News and Events
Heritage photographs well received in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto
The Friends of Iceland, and the Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa, invited Nelson Gerrard to bring his presentation of “Silent Flashes” to Ottawa and Montreal, March 13 – 16, 2007 and it was very well received in both cities. A presentation was held also in Toronto on March 18.
Lou Howard, communications secretary of the Friends of Iceland in Ottawa, writes:
“Nelson arrived in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 13, and was met by the Ambassador and three members of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Iceland. He was the guest of Markús Örn Antonsson and Steinunn Ármannsdóttir at the Embassy Residence during his stay.
On March 14 in Montreal, he presented his show; “Silent Flashes; Exploring Our Icelandic Photographic Heritage - 1870 – 1910” to 22 guests at the impressive Westmount room at the Westmount Library. During the show one person in the audience recognized her relatives in one of the pictures, resulting in a lot of important data being added to the photographic heritage.
On March 15, he presented his show to 34 guests at the official residence of the Embassy of Iceland. The Ambassador and his wife hosted a social reception as the guests gathered, and then all went down to the lower level where the projector was set up and chairs set out for the show. Nelson used the CD player in the room to add music to his selection of pictures. He expanded on many of the pictures with the details that are evident in the clothes, and the background in some of the pictures.
Early during the show there was as cry of joy from one of the audience members who explained that the picture on the screen was of her relatives and that she had never seen that photograph before. Once again notes were taken, and the show continued.
Nelson Gerrard presented to Markús Örn Antonsson a copy of his book “The Icelandic Heritage” which was suitably engraved to the Friends of Iceland and to the Ambassador and his wife.
It was an exciting evening for all who attended. Many of the guests mingled after the show eager to talk to Nelson Gerrard about their history and again notes were taken.
During his stay in Ottawa, Nelson Gerrard spent many hours at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, consulting staff members and studying photos that belonged to Icelandic immigrant families and are now part of the Museum’s archives. He also saw Icelandic artifacts in the storage rooms. Different Icelandic national costumes were shown to him, utensils of various types and a few chests, among them one that was decorated in Iceland by legendary painter Sölvi Helgason.