THE E.J. HUGHES CELEBRATION - MAY 15 to JUNE 7 2009

Following a thirteen year conservation, Canadian artist E.J. Hughes' lost 1938 masterpiece, “Lieutenant Malaspina Sketching the Malaspina Gallery” is being installed at the Port of Nanaimo Convention Centre.

The mural, rediscovered during demolition of Nanaimo’s historic Malaspina Hotel, is the only remaining work from the collective mural projects by E.J. Hughes, Orville Fisher, and Paul Gorenson and represents a unique place in the history of this internationally renowned Canadian artist.

“Nanaimo is to be envied for owning such a precious example of Canadian mural painting from the 1930s and congratulated for preserving these wonderful paintings” said Charles C. Hill, curator of Canadian Art at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Edward John Hughes’ (1913-2007) paintings have gained not only regard for their artistic value but have also received financial recognition, as illustrated by the internationally sensational sale of “Fishboats, Rivers Inlet” for nearly one million dollars in 2006.

In 1996, Nanaimo Community Archives identified the mural as one of the last examples of that era’s Canadian artistry and took possession of this historic treasure. Nanaimo City Council funded the restoration and designated the new Port of Nanaimo Centre as the new home for this public art legacy.

Research for a feature length documentary on the artist and the Mural revealed an intriguing life story and the significant cultural and historic importance of this restoration project. Nanaimo has planned several events celebrating the return of this artwork to the community – “The EJ Hughes Celebration”:

MURAL PREMIERE WEEKEND • DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE • May 15 –May 18
- Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Interpretive tours by Gallery docents. Screenings of the documentary film: “E.J. Hughes: The Restoration”. Presented by VICC, Nanaimo Art Gallery, Cinnabar Productions, Conserv-Arte. Mural Viewing: 10 am – 5 pm. Documentary Screenings: 1 & 2 pm Saturday & Sunday. Admission: Free

EJ HUGHES “The Man and His Art” EXHIBITION • May 15 –June 7
- Over 40 pieces of EJ Hughes art from private collections and Canadian galleries. Interpretive tours. Presented by Nanaimo Art Gallery (downtown location). Open: 10 – 5 Tuesday – Sunday (and Holiday Monday). Admission: $8 non-members, $5 members, seniors and students.

MALASPINA HISTORICAL EXHIBITION • May 15 – June 21
- Sketches, drawing, models and photographs of “Nanaimo in the Time of Malaspina”. Open: 10 am – 5 pm. Presented by Nanaimo Museum, Nanaimo Art Gallery, Vancouver Island University. Museum Admission: $2.

EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM & SCHOOL TOURS • May 19 - June 7
- Sat and Sun, June 6 & 7 from 2 – 4 pm. Two-hour educational symposiums featuring Conservator Cheryle Harrison, Curator Jane Cole, Librarian/Archivist Diane Foster and VIU Professor John Black. Admission free but registration required (250 754 1750)
- May 19 - June 5 - School tours of the Mural, Exhibition and Museum Installation. Presented by Nanaimo Art Gallery, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo Museum.


Information: Nanaimo Art Gallery 250-754-1750
Nanaimo Museum 250-753-1821
Vancouver Island Conference Centre 250-240-4050