Erin Morton will be the guest speaker at a reception for our exhibit “Influence: the lessons of Trudy and Paula Garson“ on Saturday, April 28, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Yarmouth.

Erin was one of the kids growing up in Yarmouth who took group art lessons with the Garsons . She is now a professor at UNB, teaching courses that use art and cultural practice   “ as a launching pad to think about history as both an intellectual practice and a lived experience”.   Her new book “ For Folk’s Sake” looks at art and economy in 20^th century Nova Scotia, and is dedicated, in part, to “Trudy and Paula Garson who inspired generations of weird art kids in Yarmouth”. Copies of her book will be available for purchase, courtesy of Coles in Yarmouth.   (Price is $45.00; cash only.)

Also, the following day , there will be an afternoon program from 2 until 4,”‘Sharing the Stories”. Former students and others who knew Trudy and Paula are invited to share their memories.   One special guest will be Burton LeBlanc, now the head of the make-up department for “The Handmaid’s Tale” .   Burton credits childhood classes with the Garsons for wakening and encouraging his artistic development.

People are also encouraged to bring artwork—either paintings by Trudy or Paula, or student work of their own, to show and talk about.   It will be an interesting and entertaining afternoon!

Hope to see you at one or both events!