GEORGE CASSIDY
LIFE AND WORKS ILLUMINATED
EXHIBITION GUIDE AND ACTIVITY BOOKLETS
GUIDES D'EXPOSITION ET D'ACTIVITÉS
Preface and Acknowledgements
In partnership with the Haileybury Heritage Museum, the Bunker Military Museum, and the Cobalt Mining Museum, the Temiskaming Art Gallery presents an exhibition of the life and works of George Cassidy. The exhibition will be on display at TAG from November 14 – December 23, 2022, and tour across Northeastern Ontario until April 2023. An opening reception will be held at the Temiskaming Art Gallery on Sunday November 20, 2022, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
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George Cassidy: Life and Works Illuminated | La vie et l’œuvre illuminées celebrates Cassidy, a multi-faceted artist whose writing, paintings, and illustrations richly detail the social history and physical landscapes of the Temiskaming District. Curated by Felicity Buckell, the exhibition comprises works from TAG’s permanent collection as well as many on loan from partnering museums and private collections of individuals across the region.
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Sincere thanks to all those who are sharing with us their Cassidy paintings for this exhibition: Curt Arthur, Brit Griffin and Charlie Angus, Felicity Buckell, Susan Cavanagh, Bev and Paul Gordon, Theresa and Tom McGrory, Marvyn Morrison, Deborah Murray, Walter and Maria Pape, Valerie Hostetler, and Larry and Lorraine Wiwchar. Thanks also to Wendy Crocker, the granddaughter of George and Patricia Cassidy, for providing myriad resources and ongoing support for this project, Chris Oslund and Marg Harrison at the museums, Laura Landers for framing, Le Centre culturel ARTEM, Réjeanne Bélisle-Massie, Michel Massie, and Jocelyn Blais for translation and support, Darlene Wroe for resources and enthusiasm for the project, Lucy Wowk for design, Drew Gauley for photography, Eleanor Huff for sharing her extensive knowledge of the works of George Cassidy, and to those who have so generously contributed to TAG’s permanent collection over the years. This project was made possible with financial support from the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Museum Assistance Program, the Temiskaming Foundation, and Le Centre culturel ARTEM.
A Note from the Project Curator
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Welcome to George Cassidy: Life and Works Illuminated | La vie et l'œuvre illuminées, in which we present perspectives both personal and professional in order to shine a light on the myriad facets of a fascinating and accomplished individual who was beloved by friends, family, colleagues, and the community at large.
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While visiting the exhibition on display at the Temiskaming Art Gallery, begin along the curved wall and walk clockwise, you will find Cassidy's paintings displayed as follows:
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Scenes of Temiskaming
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Winter Scenes
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Cassidy's Cobalt
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Beyond Temiskaming
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Once you have viewed these 30 delightful works portraying his skills as an artist, in the far partitions you will discover multi-faceted Cassidy as:
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The War Hero
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The Beloved Educator
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The Gifted Writer, Illustrator, and Historian
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Here you are welcome to peruse copies of books he has written.
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The second partitioned section comprises Cassidy's unfinished works and sketches, where you will be invited to finish an unfinished painting. We have also on display a collection of Cassidy's annual Christmas cards from TAG's permanent collection.
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As you come back around to the entrance, you will find 'From the Archives': photographs of Cassidy and his family, newspaper clippings, and the exhibition catalogue from the last retrospective exhibition TAG held. It was curated by Eleanor Huff, one of the visionaries behind the establishment of the Temiskaming Art Gallery in 1979. The catalogue has some interesting text as well as a concise timeline of George Cassidy's life. Feel free to pick it up to read.
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If you are not able to make it to the in-person exhibition at TAG, please enjoy digital versions of the Exhibition Guide and Activity booklets, found below.
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Enjoy this beautiful exhibition!
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Felicity Buckell, November 2022​​​​