Melissa Shaw, Museum Assistant, Collingwood Museum, displays a very special piece of that town’s history. Details inside...
Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada.
November 2013
MuSEEuM
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
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MuSEEuM is published by Don Beaulieu of Springwater Township. Your input, submissions and advertising support are appreciated. Don can be contacted at:
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Feature articles
Collingwood Museum
Varied and changing exhibits
6
Kim Dorland: You Are Here
At the McMichael Canadian Collection 3 5 12 13 14 15 16 17 29 31
October 2013 • Page 2
20
Barrie Art Club; permanent collection New Deputy Minister Scopify ROM; The latest technology to explore exhibits Internment Camps in Kent County Overview of Chatham-Kent Museum Notes from the Ontario Museum Association; Speech from the throne “Open Government” launched New museum for Plympton-Wyoming; historical society making progress Wellington County Museum and Archives; Harness brass, barn lanterns and license plates Rememberance Day event all month at Canadian War Museum in Ottawa Grey Roots Museum and Archives; Fall lecture series underway Christmas at Ridge House Museum in Ridgetown MuSEEuM Notes; Comments from publisher Don Beaulieu Sample advertisement sizes for businesses interested in supporting MuSEEuM
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Barrie Art Club permanent collection:
Publisher’s favourite
I’ve been a member of the Barrie Art Club on and off for a couple of decades, as other endeavours allowed the time and energy to be involved. The permanent collection at the club has always been a highlight, but it’s not often promoted or even viewed, as it is hanging on panels one needs to swing open in order to view the works. This piece pictured below is the product of a collage demon-
stration at the club in 1965 by John (Jack) Martin. He was demonstrating the use of Liquitex products; the first waterbased acrylic paints in 1955. This piece is titled Black and White, although there are warm tones from the press-board substrate appearing through the thinnest layers of the media. It wasn’t until after I photographed the painting for this article that I realized what ap-
October 2013 • Page 3
By Don Beaulieu, publisher of MuSEEuM
pealed to me about this image: I like maps, satellite images and such. This looks like an image of farmland, with fields, various crops, laneways, perhaps forest and rivers. THAT’S why it appeals to me. I have no idea if there was any purpose or repesentation intended; likely it is just patches showing techniques and tools. From what I have been able to research, this abstract is not typical of Martin’s work. I had better results Googling ‘Jack’ rather than ‘John’; there is the very popular Victorian era John Martin (July 1780–February 1854), characterized as an English romantic painter. It is interesting to note a couple of publications he was instrumental in producing: A Guide to Waterloo County (early 1960s) and in 1963, Paths of History in Perth and Huron, written by Anthony L. Kearley. Martin was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, but his home was in Ayr, Ontario. His list of accomplishments is long and his contributions to the art world are highly respected.
Lamentations of Jeremiah Mixed media on paper board. 29.75 x 21.75 inches. 1958 Canadian Tired; Team-Mates 6.8 x 8 inches. 1947
Ezikiel Oil on canvas 20 x 24 inches.1954
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 4
Farm View extends a large
THANK YOU
Monthly farm newspaper
to all of our local museums for preserving farming heritage, tools, buildings and legacies!
Connect with the farm community! www.farmviewonline.com Publisher, John Beischer
Telephone: 705-722-0138 • 1-800-467-7804 Facsimile: 705-722-6036 • 1-800-467-7808
Email: farmview@on.aibn.com
5266 Thirtieth Sideroad, Utopia, Ontario L0M 1T0
Delivered to farms in the District of Muskoka, Simcoe County, Dufferin County, York Region, Peel Region & neighbouring communities.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
New Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service. Effective November 4, 2013, Colleen Swords, formerly Associate Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, became Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage. Outgoing Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage Daniel Jean became Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In Ottawa, Ms. Swords has held various positions including Legal Adviser, Director of the Economic and Trade Law Division, Deputy Legal Adviser and Legal Officer responsible for human rights, humanitarian law, and peace and security issues. Prior to joining DFAIT, she worked in a legal aid clinic in Toronto. A graduate of Brock University, Osgoode Hall Law School and the Europa Institute of the University of Amsterdam, she is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
November 2013 • Page 5
The latest hi-tech way to explore artifacts at the Royal Ontario Museum
ScopifyROM is the world's first Scopify™ smartphone application. It puts digital tools similar to those used by curators and scientists into your hands. Interact with selected museum objects in ways never before possible as you investigate, make discoveries and reveal the larger story each object represents: a story about life, history, or the planet. Uncover exclusive ROM curatorial secrets by using your smartphone* as a series of “scopes”: • Add skin to skeletons and see what they looked like when alive • Decipher various codes and languages • Travel high in the air to examine objects from a unique perspective • Restore aged objects to their original state • See an object where it was discovered. Suitable for both adults and families, ScopifyROM offers over a dozen objects to investigate. These can be found in the ROM’s Ancient Cultures, Biodiversity, Fossils & Evolution, Earth & Space, and Canada collections.
