The works of legendary artist William Stidworthy are once again on exhibit in Amherstburg.
Stan Bergeron, a collector of Stidworthy paintings, has brought a series of the artist’s work to the Amherstburg branch of the Essex County Library. The library regularly exhibits the works of local artists with Bergeron’s collection of Stidworthy being the choice for August.
Bergeron recalled receiving a Stidworthy painting for his birthday in 1970 and that is when his collection began.
“I got interested in his work,” said Bergeron. “I decided to check to see if there were any other Stidworthys.”
The collection has grown substantially over the years to where it is today.
“To my surprise, I’ve collected about 230 oils and watercolours that Stidworthy painted,” he said.
The expansion of the collection came in large part thanks to newspaper ads, with Bergeron being contacted by people who are willing to let him buy their paintings and others who are not but are still willing to send him photos of the paintings. He developed a friendship with Dr. Gene Krentz, a retired university president who now lives in San Antonio, Texas. Krentz has 15 Stidworthy paintings, his daughter in Texas has eight while another daughter has eight, the latter of Krentz’ daughters living in Canton, Michigan.
Bergeron said he has spoken with 177 people about their Stidworthy paintings and knows of 678 of them.
“There are probably another 500-1,000 more out there,” he estimates.
Stidworthy was born in England in 1889, and came to Canada in 1912. He lived in British Columbia and Alberta when he first came to Canada and studied under artists William Beatty, Ralph MacMillan, Carl Schaefer and Franz Johnston, the latter being a member of the well-known artists “The Group of Seven.”
Bergeron said Stidworthy was in his 20s when he moved to this area, and worked as the chief decorator for the Prince Edward Hotel. The hotel was located at the intersection of Ouellette Ave. and Park St. in Windsor, Bergeron pointed out.
After Stidworthy retired, he did a painting almost every day, Bergeron said he was told by Stidworthy’s daughter Phyllis.
Stidworthy would eventually move to Willow Dr. in LaSalle until his death in 1977 at the age of 88.
A similar exhibit was held in April at the Gibson Gallery with that being entitled “Homage to W.F. Stidworthy (1889-1977) – Impressionist Paintings.”
“After my show at the Gibson Gallery in April, I showed at the LaSalle Library for the month of July,” said Bergeron. “I’m returning back to Amherstburg with a smaller exhibit.”
Since the exhibit at the Gibson Gallery, Bergeron stated two Amherstburg residents called him about their Stidworthy paintings.
“I’m just trying to continue his legacy,” said Bergeron.
The Amherstburg library is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed Sunday.
Local Stidworthy collector returns to Amherstburg with exhibit
By Ron Giofu
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