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Portia White, classical singer 1911 – 1968

Portia White was a Canadian contralto singer who overcame the obstacles of gender, race and the exclusive nature of the classical music world to gain international renown, and recognition as one of the greatest voices in Canadian history.

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Kenojuak Ashevak: visual artist, 1927 – 2013

Canada lost a national icon this week, with the death of Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak on January 7. Many Canadians are familiar with her image “The Enchanted Owl,” which appeared on a Canada Post stamp in 1970, but few know the name of the artist – a pioneer of Inuit art whose drawings, prints and […]

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Prudence Heward, painter 1896 – 1947

Born in Montreal, the sixth of eight children, Prudence Heward developed an early interest in art. She was schooled at home due to her severe asthma, but in spite of her delicate health her ambition was to become a painter. Her formal training came at the Art Association of Montreal (AAM) where she received instruction […]

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Nell Shipman: the Girl from God’s Country 1892-1970

Many artists are inspired by the legacy of those who went before, and Canada’s history is rich with talented, creative women.  This post is the first in an occasional series celebrating some of those pioneers… in the visual arts, music, film and more. Today is the birthdate of Nell Shipman (born October 25, 1892), so […]

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