Play games
Scopifying the ROM lets you unlock five games: Footprints: in this time-sensitive, Mix ‘n Match memory style game, users are required to match up footprints to animals as quickly as possible. In
a unique ScopifyROM twist, a right or wrong answer leads to a pop-up with more information about the animal they have selected. Bat Hunt: an arcade-style game where players let their device come alive in order to fly and steer one of three bats, using echolocation to avoid obstacles and catch prey. Other games are Coin Conundrum, Crossbow Defender, and Dino Dig. It’s recommended to download and install ScopifyROM before visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, but it can be done there. For further information visit: www.rom.on.ca/en/education/online-activities/scopifyrom
*On iOS, ScopifyROM is compatible with the iPhone 4 and later, iPod Touch (4th generation) and later, as well as iPad 2 and 3 and iPad mini. On Android™, the application will run on most high-end newer devices.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 6
Collingwood Museum
...curiosities to poignant artifacts
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Museum has a history of its own
Museums began in Renaissance Europe as cabinets of curiosities in private homes. In similar fashion, the Collingwood Museum had its beginnings as a treasure-trove of privately held curiosities, collectively known as the Huron Institute, which was founded the early 1900s. The first location of the Institute was in the basement of the original town library. A fire in 1963 resulted in many of the artifacts suffering water damage. Some original artifacts of the Institute continue to be displayed in the current museum. The Collingwood Museum is housed in a reproduction of the Collingwood Railway station. It was built in 1998, based on the plans for the original station which was built in 1873. The original building housed the museum for a number of years before it was replaced by the current structure. There is a sequence of photographs on display showing the original building before and after a fire (1932), demolition of the remaining original structure (deemed unsafe) and rebuilding of the current facility. Some modifications were made, but overall, the 1998 building is based on the original plans which are held in the National Archives. Areas which were
November 2013 • Page 7
originally large roof canopies are now inside gallery areas. Never stagnant, the museum continues to change and expand its exhibits. Museum Assistant Melissa Shaw is looking forward to a revitalization of the galleries over the next few years. Aging display cases will be replaced. Some of these came from the Royal Ontario Museum in the 1960s. New cases will allow improved displays and perhaps storage.One exciting part of the plans is the creation of volunteer workspaces as well as areas for staff to develop exhibits and conserve artifacts. A very wide display case (8–9 feet) which began its life in a jewelery store in town, has been moved to the fire station where it will house artifacts from the museum collections and the Collingwood Fire Department.
Piece of military past survives
When MuSEEuM contacted the Collingwood Museum about this article, the question was posed to Shaw “What is your favourite artifact?”. That is always a tough question for museum staff and volunteers to answer; there are so many interesting items at hand. Pictured on the front page of this issue is a panel showing Colling-
Continued next page...
Pictured here are a couple items included in the the Huron Institute Collection: A handmade model ship, and sawsh snout (with 53 “teeth”) reportedly caught off the coast of Australia. Continued next page...
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 8
wood area men who were members of the 157th Battalion “A” Company. These men were from communities such as Glen Huron, Creemore, Stayner, Nottawa and others. This group was involved in the clearing of land on which Borden was erected, along with the company from Barrie. Each photograph is individual, adhered to a canvas sheet which is secured on a back-board and finished with shellac. There is one image missing from the panel itself, but it is in possession of the museum, waiting for conservation techniques to prevent further deterioration. Shaw recalled that in 2009 “We were in large storage, moving things around and found this. No one had ever seen it before”. At first, museum staff had no idea who any of the men pictured were, nor the company they belonged to. It was assumed to be World War I related. They put a Continued next page...
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
call out to the community, including some of the pictures of the men. Shortly after beginning to receive information about the subjects of the photographs, a composite reproduction of the much larger panel was located. This composite included the names and ranks of each soldier. It is believed the first large panel uncovered in storage was assembled by the photographer to re-photograph to create a
single image which was then framed and included the text details. The final presentation is approximately two feet square. What the original panel includes which the reproductions do not, is a legend. This legend, pictured below, denotes whether the men were killed in action, wounded, gassed, et cetera. The symbols of the legend have been penciled onto the panel, above or below each image. It is not
known who created the legend and began to mark the panel, but it is left incomplete. Despite being such an intriguing and informative piece of history, it still manages to provide questions yet to be, or perhaps, never to be answered. Currently, no record of it coming to the museum has been found. Perhaps the family of the donor would be able to fill in some of the details. The Webb Studio of Collingwood is credited on the smaller composite version. This piece was featured in the museum’s military exhibit in 2009. Upon its conservation, perhaps we will see it on proud display once again.
Shipbuilding history
This detail of the original panel shows the legend. Symbols have been penciled onto the canvas above or below many of the photographs, but not all men have been labelled. The legend brings to light the grief and tragedy behind the initial sense of valour this artifact presents.
