Gala kicks off Harold Cromwell Arts Festival

Cromwell’s brother Everett, daughter Natasha, son Bruce unveiled one of the artist’s largest pieces, a painting entitled ‘Back in the Old Days’.

Before the unveiling, Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee chairperson Rod LeFort said Harold Cromwell was a great supporter of Sissiboo Landing. “The committee is honored to be able to pin his name to the local festival,” said LeFort. “We hope to promote his name and works in the future.”

LeFort said it has taken hard work, commitment and the support of many people, organizations and business to make the festival possible.

Cromwell’s daughter Natasha Cromwell told guests that when her father died, he left an enormous legacy, and both she and her mother realized the necessity of sharing his works with the community in which he lived for the majority of his 88 years. “As part of the Harold Cromwell Folk Art Studio, our family’s goal is to assist in promoting culture, to celebrate the rich history and diversity of this area, to increase tourism thus creating jobs and to showcase the strong artistic talent base we have right here in southwest Nova Scotia,” said Cromwell.

Cromwell said she and Sissiboo Landing coordinator Jeanne Nesbit talked about how her father would feel in regards to the gala and festival. “I was undecided because sometimes my father could really be shy while other times he inhaled the praise and attention,’ she said. “Jeanne was of the opinion that he would be tickled. “Jeanne knew him well so I took her word for it keeping in mind that he always liked a good party,” Cromwell added.

Cromwell thanked everyone who helped open the festival and who made her realize just how much her father and his extraordinary talent was appreciated.

Admiral Digby Museum curator Sheryl Stanton was responsible for cataloging all of Cromwell’s works belonging to the estate as well as Natasha Cromwell’s personal pieces.

Cromwell encouraged those who had any of her father’s works to register them.

Elizabeth Cromwell, secretary of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society, said the Cromwell exhibition was beautiful and that it was important to recognize the talent that came from these original Black Loyalist’s communities such as Weymouth in order to give it its proper place in Nova Scotia history.

Dr. Leslie Oliver, president of the Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia, said the festival is an amazing event and said he hoped the society will have a permanent display of Cromwell’s work that documents who he was and what he did, as well as point to where he came from. “This event is an amazing thing not only showcasing Cromwell’s work but the ongoing commitment to the arts festival,” Oliver said.

Warden Jim Thurber of t he Municipality of Digby, expressed delight at the exhibition and wondered how many other pieces of Cromwell’s work were ‘out there’. The three-month festival showcases many of the works of local folk artist Harold Cromwell, who died in March 2008. Cromwell’s work will be on display for the public from July 4-25.

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