculpture and printmaking, at Queen's University from 1984 to 1988. In the summer of 1987, he taught in the Artsperience program at Canadore College in North Bay. He earned a Bachelors of Education in art and English for intermediate and senior age groups, from 1988 to 1989, also from Queen's. In 1989, he returned to North Bay. There, he worked in graphic design, and in 2006, he became the interim director of White Water Gallery, and a graphic design instructor at Canadore College.

Daniel served on the board of White Water Gallery from 1989 to 1995 and in 2005.

Solo exhibitions of his work include: New Works (2006, W. K. P. Kennedy Gallery, North Bay, Ontario), Rooms 2 View (2004, White Water Gallery, North Bay, Ontario), Of things...Not Seen (1997, North Bay Area Museum, Ontario), A Day in the Life of An Artist (1996, Eco Home), Confirmed Commitment (1996, Project Prevention), Waterfront on Bucksaw Blade (1995, North Bay Chamber of Commerce), Value in Things (1995, Art in Public Places, Capitol Centre, North Bay, Ontario), Sculptural Installation (1994, Linton Shaw Art Gallery, Port Hope, Ontario), Personal Constructions (1994, Metropolis Studio, North Bay, Ontario), Beyond the Material (1993, North Bay Public Library, Ontario), Material Landscapes II (1993, Definitely Superior, Thunder Bay, Ontario), Material Landscapes I (1992, White Water Gallery), Untitled (1991, White Water Gallery), and Studies in Form (1988, Canadore College, North Bay, Ontario).

He received exhibition assistance grants from the Ontario Arts Council in 2004 and 2006.

Daniel's works are in private collections and the Agnes Etherington Art Centre (Queen's University, Kingston).

(The biographical information featured here was written in consultation with the artist in 2006.)

Interview:

Daniel Elzinga's earliest memory of being interested in art was making two-link chains with soap carving in the Artist in the Schools Program when he was in Grade 6.

As a child, he didn't feel inspired to be an artist, but he was aware of his talent nonetheless. His great grandfather was an amateur painter in Holland, and one of his works hangs in Daniel's house today.

Artists who have influenced him include Pablo Picasso and North Bay artist, Bruce St. Clair, who Daniel says was a very positive teacher because he set examples by doing. Teachers, in fact, have had a strong influence on his artistic development. Daniel says that "every art teacher" has impacted him, and in particular Ron Elston, who motivated him to take his art seriously.

Daniel finds inspiration in poetry and music, including the cover art of albums, recalling Blondie in particular.

(By Kati Kirke, based on an interview in summer, 2006).

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Daniel Elzinga
2006

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Daniel Elzinga, Sculpture in A Member's Edge (exhibition of mixed media work)
2000
White Water Gallery, North Bay, Ontario, Canada

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Daniel Elzinga, Artist statement (excerpt from 16-page booklet)
1997