Euphemia McNaught
A tribute to Eric Bask, stained glass artist who adapted these pictures of Euphemia McNaught for this outstanding "wall"
Eric Bask [1933-2002] well known artist and educator in Grande
frairie, moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 1989 where he and Donna built
their retirement home. Incorporated in their home was this stained glass wall.
Eric was a long time student and friend of Betty. He appreciated the sense
of place and adventure in her work as well as the fact that she was an inspiring
teacher and a great challenge for him. Betty was impressed with Eric's work
and she gave him permission to use her paintings as ideas.
Eric approached the Cultural Centre some 5 years ago when his health began
to fail, regarding a permanent home tor the "wall". He set the price
to the Cultural Centre at $ 10,000 stipulating that the "wall" stay
in place at his home while he was alive, but that eventualy the stained glass
pieces would be transplanted to it's new home at the Beaverlodge Cultural
Centre. At that time the $ 10,000 would revert back to the Cultural Centre
to be used as an endowment fund tor an art scholarship for promising visual
artists in the Beaverlodge area and that the "wall" would become
a part ot our Centre.
A quote from the Bask agreement goes as follows, "The wall is an honor
to Euphemia McNaught tor the wealth that she has contributed to the visual
art world especially those ot us from the Beaverlodge area".
So this elegant "wall" will perpetuate Eric Bask and Euphemia McNaught
and their artistic talents and concern tor culture in our area.
The executive and the many volunteers ot the Beaverlodge Cultural Centre would
like to extend a huge thank-you to the Beaverlodge Lion's Club for their generous
donation of $2500.00 dollars towards the installation ot Erik Bask's stained
glass wall. We also want to acknowledge and thank Albert Driedger of Wild
Rose Country LogWorks for the wonderful framing and installation of this piece
of art.
