Bill Muir was born September 6, 1940, and grew up in High Bluff, Manitoba. He had an academic background in agricultural and biosystems engineering, having attended the universities of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Illinois, finishing with a PhD in 1967 from the University of Saskatchewan.
Bill was an active member of Trinity United Church, as well as a volunteer and supporter of both the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Bill enjoyed nature and camping, especially at Grand Beach. During his time in Winnipeg, he painted a collection of nature inspired pieces at Forum Art Centre. Bill worked in his field at the University of Manitoba from 1967 until he retired as professor in 2001 and moved with his wife Hilda to Edmonton.
Bill Shoup was a multimedia artist and an art educator with the public school system in Winnipeg. Over the years Bill taught many classes at Forum Art Centre, and he kept active in supposed retirement instructing art and actively volunteering for a variety of art organizations. He was well known for his clay sculptures but trained and taught in a variety of mediums including watercolour, acrylic, oil, pencil and mixed media.
Bill was a past president of CARFAC, a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists, a member of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, an artist member of Winnipeg’s Medea Gallery Co-op when it was located on Osborne Street, and a featured artist at the Pulse Gallery. Each year during Culture Days, Bill would demonstrate his clay sculpting techniques at the Pulse Gallery to an audience that loved to watch him work. Bill’s bear sculptures were particularly popular.
Dr. David McQueen born in 1922, spent his childhood in Glasgow, Scotland. David served in India with the British Army during WWII, where he met his wife Dr. Beryl McQueen, also serving as a Medical Officer. After emigrating to Canada together and settling in Winnipeg, David practiced for many years as a Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, changing the lives of children suffering from chronic pain. After leaving private practice David worked as a consultant Surgeon for the Worker’s Compensation Board, then finished his career as Medical Examiner for the Interlake region of Manitoba.
David practiced many hobbies; movie making, sailing, golfing, and painting, which he did for some time at Forum Art Centre. He brought the same dedication and perfectionism to his interests as he did to his professional life, and never lost connection to his deep Scottish roots.
Etta Hyman born April 27, 1921 lived in her birthplace of Regina, Saskatchewan for 25 years. The latter of which she spent helping to hold down the family business while her three brothers were overseas during WWII. Sometime after the end of the war Etta moved to Winnipeg with her Husband Harold to create a home for themselves.
In Winnipeg Etta worked as a multitalented homemaker, raising two sons, and being active in the Herzila Synagogue. As a cook, a baker, and caretaker of her home and family Etta was skilled in the art of holding space for others. However, Etta had a great passion for painting and she spent many days at Forum Art Centre building a prolific collection of works. She loved to travel, and it could be said that her travels often served as inspiration. Today many of Etta’s paintings hang in the homes of her children and close friends.
Fran Partridge was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and moved to Hamiota, Manitoba with her husband following the second world war. Fran has pursued her art making via countless art workshops in several mediums. She is a lifetime member of Winnipeg Sketch Club, a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists, a member of the Medea Gallery for over 26 years, and a founding member of the Manitoba Printmakers Association. In addition to her work in watercolours and pastels, Fran specializes in woodblock printmaking and teaches workshops on this technique.
Hubert Theroux grew up in the rural community of Cardinal, Manitoba where his love for the Canadian prairie was nurtured on the family farm. As a youth he painted the landscapes around his home, and then progressed to include the farm activities which he recalled from his early childhood. Hubert has created murals for the Boissevain & Morton Arts Council, Ducks Unlimited, Nature Conservancy of Canada, St. Joseph Museum, St. Leon, Miami, Holland and Treherne.
Today Hubert continues his prolific career as an artist. His work hangs proudly in many homes and corporate offices throughout Manitoba and abroad, and his images been published as limited edition prints, book covers and calendars.
Dr. John T. Mills, PhD. born July 31, 1937, in Redhill, Surrey, U.K., lived an adventurous life as both scientist and artist. After travelling post-war Europe, graduating from Imperial College London, and settling for some time in Trinidad, John immigrated to Canada to work in Winnipeg for the Canadian Government as a plant pathologist. This is where he became a world authority and forensic expert in diseases of grain.
In retirement John continued pursuing his creative and scientific passions, becoming president of the Manitoba Society of Artists and chairman of Rare Breeds Canada. Combining these two themes - John's artistic talents blossomed as he became a celebrated painter. He particularly loved capturing animals in the context of their environments - excelling at depicting diversity in horse breeds.
Lorraine (Lainy) Rubin born in Winnipeg on February 1, 1924, was a registered nurse and gifted artist actively involved in her community. Lainy volunteered for a variety of non-profit organizations in the city, including the Gwen Sector Club, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Lainy enjoyed years of painting beautifully coloured pieces at Forum Art Centre. In addition to also being an artisan when it came to needlework; specializing in embroidery and knitting, she was a skilled cook who loved to host dinners and create gourmet meals for guests. In the face of living most of her adult life afflicted by severe chronic illness, Lainy’s compassionate nature never faded. Lainy could not bear to see anyone suffer, and was known as an animal lover who loved and cared for dogs and cats all her life.
Neil Baker, born and raised in Winnipeg, as a talented painter who painted for some time at Forum Art Centre in the 1960s, considered a career as an artist but did not pursue it because he knew it would be a challenge financially. Instead, Neil crafted an over 50-year career in restaurants and kitchenware.
In 1999, Neil Baker opened d.a. Niels Kitchenware, a 2,000 square-foot store in Winnipeg. In 2004, Niel expanded to a 6,000 square foot space where he continues to share his love and knowledge of all things housewares.
Neil Hoogstraten, a son of Dutch immigrants, was born in Winnipeg on February 11, 1910. Neil was a lifetime member of the Winnipeg Sketch Club, an artist frequently featured in Forum Art Centre “Fresh Art” shows, and President of the Manitoba Society of Artists from 1966-1969. Neil ran his commercial art business until he retired in his 70s but was an active artist throughout his adult life. Prints of Neil’s rural landscape scenes can be found in plenty of personal collections throughout Winnipeg.
Dr. Edward Rooklidge “Ted” Siddall, MD. born February 13, 1925, was a dedicated, compassionate, and kind family physician who practiced in Pine Falls, Manitoba for 44 years. Ted was also a recognized bodybuilder who held many prestigious titles including, Mr. Red River Valley' in 1971, Mr. Manitoba and Sr. Mr. North America in 1972, and Most Muscular' in 1976… just to name a few.
Ted always had a great appreciation for arts and culture, and as soon as he retired, began pursuing his true passion for art. Ted traveled extensively enjoying museums, art galleries, theatre, and symphony orchestras in a variety of international cities. He also began painting and sculpting himself, and could usually be found at Forum Art Centre four days per week working on his art. He participated in several art shows and sold many original and commissioned pieces.
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