Family of late Peter Fancy on hand for opening reception; ‘my dad would have been moved, honoured and excited to have been here,’ says daughter
A retrospective exhibition of the artwork of the late Peter Fancy, a former Barrie resident, is now on display at the Temiskaming Art Gallery (TAG) in Haileybury.
Titled View from the Studio, the exhibition is on display at the gallery until Sept. 5.
One of the leading local historians of the area, in addition to being a writer, English teacher and painter, Fancy was known throughout the area and his work continues to serve as a historical resource.
He attended elementary and high school in Haileybury and then went on to Queen’s University to obtain a bachelor of arts and a certificate in industrial relations. He later moved to Barrie, but his interest in writing and painting was focused on the Temiskaming area, which he regularly visited.
At the opening reception on July 27, TAG curator Melissa La Porte noted the presence of Fancy’s family and friends.
His daughter, Barrie resident Susan Spadafora, related that she and her mother, Betty Lou Fancy, had visited the gallery two years ago to discuss whether the facility could be a home for some of her father’s paintings.
At that time, a suggestion was made for an exhibition of his works.
“My dad would have been moved, honoured and excited to have been here,” said Spadafora.
She said her father’s parents had been born in Haileybury, and he and his wife had met and married in Haileybury, which is located about two hours north of North Bay.
Her father kept a journal about family life in Haileybury and his memories growing up there, Spadafora said.
She said the journals contain Fancy’s feelings about the north, the shores of Lake Temiskaming, his visions, memories and his creative imagination.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO TEMISKAMING
Local historian Chris Oslund related his memories of time spent with Fancy and about Fancy’s contributions to a better understanding of the area’s history.
“He had a great love for his hometown, the Temiskaming region and its people,” said Oslund
In the Temiskaming Treasure Trails local history series, there are “more than just dates and events,” said Oslund. “Peter captured the lives of the people … Peter was a rich storyteller.
“Like his writing, Peter’s art is intended for us to reflect on the beauty and potential of this region. He also intended to inspire us to cherish what we have, inspire us to celebrate our past and to inspire us to embrace the future and share Temiskaming’s story with the world.”
Darlene Wroe is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter with the Temiskaming Speaker.
