Millennium prompts local artist to paint heritage

The upcoming millennium has its influence in a lot of areas these days, including the work of local artist Vi Plumridge.
It prompted Plumridge, a member of the Rainy Lake Creative Arts Society, to capture some of the town’s landmark buildings and homes on canvas using the combined mediums of pen, ink, and watercolour.
She’s completed 15 such sketches since last October–11 of which are on display at the Fort Frances Public Library until the end of March.
Included in Plumridge’s new collection are exterior sketches of La Verendrye hospital (before and after the renovations there), the district courthouse and jail, Fort Frances High School, and heritage homes located at 335 Nelson St. and 402 Church St.
“I really like the crisp, clean look of the [sketches],” Plumridge said Friday of her latest work.
“I still have a few more buildings that I would like to [sketch], or if anyone has any ideas . . .” she encouraged, noting all pieces were for sale.
Plumridge added money from the sale of the two sketches of La Verendrye hospital will be donated back there.
While Plumridge views her latest creative move as successful, it doesn’t mean the learning experience with art is over.
“I want to keep on trying as much [art] as I can because the more you do, the more you learn,” she stressed. “And I don’t consider myself an expert by any means.”