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Veterans Voices of Canada propaganda poster display opens at Bonavista Fine Art Gallery

A unique homage to war times has opened on Centennial Street in Sylvan Lake
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PROPAGANDA POSTERS - Executive Director of Veterans Voices of Canada

A unique homage to war times has opened on Centennial Street in Sylvan Lake thanks to a partnership between two local organizations.

Veterans Voices of Canada and Bonavista Fine Art Gallery are proud to present a war time propaganda poster collection.

The poster display belonging to Executive Director of Veterans Voices of Canada, Allan Cameron, officially opened on Tuesday afternoon at Bonavista Fine Art Gallery.

Comprised primarily of nearly pristine World War I and World War II propaganda posters, the collection also contains pencil sketch portraits by local artist, Ashley Akkerman, detailing a number of central Alberta veterans.

Cameron explained the Canadian government used propaganda posters during war times for a number of reasons including encouraging patriotism, recruiting and the purchase of bonds. Other propaganda posters in the collection currently on display at Bonavista Fine Art Gallery from Cameron’s collection focus more on the discouragement of ‘loose talk’.

“During the second world war, there was a threat of enemy agents infiltrating Canada,” explained Cameron of the ‘Loose Talk’ propaganda poster on display. “Propaganda posters such as ‘Loose Talk’ suggest that Canadians who openly speak about the production vital to the war effort could be used against us through saboteurs who mingle among us in our day to day lives.”

Cameron explained he has been collecting the posters for just over two years time, adding it was the vibrant uses of colour that ultimately began to attract him to the artistic styling.

“I’ve always had an interest in military memorabilia - uniforms and helmets,” explained Cameron. “I didn’t seem to come across many posters and then all of a sudden I started seeing them every where I went. Just to look at them, they are eye catching and interesting to view.”

Owner of Bonavista Fine Art Gallery, Denise Milne said she was very excited to have the collection being showcased in her downtown Sylvan Lake gallery, adding she believes it will act as one more way to remember the sacrifices made by Canadians during war times.

“Having people remember is always the biggest part, it’s so easy to forget about war times because our generation never lived in them,” said Milne. “Collections like this help people remember and it brings remembrance to the forefront of people’s minds.”

Bonavista Fine Art, which is quickly approaching their one year anniversary of operations in Sylvan Lake, currently features to work of 29 local artists. Milne, who is also an artist, creates original contemporary abstract paintings with acrylics and mixed media. In addition to Cameron’s collection of propaganda posters, there is a diverse body of work available for viewing and purchase at Bonavista.

Milne said she aims for Bonavista to have something for everyone and as such hosts a wide array of original mixed media, sculptures, wood turnings and stained glass pieces. The gallery also holds regular glass staining classes. Milne added she is also looking forward to an upcoming landscape painting workshop.

The Veterans Voices of Canada poster collection will be on display at Bonavista Fine Art Gallery on Centennial Street in downtown Sylvan Lake until November 12.

Hours of operation for Bonavista Fine Art Gallery are as follows: Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday to Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the Veterans Voices of Canada Propaganda Poster Collection contact Allan Cameron at info@vetvoicecan.org or by phoning 403 358 6313.

Editor@sylvanlakenews.com