Collingwood is known as being a ship-building town. Photographs of side-launches are iconic. Officially opened in 1883 on the Queen’s birthday as Collingwood Dry Dock, Shipbuilding and Foundry Company by J. D. Silcox and S. D. Andrews, it was renamed Collingwood Shipbuilding in 1892. The core business was building lake freighters to fit the narrow locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Over the company’s lifetime
November 2013 • Page 9
it built over 200 ships. During World War II, the company was contracted to build 23 warships for the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Navy, mostly corvettes and minesweepers. The shipyard was acquired by Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) in 1945. Ships were also built for the United States navy. Business slowed in the 1970s and by the 1980s orders were in severe decline. Foreign competition producing cheaper vessels killed many of Canada’s shipbuilders. The last ship completed, C.C.G.S. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, for the Canadian Coast Guard was launched in December of 1985. The company folded in 1986.
Theatre involvement
This year, the Collingwood Museum was involved with the town’s Gaslight Tour group who produce theatrical performances depicting historical events of the town. Historical advice was provided for the four performances which included The Storm of 1913 (performed on the anniversary of the storm), a performance about women welders during the second world war, another on the dangers of working in the shipyard and finally, the Continued next page...
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
closing of the shipyards. Another favourite museum piece of Shaw’s was on display outside the Theatre Collingwood offices in the Press Gallery of 65 Simcoe Street; the original doors from the Collingwood Shipyards building. She anticipates that this year’s more prominent involvement with this annual event will encourage history buffs to visit the museum as well as perhaps attracting theatre-goers. These doors, plus framed images of the shipbuilding business, line the hallway through November 2013. The Collingwood Shipyard doors
November 2013 • Page 10
will be on display at the museum afterward. Shaw spoke of one of the ships which was lost during that fateful storm of November 1913. The S.S. James Carruthers. The Carruthers was built at Collingwood, Ontario by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company. “It was launched in May of 1913” says Shaw, “It was the largest cargo ship to be launched in the United Empire”. The ship was owned by the St. Lawrence & Chicago Steam and Navigation Company of Toronto, Ontario, with the official registry
Public performances:
Thursday, November 14th 7–11 p.m. uest! l b Special guest: Liveits bes Ronnie Douglas at Harbour Street Fish Bar 10 Keith Street, Collingwood
Wayne Buttery 705-718-5637
The original doors of the Collingwood Shipyards are out of storage and on display at 65 Simcoe Street in the arts district of Collingwood this month.
info@waynebuttery.com www.waynebuttery.com Full band • 4 piece
Thursday, November 28th 7–11 p.m. Special guest: Dean McTaggart Harbour Street Fish Bar 10 Keith Street, Collingwood
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
number 131090. Hull number for the Carruthers was 00038. It was a steel hulled, propeller driven lake freighter. She was 529 feet in length, 58 feet wide and 27 feet deep. Gross tonnage was 7862 and net tonnage 5606. Visit the Collingwood Museum to explore the history of Collingwood including its geological past. There’s a “Ship Sidelaunch” every 15 minutes. The Museum offers exhibits, special events, education programmes, archives and research facilities and a store. Admission is by donation. $2 is suggested. More information is available at www.town.col-lingwood.on.ca/museum.
November 2013 • Page 11
Model of the City of Collingwood on display at the Collingwood Museum.
Collingwood, June 22, 1905—Four Men Meet a Horrible Death - James Meade, Prescott, fireman; Lyman Finch, Owen Sound, deckhand; A. Mclellan, East Tawas, deckhand; one crewmember unknown (He joined the boat at Soo on the way down). The fire was discovered at 2 A. M. It had started around the smokestack. Captain Wright had gone to his home on Pine St. about an hour before and was preparing for bed when he heard four whistles sounded by the steamer Brittanic which was laying alongside. Captain Wright went at once to the dock, went aboard and woke the 1st mate J. D. Montgomery and a wheelsman. They had to jump to the dock to escape the flames. The unfortunate men that lost their lives were sleeping in the forecastle and could not escape. The portholes were too small to get through. After the fire had been burning two hours the remains of the steamer were towed to what may be called the graveyard of the harbour - the shallow water on the west side where a few years before her sister ship the City Of Parry Sound had burned to the waters edge. She was still burning as Captain Scott of the tug Saucy Jim shoved her into her final resting place. The masts fell as did the smokestack. The City of Collingwood was one of the finest steamers of the N. N. Co. and the flagship of the Georgian Bay Div. —From the Collingwood Bulletin, June 22, 1905.
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MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Japanese Internment Camps in Kent County
Before the beginning of WWII, many Canadians living in British Columbia held racist attitudes towards JapaneseCanadians. Citizens blamed the Japanese-Canadians for many of their hardships and troubled economic times. On December 7, 1941 the Empire of Japan launched an attack on the Seventh Fleet of the United States at Pearl Harbour, in Hawaii. The bombing of Pearl Harbour became the catalyst of
the forced evacuation of Japanese-Canadians away from the Pacific Coast, under the guise of “safe-guarding” Canada from Japanese spies. The population of JapaneseCanadians in Ontario in 1941 was 320. By the summer of 1942 that number would double, and by the wars end in the thousands. Many of these people were moved to Kent County, one of the most anti-Japanese places in Canada.
