The Brandon College and Brandon University Art Exhibition Committee was active from 1960 to 1972. The Committee was established to promote the visual arts in Brandon through education and to sponsor exhibitions featuring the work of local artists.
Custodial History
The records were assembled by Robert Inch of the Brandon University Extension Office and Professor D.V. Reilly, who taught art through the Faculty of Education at Brandon University. They were donated to the McKee Archives in 1997.
Scope and Content
The sub-series contains records of past exhibitions, minutes and correspondence of the Brandon University Art Exhibition Committee. Sub-series also contains personal files on some artists consisting of correspondence and information pertaining to exhibitions of their work. There are also extensive files on past exhibits including advertising, correspondence, newspaper clippings, publications and files concerning local affiliated art clubs, such as the Student Camera Club at Brandon University.
The Brandon Art Club was founded in November 1907, and operated in an art studio on the top floor of the Brandon College Women's Residence. The club appears to have been the creation of Miss. H. Hancock, who became the Director of the Department of Art at Brandon College c. 1907. The club moved to larger facilities made available at the First Methodist Church; the organization remained there until sometime during the Great War when the club relocated to St. Paul's Presbyterian Church and then in 1921, to the Prince Edward Hotel. The club's first public art exhibitions were held at the Prince Edward Hotel. Art classes were held for the first time in 1928. In 1968, the Brandon Art Club merged with the Allied Arts Center, which had been formed in 1959. The Allied Arts Center was located at 1036 Louise Avenue. In April 1984, the Allied Arts Center was moved to new facilities at the Arts Center of Western Manitoba located at 638 Princess Avenue. In 1989, it was renamed the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, and began to function as a "professional, regional art gallery." The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba relocated to 2-710 Rosser Ave. c. 2001.
Custodial History
These records were created at different times between 1907 and 1993, and remained in the possession of the administration of the above mentioned organizations until May 2001, when they where donated to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains administrative records, minutes, personal files, correspondence, newsletters, photographs, summaries of collections and exhibits, scrapbooks, programs, submitted papers, and other miscellaneous records. All are a record of the growth and evolution of the Art Club, its administration, and of the art community in Brandon.
The A.E. McKenzie Company fonds (RG 3 MG 1, 1.3) located in the McKee Archives contains some records, primarily correspondence and minutes, relating to the Brandon Allied Arts Council.
Jean Louise Mains (nee Cameron) was born on September 16, 1907 in Boissevain, MB. She attended school in Boissevain, one year at Brandon College and received her teaching certificate from the Brandon Normal School in 1926. She taught at Dunallen, Royal and Fairburn schools until her marriage to Clifford Mains (1890-1948) in 1937. The couple had three daughters: Barbara, Elizabeth and Susan. Clifford and Jean farmed until 1944, and then moved to Boissevain. Jean did hospital books until 1950, then moved with the children to Brandon for a year so she could take a secretarial course. Returning to Boissevain, she worked at the agricultural office for nine years then returned to school again, this time taking a business course at Red River College. For the next thirteen years Jean taught business at the Boissevain High School. A member of the Eastern Star, IODE, the UCW Group of St. Paul's United Church and the Beckonging Hills Activity Club, Jean enjoyed travelling and playing bridge. Jean Mains died on February 15, 2003 in Boissevain, MB. She is buried at Boissevain and Morton Cemetery.
Myrna Dring (nee Hicks) was born on May 18, 1944 in Ninga, MB. A part-time speech aide at Boissevain School in the early 1980s, she took her psychiatric nursing training in Brandon, Winnipeg and Ninette from 1962-1965. On July 31, 1965, Myrna married Ray Clinton Dring (1942-2005), and the couple adopted a daughter, Nancy. After the marriage, the family lived in Boissevain, where Ray was involved with the family business Dring Laminated Structures Ltd. In 1985, the Drings moved to Winnipeg. Myrna Dring continues to live in Winnipeg, MB.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Jean Cameron Mains and Myrna Hicks Dring about social life in the town of Boissevain from approximately 1900-1980. The interviewer is Bernice Pettypiece.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Mains' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Encyclopedia of World Art Library Reading Room, 2nd floor Library and Arts Building. Presentation by the Brandon College Alumni Association of a cheque for the final payment on the Encyclopedia of World Art as a memorial to Ernestine R.W. Whiteside, former Lady Principal of Clark Hall. L to R William Bridgett, President, BCAA; F. Joan Garnett, General Secretary, BCAA; Eileen McFadden, College Librarian; Dr. R.F. B. King, Associate Dean of Arts and Chairman, Faculty Library Committee