Oct 20, 2014

ALONG THE ROAD TO FREEDOM

~  an exhibition of 22 Paintings by Winnipeg artist Ray Dirks
~  a project of the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery, Winnipeg
In art and words, Along the Road to Freedom tells the dramatic stories of Mennonite women and their families who fled the Soviet Union in the decade after the Russian Revolution and during World War II. Despite the despair, horror and loss each of these families faced, at its core, this exhibit is about love, courage, humility, determination and faith.

Along the Road to Freedom developed out of the desire of the project’s committee members to honour the women responsible for bringing them to Canada. Artworks are sponsored, for the most part, by families. Artist Ray Dirks interviewed sponsoring family members, collected research material and cobbled together memories into images to create the paintings.

After the tour the artworks will be permanently installed in Winnipeg as lasting reminders that we should remember our stories, and pass them on to our children and grandchildren.

This exhibit is on display at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, ON from September 8, 2014 to January 18, 2015.  For more details regarding hours and map to the location visit the website.

6 comments:

  1. Such a great project! I look forward to the day when we can take our grandkids to the gallery to learn this part of our people's story.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Elsie, for your comment. I'm planning to go and see the display at Conrad Grebel and hope our kids and grandkids get a chance to see it, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Check out the website link and see if it mentions it there. I know it is touring but I forget where. The permanent home will be the Heritage Centre in Winnipeg.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Last evening we were with friends and talked about this art display and found out that the woman in this painting is the grandmother of our friend, Fred Neufeld. The brooch pictured in the centre is a family treasure which is being passed down through the generations. They weren't sure which cousin has it. Recently their 12 year old grandson has begun asking - what is my family's heritage! Do you know your family's story? If not, maybe this exhibition will inspire you to find out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, the exhibit will be going to the new Mennonite Museum in Abbotsford once the Museum has opened to the public.

    Korey Dyck,
    Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg

    ReplyDelete