Limited-edition Lake Winnipeg Watershed Plant Print Sale – A joint fundraiser in support of Debwendon Inc. & the Lake Winnipeg Foundation
Money raised from the prints will be used to complete the Interpretation Project and/or for a special educational project to be determined by the Board.
All prints are mounted on 8″ X 10″ acid-free, archival mats by Woodridge Framing Gallery, Winnipeg
About the prints:
The six plants – Bunchberry, Cedar, Fiddlehead Fern, Wild Columbine, Wild rose and Yellow Lady’s Slipper – depicted in this series of wood engraving prints can be found within the Brokenhead Wetlands Ecological Reserve near Scanterbury, Man. This culturally significant area is part of Lake Winnipeg’s vast watershed and home to 28 of Manitoba’s 37 native orchid species, 10 species of carnivorous plants and 23 other rare plants. This print sale celebrates the 2015 opening of a boardwalk interpretive trail that borders the ecological reserve.
Created by accomplished artist Henry Eric Bergman in the 1940s and 50s, these prints are symbolic of a time before Lake Winnipeg was threatened. They were printed in the artist’s lifetime from zinc plates that were made from an image that was engraved onto a wood block. Typically, such prints were affixed to a folder, signed, and given away to colleagues or sold as greeting cards. Because they are not numbered, it’s not known exactly how many prints exist in this series, however, notations suggest between 30 to 100 were produced of each design. A small stock of prints remaining in Bergman’s estate (all unsigned) has been graciously donated by the artist’s descendants to foster awareness and appreciation of wetland conservation within the Lake Winnipeg watershed. These images are a piece of local art history that depict the unique ecological beauty in Manitoba’s backyard.
About Henry Eric Bergman (1893-1958):
Born in Dresden, Germany, Bergman studied commercial art before coming to Canada in 1913. Inspired by classical music and the natural beauty of his Canadian home, he worked in pencil, watercolour, oil and colour wood block printing, but was best known for his fine black-and-white wood engravings. His work is in the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Glenbow Museum (Calgary) and the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa). He and his wife began visiting Victoria Beach in the 1920s. His descendants have been cottagers at VB since 1961.
About Debwendon:
Debwendon Inc is a non-profit organization working to promote and preserve the Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve, raise public awareness of the historic cultural connection between the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and the Brokenhead Wetlands, and construct and maintain a boardwalk and interpretive trail. The word debwendon means “trust” in Ojibway.
About Lake Winnipeg Foundation:
The Lake Winnipeg Foundation is an environmental non-governmental organization seeking solutions to ensure a clean, healthy Lake Winnipeg and watershed now and for future generations. LWF’s efforts are focused on research, public education, stewardship and collaboration.