The last of 100 portraits being painted this year by a University of Guelph instructor and alumnus to commemorate the 100th anniversary of John McCrae’s wartime poem “In Flanders Fields” will feature former U of G president Bill Winegard.
Winegard, a Second World War veteran, will sit for the portrait Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the City Hall Galleria and Market Square.
Artist Greg Denton, a sessional lecturer in the School of Fine Art and Music, is expected to finish the portrait within an hour.
The work will complete Denton’s “100 Portraits/100 Poppies: Sitting in Remembrance” public art project as the City of Guelph’s artist in residence.
This past summer, Denton created 100 oil portraits of local military personnel, veterans and cadets as well as people affected by war or inspired by the century-old poem. He has worked in public spaces and facilities downtown in order to foster community interaction and engagement.
His project was selected following a public call for entries. All 100 portraits will be displayed at Guelph’s Market Commons downtown.
Originally from Nova Scotia, Denton completed a master’s degree in 1996 at U of G, where he has taught for many years.
Winegard, 90, served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1942 to 1945 as the youngest qualified navigating officer.
After serving as U of G president from 1967 to 1975, he became a Member of Parliament and served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of international trade, minister of state (science and technology) and as Canada’s first minister for science.
On campus, he has lent his name to Winegard Walk, the William Winegard Exemplary Volunteer Involvement Awards and the Winegard Medal for undergraduate achievement. He also established three annual visiting lectureships at Guelph.