Seamed Oak Bay: works by renowned artists restored to their former glory

Five years and one week after her death, Dorita Grant’s artwork has a new and respected place of honor at the Monterey Recreation Center.

Three large restored works fill the entire lobby wall, adding lightness and history to the space.

Born in Victoria on April 26, 1925, Grant was a longtime Oak Bay resident and member of the Monterey Center. She passed away on her November 17, 2017, and there was a lot between her Dorita, including a famous artist and her mother.

Gail Hughes didn’t get a chance to meet the artist, but she did find the work Grant donated to her community hub lovingly hung where people could see it – at the recreation center. They are scattered.

“These wall hanging gifts from Dorita Grant to the Center show not only her talent and skill as an artist, but how much the Monterey Center and Oak Bay communities mean to her,” said Hughes, 11. Said at the unveiling ceremony on May 21. Wall hangings are a visual form of storytelling. They tell the story of Orc Her Bay in the most charming and beautiful format. “

But as the simple picture frame took years, the details began to fade. Hughes, president of his Recreational Activities Association in Monterey, which funded the work, asked the commission what they thought about restoring the three large works.

Following a quote from Prestige Picture Framing and an OK to proceed, she received the piece for museum-level restoration in late 2019. Works she came back after 6 months. back burner.

On Monday afternoon, several members of Dorita’s family came to see the restored work, including sons Ian Grant and Kevin Grant, Kevin’s wife Melanie Grant, and son Mark Grant’s wife Debra Campbell. I was.

“She would have lost herself,” Kevin said of the display.

Dorita is an Honorary Member of the Victorian Embroidery Guild and taught Advanced Cruel Embroidery. She was also involved in writing an embroidery course for the Canadian Embroidery Association Correspondence School and was awarded her Life Honorary Membership for her service to the Society. Her work is displayed in civic buildings, art galleries and museums across Canada.

But the piece hanging in Monterey has a personal touch, and Ian quickly finds it. Quatre’s large painting to her point features a pair of her Boston terriers, believed to be the family’s dogs, and parked along the road is her boy’s car.

Two other works depict Oak Bay’s historic buildings (many no longer standing) and Oak Bay Village in the 1930s.

It is on display at 1442 Monterey Avenue.

christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca

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