Bruce County Museum presents an exhibit of vibrant colour and movement

 

Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre is hosting the first complete exhibit of artist Roly Fenwick’s Pow Wow Emanation that honours the First Nation Pow Wow celebrations, particularly at Saugeen First Nation and Cape Croker’s Chippewa Unceded First Nation.

                                                              Only one quarter of the artwork on exhibit

Fenwick, who was born and raised in Owen Sound and who has a cottage, Happy Thought at Big Bay on the Bruce Peninsula, has captured the vibrancy of the First Nation’s regalia and the energy of movement in their dances.

Museum Executive Director, Cathy McGirr (L) listens to artist Roly Fenwick

The exhibit is an homage to the First Nations peoples of Bruce County and their cultural importance that surrounds the Pow Wow gatherings where dance and drumming with song are key components.

“The power of the images is not piracy,” said Fenwick, “they contain releases reciprocity and empathy that I have for the culture … mainly it’s all about dancing – dancing in my head and in the rush.”

           Stuart Reid

Approximately 100 people attended the opening of the show that is being sponsored by the Community Foundation of Grey Bruce and Saugeen Shores Community Fund. 

Stuart Reid, Executive Director, told the audience how, as former Director of the Tom Thompson Gallery in Owen Sound, he had come to  know Fenwick and had organized exhibitions of his work and is a great fan. “The Foundation has over $16 Million placed with us to invest and we then give back the earned interest to the communities through grants. This exhibit is wonderful work and the Community Foundation is very proud to be able to support it.”

 

Museum Executive Director, Cathy McGirr, said it is the first time the complete exhibit is being shown in Bruce County, or anywhere.  “We are very proud to be able to host this exhibition.”

 

 

The exhibition will continue through to November 24th at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.  For more information visit:  www.brucemuseum.ca or call” 519-797-2080.