Jerry Hind will examine the reasons and results of this forced evacuation of Canadian citizens, under the shadow of the Second World War, and their experiences in Kent County. The evening’s talk includes light refreshments. This look into Chatham-Kent History is presented by the Chatham-Kent Museum and will take place on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 7 p.m. in Studio One of the Chatham Cultural Centre. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the Chatham Cultural Centre Box Office, 75 William Street, North, by calling 519-354-8338, or at www.cktickets.com. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
November 2013 • Page 12
Chatham-Kent Museum An overview...
For over 60 years, the Chatham-Kent Museum has been selectively acquiring artifacts of local and national signicance including three dimensional objects, art, and natural science specimens. Highlights in the collection include artifacts from the War of 1812, a nationally designated Gray Dort automobile, several locally made horse drawn vehicles, and, of course, their world famous mummy. The museum is comprised of a main oor area that currently houses a semi-permanent exhibit entitled “Horse Power: A History of Vehicle Manufacturing in Chatham-Kent” and several temporary exhibit galleries that feature changing exhibits on a variety of themes. To complement these exhibits, the professional staff of the Chatham-Kent Museum offers a variety of curriculum-based school programs, public programmes, and special events. The museum also maintains an archival collection and research area that is a popular destination for genealogists, authors, researchers, and students. Among the museum’s archival and research holdings are several extensive local photograph collections. Enjoy a heritage experience at the Chatham-Kent Museum (or, using the dynamic marketing slogan of Gray Dort: “You Will Like It”). The Chatham-Kent Museum is open 7 days a week from 1pm to 5pm. Admission is by donation and is located at 75 William Street North, Chatham, Ontario.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Notes from the Ontario Museum Association
—Speech from the Throne
The 2013 federal Speech from the Throne was a wide-ranging recap of the Government’s accomplishments and a renewal of its priority around jobs and the economy. In that vein, it promises continued fiscal discipline, including the freezing of federal operating budgets.
For culture:
For the cultural sector, the opportunity will be found in the comments around Canada’s upcoming 150th anniversary in 2017. A key milestone cited in the Speech is the establishment of the Canadian Museum of History “to share the story of Canada with pride”. Other identified milestones on the Road to 2017 are largely drawn from Canada’s military history. The Speech also commits the government to “working with Canadians to support community projects, local celebrations, and other initiatives to commemorate this historic occasion.” The other reference to the arts in the 2013 Throne Speech is the arts tax credit, cited as a measure to help keep taxes low for Canadians. By and large, Throne Speeches provide the broad framework of a government’s policy agenda. They do not generally contain many specifics.
November 2013 • Page 13
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Ontario Launches “Open Government” Get involved and have your say!
The provincial government has announced Ontario's new “Open Government” initiative, which will give the people of Ontario a more transparent and accessible government, more opportunities to access information, and engage with the government on things that matter to them. An Open Government Engagement Team will gather feedback from people across the province and report back to the government in spring, 2014. The focus will be on three areas:
new ideas. • Open information, which means creating even more transparency by sharing more information. Visit Ontario.ca/open to see what the government is working on and learn how to get involved. Of particular interest to MuSEEuM readers is this link: http://www.ontario.ca/artsand-culture/arts-and-culture
• Open dialogue, so it is easier for people to connect and interact with government through new tools and technologies. • Open data, so people can access data to solve everyday problems and come up with
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for your business!
November 2013 • Page 14
New museum for Plympton-Wyoming
The Town of PlymptonWyoming is a community with a population of approximately 7500. It is located within the north central portion of Lambton County, on the shores of Lake Huron, with accessibility to Highway 402, railway and ready access to Sarnia, London, Toronto and the United States of America. The PlymptonWyoming Historical Society has recently elected a new Board of Directors and is making headway on the creation of a new museum. Members of the Society have been preparing the lower level of the town’s Camlachie Community Library, which is where the new museum will be housed. This follows their inaugural meeting in September and a public meeting which was held last month. President of the society Don
Poland says the group will continue to establish policies and outlines, defining just how the Society will function. If you are able to help out by volunteering, contact Poland at 519-869-4909 or by email at dpoland@cogeco.ca. On January 1st, 2001, the Village of Wyoming (located on County Road #21, two miles south of Highway #402) and the Township of Plympton amalgamated to become the new municipality of the Town of Plympton-Wyoming. The municipality is governed by a sevenmember Council, including a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor. The Municipal Office is located at 546 Niagara Street in Wyoming, Ont. As a result of this amalgamation, it has created a larger, more diverse community, with a strong mixture of rural and urban lifestyles.
