Duane Hicks
The Fort Frances Museum next month will unveil an important addition to its collection—a painting by late prominent aboriginal Canadian artist Norval Morrisseau.
The piece will be showcased during the Friends of the Fort Frances Museum’s fall soirée and fundraiser gala there on Thursday, Nov. 1.
Museum curator Sherry George said the Morrisseau painting was donated to the museum years ago by Margaret Lichtenstein, a former art teacher at Robert Moore School fondly remembered by students from years ago.
Lichtenstein was the consultant to the public school board that commissioned the modern art sculpture done by Ron Baird, which was installed in front of the old Robert Moore School in 1968.
During the tenure of former museum curator Pam Hawley, the painting sat in the museum office for some time but not put on exhibit on its walls.
Shortly after George started as the new curator here, local artist Connie Cuthbertson spotted the painting and pointed out to George that it might just be a piece by Morrisseau.
“Then I started enquiring, and a few other people came in and said, ‘That’s a Morrisseau!’” noted George.
“I confirmed it with Pam, went online to see what his art looked like,” she added.
“I was told this is a world-famous artist and very popular—in Europe he’s quite popular.
“I was told we really need to be showing people this because people will come and see it,” George said.
But something had to be done with the painting before it could be put on display. It was in need of a cleaning and was in a nondescript frame.
Fortunately, the Canadian Museums Association’s Preserving Canadian Treasures grant came open—and the museum received $1,000 to help pay to get the painting appraised and properly cleaned and framed.
George personally took the painting, which measures about 2.5 feet across and more than six feet in height, to professionals in Winnipeg earlier this year.
She noted the painting had to be cleaned with great care as it was painted on kraft paper, not canvas.
It then was taken to a framer, who “did a beautiful job—it really enhanced the painting,” lauded George.
The painting arrived back in Fort Frances in late spring, but George then had to determine exactly where it should go, taking its size into consideration.
She then wanted to wait for the right time to unveil it, which as it turns out will be the Nov. 1 soirée.
But those curious about what the painting looks like will have to wait until then to see it.
George said she expects some people will have a keen interest in Morrisseau, who is known as the “Picasso of the North,” adding she’s aware of some residents own original Morrisseau art.
Museum fundraiser
Meanwhile, plans are coming together for the Friends of the Museum’s inaugural fundraiser event on Nov. 1.
Running from 6:30-9:30 p.m., the evening will include a silent auction with art donated by talented local artists, live music by the Borderland Ensemble, some games, and socializing over beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
As part of the fundraising, “Friends” are selling tickets to attend this soirée. They cost $35 each, which includes food, drink, and entertainment.
Tickets are available at the Fort Frances Museum and the Fort Frances Times. You also can reserve them by calling George at 274-7891.
Only a limited number are available.
In addition to the Morrisseau unveiling, the second highlight of the evening will be a first public look at the completed Community Arts and Heritage Project, “What Hooks You Here?”
First conceived by community members nearly three years ago, this rug-hooking project has been worked on by many hands since then.
Now that it is complete, it will be on display at the museum for all to see—an inspiring example of what a community can do when its members come together to work on an arts project.
The soirée also coincides with two exhibits by two local artists, Lindsay Joy Hamilton and Jean Richards, making for the perfect opportunity for people to see just a fraction of the wealth of talent in this community.
The Friends of the Museum is a new non-profit group of volunteers who, for the past year, have been raising funds to help pay for “extras” at the museum which go beyond its annual operating budget.
The group’s aim is to help the museum provide more programming for residents, especially children, as well as make capital purchases, such as a digital message board for the museum exterior.
All of which will help draw more people to the museum and utilize it to its greatest potential as a valuable community resource.
