Tourism, Culture and Recreation
May 13, 2008

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Minister Pays Tribute to Helen Parsons Shepherd

I rise in this Honourable House today to acknowledge a great loss to Newfoundland and Labrador�s visual arts community.

Helen Parsons Shepherd, a local artist known for her commissioned portraits and still-life paintings, passed away on Friday, May 9, at the age of 85.

Mrs. Parsons Shepherd was a pioneer in this province�s arts community.

Her drive, vision and talent led her to the position of co-founder and operator of the province�s first-ever formal art school - the Newfoundland Academy of Art in St. John�s. The school, which opened in 1949, was a joint project between Mrs. Parsons and her husband, the late Reginald Shepherd.

As the first person from this province to earn a fine arts degree at the Ontario College of Art in 1948, Helen Parsons Shepherd�s work consisted of portraits of people from all walks of life, as well as scenes from everyday life, including 1965�s Spring in Newfoundland, one of her more well-known works.

Mrs. Parsons Shepherd�s portrait work was in very high demand. She captured perfectly the essence of her subjects, bringing many of this province�s residents to life on canvas.

In fact, she is responsible for seven of the Speaker portraits you see around the House of Assembly today, including the portrait of Speaker Harvey Hodder, which will be unveiled today.

I invite my colleagues to join me in offering condolences to Mrs. Parsons Shepherd�s family and friends.

She has led the way for many of the province�s aspiring and established artists, and her legacy will continue to live through her work.

2008 05 13                                                    5:05 p.m.

 


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