This is a QUARTER of a page banner advertisement space. Based on: 13/4 inches by 77/16 inches (4 columns wide)
$15 per month if booked before December 20th 2013.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Described as ornate, functional and fun; a collection of harness brass, barn lanterns and license plates is hoped to hook your attention this fall. Bert Black is the third collector to be featured in the Wellington County Collects exhibit that showcases the unique collections of Wellington County residents, at the Wellington County Archives. “From hundreds of different objects, these three collections highlight a selection of pieces that our third collector loves the most,” says Amy Dunlop, Curatorial Assistant. “There is a little bit of everything and each object tells a part of Bert Black’s story. That’s what makes this exhibition a wonderful experience for the public.” Black explains: “In my collection, I have over 120 horse brasses, more than 150 license plates (dating from 1917 to the 1970s) and a variety of Wellington County-made lanterns, including railroad and construction lanterns”. When asked why he collects this stuff, he says “Nostalgia...preserving articles that were used, or part of days gone by, is what interests me.”
November 2013 • Page 15
Black’s collection will be on display until January 5, 2014. If you’d like to bring your collection to the Museum, please contact Amy Dunlop at: 519.846.0916 x 5232 or amyd@wellington.ca to get your name on the list. The Wellington County Museum and Archives is located on Wellington Road #18 between Fergus and Elora. Admission is by donation. It is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. On the web: www.wellington.ca/museum.
Remembrance Day at the Canadian War Museum 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
On November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., the First World War came to an end. It lasted over four years, killed or injured nearly 30 million military personnel and devastated some of the world’s biggest empires. It changed the future of people, countries and continents. Canada’s contribution was significant, unprecedented and costly. The country came out proud and victorious, heading towards national autonomy within the British Commonwealth, while mourning the loss or injury of 250,000 Canadians.
Throughout November, we invite you to REMEMBER
Special concerts, activities and presentations make the Canadian War Museum the place to come and REMEMBER. Please consult the www.warmuseum.ca/remember for Remembrance Week activities.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 16
Grey Roots Museum & Archives has grown and developed into a unique facility from the County Museum’s beginning in 1955 and the later establishment of a County Archives in 2000 in order to promote and preserve the heritage of Grey County. With the consolidation of the Grey County Museum, Grey County Archives, and Tourism in 2004, Grey Roots has become a multi-faceted attraction. Innovative and informative interpretive programs and demonstrations, rotating exhibits, a heritage village, archival resources and superior customer service come together to create an exciting and educational visitor experience. Grey Roots Museum & Archives, 102599 Grey Road 18, Owen Sound, Ontario 519-376-3690 www.greyroots.com
Fall lecture series at Grey Roots Museum and Archives is underway:
Canadian History, Eh?
Grey Roots Museum & Archives will present the Fall Lecture Series, Canadian History, Eh?, starting Tuesday, November 5, 2013. Local History teacher, Gary Weinger, will lead the lectures every Tuesday throughout November at 2:30 p.m.. The first lecture on November 5 is all about European Discovery. The presentation will focus on how Europe paid for its future industrial growth on the backs of the Natives of North America. The second lecture on November 12 is called The French vs. The English. Some questions that will be addressed are: Why is there still tension between us? Where did it begin in our history? Why did the French stay in Canada after 1763? And, where do we go from here? On November 19, the third lecture will be about the Canadian Identity. The presentation will explore our British, American, Native and other international influences. How history has shaped the Canadian character will also be discussed. The final lecture on November 26, entitled From Nationhood to Present, explores the hot button issues about why we confederated and how we began as a player on the international stage. The Fall Lecture Series presenter, Gary Weinger, is a graduate in History and Political Science from the University of Guelph and taught High School History, English, Law and Business for over thirty years. This included years in Toronto, New South Wales (Aus-
tralia) and the Bluewater School Board (Owen Sound, Meaford and Flesherton). Seeing that only one Canadian History course was compulsory in all of High School curriculum, he has taken to lecturing to lifelong learning groups about the complexity and controversies of Canadian Studies. He believes our Canadian heritage is interesting and diverse, and that we should know more about who we are and how our history still guides us. “It’s not boring!” Gary says of the Canadian History, Eh? Lecture Series. These presentations are part of the annual Fall Lecture Series which takes place on Tuesday afternoons throughout November in the Grey Roots Theatre. Complimentary refreshments follow the presentations. Regular daily admission to Grey Roots includes the Fall Lecture Series. Grey Roots Members receive complimentary admission to all Grey Roots current exhibits and events, including the Fall Lecture Series. In summary: Canadian History, Eh? Dates: November 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2013 (Tuesdays) Time: 2:30 p.m. Location: Grey Roots Museum & Archives Cost: Regular admission. Members always free! For more information on other Grey Roots events, visit http://www.greyroots.com/programs-events/events/
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Electronic word processor available
May have a place in an office or technology exhibit.
Free to a good home in a museum! Sells online for $35—$50
Smith Corona model XD4800 (Late 1990s): An electronic portable unit. It uses daisy-wheels, carbon ribbon and can do bold in any font available. Type into its internal memory to have text justify automatically to your specified column width! It was an excellent way to produce news letters for photocopying! Auto-correct words or sentences. Built in dictionary. Plus other features!
