Maud Lewis is having a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
2019’s Heritage Day honoree is Maud Lewis, one of Canada’s most recognized folk artists. Every year Nova Scotia’s Heritage Day honors significant cultural and historical contributions made by individuals or groups. Previous year’s honorees include civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond, and politician and journalist Joseph Howe.
Over the years, and especially after her death in 1970, Maud’s art has become well-known in Canada and beyond. More recently, with the release of Maudie, a 2017 movie based on her life, there has been renewed interest in her unique and much-loved work. These days more and more people from Canada and beyond are aware of her whimsical, brightly coloured paintings depicting her world.
Maud was born in Yarmouth County in 1903. She lived with severe arthritis throughout her life, but despite her health and physical challenges, as well as living in poverty for most of her life, she saw beauty and inspiration in her simple surroundings. She eventually was able to share paintings of her day-to-day life in rural Nova Scotia by selling her now iconic pictures to people near and far.
Although her paintings often sold for $10 or less back then, these days her art sells for many times that price. At a 2018 auction in Toronto, one of her most famous paintings– Three Black Cats – sold for $22,000.
We are very fortunate in Nova Scotia to have access to Maud’s work at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, where her beautifully restored home – the “painted house”- sits in the gallery, surrounded by dozens of pieces of her original work.
This February is a perfect time to honor Maud’s legacy and to brighten your day by taking in her life and work at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
In addition, throughout February, there are a variety of events planned at the Halifax Public Libraries, including the Sackville and Bedford locations, in celebration of Maud. Check the Halifax Public Libraries website for details about the activities, including painting workshops and story readings.
Here’s to an enjoyable Heritage Day for all, and perhaps a little bit of Maud Lewis to brighten our February days.
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