OSCEOLA — Douglas-born Michael Agnew will be the guest speaker at the Bromley Historical Society’s eighth annual Dan Gorman Memorial Talk. This free event will be held on Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. in the Old Town Hall, 498 Micksburg Road, Osceola.
Mr. Agnew will speak about the internationally known Canadian impressionist
artist Mary Alexandra Bell Eastlake, who was born in Douglas in 1864. Her artwork and ceramics can be found in collections and galleries across the country, including the National Gallery of Canada.
Born in Douglas in 1864, Mary Alexandra Bell studied art in Montreal, New York and Paris. She achieved international acclaim as an impressionist portrait painter and was the first Canadian-born woman to be a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, RCA.
Her work was well received at the salon expositions in Paris and London. She married English painter Charles Herbert Eastlake and moved to England, wher
e she devoted her time to learn enamelling and metal work for the production of jewellery as an applied art.
Ms. Eastlake returned to Canada in 1939 and exhibited her works in Canada and the United States. She died in Ottawa in 1951.
Mr. Agnew, who grew up in the Douglas area, graduated from the University of Waterloo, and rose to the rank of Senior Vice President, Technology, for both Noranda Inc. and Falconbridge Ltd., two large international mining and metallurgical companies based in Canada. He is now semi-retired.
Prior to this presentation, a short Annual General Meeting will take place. Refreshments will be served following the question and answer period with Ms. Eastlake.
The event is open to everyone.