Contact Don at 705-322-3323 (Elmvale, Ontario)or at
3323@bell.net
November 2013 • Page 17
Christmas in Ridgetown It’s beginning to look like
What greater way to celebrate the holiday season then at The Ridge House Museum? Step back in time and enjoy a 1875 Victorian Christmas Dinner, November 30th starting at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner by lamplight and live music surrounded by fresh greens, nuts and pomanders. Enjoy a delicious 5 course meal complete with creamy onion soup, pineapple apricot glazed ham, maple roasted squash, puréed Lima beans, fresh bread, cranberry orange roast goose, apple herb stuffing, hasselback potatoes, honey m u s t a r d glazed carrots, garlic cheese peas, Christmas cake, blueberry pie and a cheese board all paired with local fruit wine. Also enjoy eggnog, tea and coffee The evening won’t be complete without a visit from local Christmas carolers and a few
parlor games. The Ridge House would like to thank its sponsors; Blenheim Sobeys, Parks Blueberries, Blenheim No Frills, Superstore, Chatham No Frills, Ridgetown Kiwanis Club, Ridge Players, Erie Street United Church and Blenheim Meats. Tickets can be purchased at www.cktickets.com for $100. All profit made from the event will go to support the museum and future programing. Ridge House Museum is at 53 Erie Street South, Ridgetown. The museum is open for Christmas celebrations daily, from December 1 to 23, 1:00 p. m. to 5:00 p.m. Group tours & education programs are welcome with advanced booking. For more information contact Ridge House Museum curator by phone, 519 674 2223, or email, ckridgehouse@chathamkent.ca.
November 2013 • Page 18
By Angela Foreman-Bobier, Cultural Manager, Backus-Page House Museum
This summer, staff at the Backus-Page House Museum saved a piece of local history from a pile that was intended for the garbage. During an inventory of the museum’s extensive barn collection and setting up of an exhibit filling the second floor of the historic barn, a random piece of cracked wood was noticed in a pile of post construction refuse. Conscientious staff members checked over that pile before removal and in doing so flipped over what turned out to be a board stamped with a crown and “Tyrconnell Cheese Factory”. “As the settlers developed their herds of cattle, the need for a cheese factory became apparent.” John Seabury Pearce, grandson of settler John Pearce, supplied that need in 1865 by setting up the first cheese factory in the district in the central part of Lot 10 south of “a public road running across said lot, known as the Ireland or Lake Road”. “On these 15 acres, in the westerly part of the lot and closest to the port of Tyrconnell,” the cheese factory symbol is clearly visible in the 1877 Historical Atlas of Elgin County.” “Cheese boxes were not even available in Elgin. Mr. Pearce and his men had to drive to Ingersoll and back, with slow moving teams and wagons, to obtain the boxes. A number of years later, the equipment from this factory was moved to Wallacetown, as it was more central.” Our assumption is John Seabury Pearce tested a stencil on this piece of wood before applying the company stamp to the boxes purchased in Ingersoll. This board is now displayed in our historic barn for visitors to view and learn that what is now not even considered a hamlet, was once a town with a functioning port, businesses and factories. Quotes and research taken from: The Pearces of “Little Ireland” Tyrconnell 1809-2009 by Alison L. Pearce Tweedsmuir History of Wallacetown Community Editors Members of the Wallacetown Women’s Institute
Photograph courtesy of the Backus-Page House Museum
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November 2013 • Page 19
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Kim Dorland (born 1974) Dripping Dream (Emma Lake) 2013 oil and acrylic on jute over wood panel 203.2 x 203.2 cm (80 x 80 in.) Courtesy of the artist
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MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 21
You Are Here:
Kim Dorland and the Return to Painting At the McMichael Canadian Collection in Kleinburg to January 5, 2014.
