[BCMA] Ready, Aye, Ready! The Maritime Museum of BC presents the artwork of Robert McVittie

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Amazing Sea Stories - The Maritime Museum of BC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30th, 2012

Ready Aye Ready! The Artwork of Marine Artist Robert McVittie

Born in England in 1935, Robert McVittie became one of the most celebrated marine artists in North America. He began his life at sea entering the Merchant Navy as a young man. Throughout this time, he began drawing and sketching the things around him to document his experiences. From then on, his career as a visual artist commenced.

According to his family, McVittie was "passionate about his art and all things marine. It made sense that these two passions were closely connected; our memories of him with a sketchbook in hand are many."

Throughout his many years as an artist he achieved numerous accomplishments including becoming President of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists and receiving a commission by Northwest Territories Commissioner, Stuart Hodgson, to portray the marine history of the N.W.T. His beautiful paintings have also graced the collections of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, various Heads of State and numerous corporate collections.

In 1991, McVittie, then a designated war artist by the Department of National Defence, joined Operation Friction Task Force and saw the deployment of 4500 Canadian Forces to the Persian Gulf. His duty was to record the Navy's operations through notes, photographs and videos that he later used in the creation of more impressive paintings.

Despite his prestige and talent, McVittie was "just as comfortable spending time at the Admiral's table as he was in the company of an ordinary seaman." He approached everything with a "joie de vivre that inevitably rubbed off on those around him."

Sadly, in 2002, Robert McVittie passed away from a long haul with leukemia. He has left behind a huge legacy and a lifetime of stunning artwork chronicling his many adventures.

The Maritime Museum of BC is pleased to present a new exhibit, Ready, Aye, Ready: The Naval Art of Robert McVittie, showcasing 22 of McVittie's spectacular original paintings. We invite the community to the opening, Thursday, April 5th from 1-3pm. Regular museum admission is required. Remember, two children 12 and under are always free with an accompanying paid adult (Limit two children per adult).

For more information, please call 250-385-4222 or visit mmbc.bc.ca.

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For any additional details, please contact
MaryAnne Dieno
mdieno at mmbc.bc.ca
250-385-4222 ext. 113
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