This exhibition spans five gallery spaces and features approximately 140 works, including more than eighty five canvases by Dorland. One particularly stunning work is a triptych of the French River, measuring eighteen feet long and eight feet high. Dorland's paintings will hang in the company of works by Canadian art icons Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, David Milne and Emily Carr. These works trace the evolution of the Canadian landscape tradition, culminating in Dorland's fresh, modern interpretations.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 22
You Are Here Story & photographs by Don Beaulieu
Before heading off to see Dorland and the McMichael staff preparing this installation, I did some homework. I looked at his work online and read media reports. A common theme was a comparison to Tom Thomson’s work, an inspiration for Dorland, no doubt. He’s a Group of Seven fan. One article described his art as “Tom Thomson on acid”. I could see that. Not sure how Dorland would like that description, but it seemed to fit. Until seeing his art in person I didn’t realize how dynamic his style really is. Despite finding his work intriguing on the two-dimensional screen, in that format it was lacking the physical depth and texture that makes his art so definitely Dorland. His use of colour is often perplexing. Yet there is a realism to it. His use of thick layers of paint is extreme. Yet affective. This is a blend of surrealism with a feeling of familiarity, of comfort not bewilderment. Within this unique representation of his scenes, there was a feeling of “I’ve been there” or “I’ve seen that”. He can take an ordinary stand of birch trees and through his technique, have his image evoke the quiet intrigue a nature lover or artist may enjoy, just looking at the details. The first of Dorland’s pieces visitors to the gallery will see is one of these birch tree scenes. It is too big to fit into the gallery space proper, so it has been installed at the bottom of the ramp leading to the exhibit. What a grand introduction to what lies ahead. A school group was considering this piece as their teacher explained the artist’s methods. The young art connoisseurs were impressed. This show has been configured to allow a dialogue with works from the likes of David Milne, Emily Carr, Tom Thomson and members of the Group of Seven. An excellent job has been done by curator Katerina Atanassova of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, creating a very thoughtful exhibit. One of the most stunning techniques of Dorland’s work are the globs of paint (my interpretation), sometimes carefully sculpted by hand. So thick in many instances that the paint has to be re-enforced with hardware. Below are a couple of photographs of some of his
Kim Dorland (born 1974) Death by Landscape (for M.A.) or The Girl Disappears #4 2013 oil and acrylic on canvas over wood panel 304.8 x 213.4 cm (120 x 84 in.) Courtesy of the artist
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Here we see the installation of Kim Dorland’s actual studio walls into the McMichael exhibit. This offers an insight to alternate scenes, colours and techniques he has tried, as well as sketches and ideas during the creative process.
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MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
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MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
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Kim Dorland (born 1974) In November/Zombies #3 (family) 2013 oil and acrylic on jute over wood panel 182.9 x 243.8 cm (72 x 96 in.) Courtesy of the artist
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
smaller pieces, taken at oblique angles, to show his use of paint, which brings an unexpected relief to his art; something not apparent in two-dimensional reproductions. With the expert lighting in the McMichael galleries, this dimension of his work truly stands out to its full effect. Combined with this thick, rough application of oil paint, Dorland often uses an air-brush for the background, which is especially effective on sky and water subjects. He’s not afraid to employ a variety of techniques in one piece to achieve the desired result. One of the more interesting, dare I say questionable, pieces are portraits of his wife Lori. They are very three-dimensional, formed in oil paint. Some aspects appear to be squeezed directly from a tube of paint, other parts appear manipulated by hand. Atanassova explained Dorland’s methods with these portraits: “Portraits just sort of happen” for him. “He wants to feel the medium, he puts layers of paint until the paint becomes her”. She continues... “He feels (the portraits are) very tender although they appear very crude”. He has been particularly inspired by F. H. Varley’s green portrait of Vera (which resides in the National Gallery of Canada). The photograph of Dorland on page 18 shows him standing beside Dripping Dream (Emma Lake). This painting depicts his notion of the disappearance of Thomson and Thomson’s influence on the Canadian art world. The empty chair, the blank canvas asking “What is there after Thomson?” Although working closely with Atanassova and her crew at the
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McMichael, Dorland admits that hanging a show may be his biggest weakness. He attempted some pre-planning of the show but realized “The McMichael is actually ’way bigger than I ever remember it to be”, which may be of benefit as many of his paintings are very large. In his own words “They’re pretty beastly paintings. I think people were surprised by how heavy the were”. Something Dorland has perfected is the transport methods for his large, heavy thickly painted works. “I’ve shipped to Berlin, to L.A... and they’ve all arrived safe and sound”. After touring the exhibition, Dorland suggests the viewer may be able to pick out some of the source drawings and images in the reproduction of his studio which is a part of this show. Dorland says he takes “a lot of Polaroids, I do a lot of drawings, watercolours, iPad drawings”. Photography is the largest part of his reference material. When asked about his unusual colour palette, Dorland explains that he has “always had an eye for the acidic. I like clash and making those clashes work... but there’s always a sense of calm, or elegance”. Originally from Alberta, Toronto is currently his home. He agrees it is likely the best place for him to be right now. “I do love Toronto” he says, although he can see a time in the future where quieter, less active surroundings would be appreciated. Woodland Waterfall, which is based directly on Tom Thomson’s Woodland Waterfall caused Dorland some concern about public reaction. “I didn’t know what people would think of me attacking a literal appropriation, but the response has been really crazy—people really like that painting. That’s a good thing; I did my job well”.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 27
Woodland Waterfall: Right: Tom Tomson’s painting. Thomas John "Tom" Thomson (August 5, 1877–July 8, 1917) was an inuential Canadian artist of the early 20th century. He directly inuenced a group of Canadian painters that would come to be known as the Group of Seven, and though he died before they ofcially formed, he is often incorrectly credited as being a member of the group itself. Thomson died under mysterious circumstances, which added to his mystique. Thomson painted this scene in 1916. Below: Kim Dorland’s version of Tom Thomson’s Woodland Waterfall.
Tom Thomson (1877–1917) Woodland Waterfall 1916–1917 oil on canvas 121.9 x 132.5 cm Purchase 1977 with Funds Donated by The W. Gareld Weston Foundation McMichael Canadian Art Collection 1977.48
Kim Dorland (b. 1974) Woodland Waterfall (after Tom Thomson) 2013 oil, acrylic and spray paint on canvas over panel 182.9 x 243.8 cm Courtesy of the artist
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Orillia Museum of Art & History 30 Peter St. S, Orillia, ON L3V 5A9 705 326–2159 www.orilliamuseum.org Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am–4pm
Please note: The AGM will be closed for installation from November 10 - 21. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, November 21, 6 p.m.
Allegory of the Cave
November 21, 2013 - January 1, 2014
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 21, 6 p.m. Free bus from the Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, to the reception. RSVP to the Reception | Book a Seat on the Bus
FREE FRIDAY FUN AT OMAH Beginning Nov 8, 2013 ORILLIA, ON (October 28, 2013) – Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) launches a new program for its visitors and guests. Free Fridays begin on November 8 and are generously sponsored by The Madison County Food and Beverage Co. The Madison County Food & Beverage Co. was founded in Orillia in 1963. Its president, Jim Dykes has played a key role in the development of the specialty coffee market and the rise of a rapidly growing, multi–dimensional Foodservice Management Company. Dykes attributes the success of The Madison County Food & Beverage Co. to the hard work of an incredible team providing exemplary service and premier products. Free Fridays invites the community to experience art, heritage and culture. Madison County, as the sponsor of Free Fridays shares their 50 years of business success and welcomes the opportunity to give thanks to the community it calls home. OMAH is excited to partner with this vibrant local business. OMAH plans to offer additional programming opportunities on Free Fridays. Some of the ideas brewing include an open studio on Friday afternoons. Artists, budding and experienced can work in The Dorothy Macdonald Creative Studio and be inspired by the magnificent renovated studio space while engaging other artists and sharing their work. Also brewing will be a drop-in program designed to offer youth a place to meet and be creative. Each week, participants will explore different forms of expression that are of interest to them. A community art project spearheaded by Lois Green and Leslie Fournier will feature Madison County’s specialty ... gourmet coffee! OMAH would also like to thank the generous support of Business for the Arts through the artsVest program. artsVest is designed to stimulate innovative business sponsorship and corporate engagement in arts and heritage. For information, please contact: Lois Green, Education Coordinator 705 326–2159 | programs@orilliamuseum.org
Allegory of the Cave presents artworks from the current AGM Permanent Collection and envisions how the act of collecting will be reanimated as the AGM embraces the future. The exhibition sheds light on the methods and truth of industry standards as the AGM launches a digital archiving project for its collection and invites the public to see the process in motion.
XIT-RM | Nataliya Petkova: tensions in collaboration with NAISA November 21, 2013 - January 1, 2014 The XIT-RM is sponsored by the RBC Foundation.
The works in this exhibition constitute an ensemble of instruments for territorial readings and sound performances triggered by movements of the performer's body that strive to shift our everyday environmental perceptions and assign sound characteristics to visual geography. Using steel needles, as in phonographs, they translate immediate territorial texture into aleatory and unrepeatable sound compositions.
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
November 2013 • Page 29
Computers
9-A Queen St. W., Elmvale, Ontario Phone: 705-322-1997 Fax: 705-322-0910 e c Email: gscom@simcoe.net n tena Mainntracts! Monday to Friday - 9:00am-6:00pm co Saturday - 9:00am-4:00pm
—by Don Beaulieu, Publisher of MuSEEuM This issue of MuSEEuM has set a new pecedent. Publishing late. Previous issues have been online on the 1st of the month. Most other papers I write for, and clubs I provide publicity for, have end of month deadlines. Seeing as I can’t control everyone else’ deadlines, I made the executive decision to move the MuSEEuM publishing date to the 7th of the month. That stretched to the 13th for a number of reasons. But I am sure this issue is worth the wait. This issue contains more self-promotion than usual. Advertising funds are needed to cover expenses. If you can support MuSEEuM with an advertisement, or for a simple
acknowledgment of support, please consider doing that for the next issue. Advertising rates will be going up (roughly doubling) from the introductory rates which have been offered since our inaugural August 2013 issue. Deadline for the December issue is Friday, November 29th. The introductory rate card is available at www.issuu.com /museeum. Museums will be able to advertise for half price in the new year. This would be a perfect place to include “posters” for special events and exhibits. Perhaps you have a product or service which suits the demographic of museum-goers, you or simply want to help
promote museums; Let’s get your business in these pages to show that support! Your advertisement design is welcome (PDF or JPG), or I can work with your ideas and input to come up with an effective design. Perhaps you don’t have anything to advertise, but would like to share a story about your local museum, or what museums have meant to you. High resolution photographs are welcome. Show us yourself and your family having fun at a museum, perhaps volunteering!
—Don Beaulieu
MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
Entice fans to travel to see your museum! MuSEEuM
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MuSEEuM • Promoting museums in Ontario, Canada
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