A Driving Force Timeline
Eveline Marie Alexander (1821-1906)
1821Lady Eveline Marie Alexander, artist, b.1821, Nantes, France (d.1906 Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England).
Mildred Peel (1856-1920)
1856Mildred Peel, artist, b.1856, London, Ontario (d.1920, Santa Barbara, California).
Caroline Farncomb (1859-1951)
1859Caroline Farncomb, artist, b.1859, Newcastle, Ontario (d.1951, London, Ontario).
Florence Carlyle (1864-1923)
1864Florence Carlyle, artist, b.1864, Galt, Ontario (d.1923, Crowborough, Sussex, England).
Grace Blackburn (1865-1928)
1865Victoria Grace Blackburn, art supporter, journalist, writer, and educator, b.1865, Quebec (d.1928, London, Ontario).
CANADA: Dr. Emily Stowe, The First Woman to Practice Medicine in Canada
1867After earning her degree from the New York Medical College for Women, Dr. Emily Stowe becomes the first woman to practice medicine in Canada. She receives her medical license in 1880.
CANADA: Confederation
1867
Wilhelmina McIntosh (1871-1940)
1871Wilhelmina Morris McIntosh, art supporter and collector, b. circa 1871, Euphemia Township, Lambton County (d.1940, London, Ontario).
Eva Bradshaw (1871-1938)
1871Eva Bradshaw, artist and educator, b.1871, London, Ontario (d.1938, London, Ontario).
The Ontario Society of Artists is Formed
1872CANADA: Esther Westmacott, the First Female Artist to Become a Member of the Ontario Society of Artists
1874Esther Westmacott is the first female artist to become a member of the Ontario Society of Artists.
CANADA: Dr. Jennie Trout, The First Canadian Woman to Become a Licensed Physician
1875Dr. Jennie Trout (1841-1921) graduates from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. After passing the registration exam in Ontario that same year, she becomes the first female licensed physician in Canada.
Elsie Perrin Williams (1878-1934)
1878Elsie Perrin Williams, b.1878, London, Ontario (d.1934, London, Ontario).
CANADA: The Founding of the University of Western Ontario (Western University)
1878Western University was founded as the Western University of London Ontario in 1878, and was renamed the University of Western Ontario in 1923. In 2012, the university became known as “Western University,” although its legal name is still “The University of Western Ontario.”
CANADA: Charlotte Schreiber, the First Female Artist to be Elected an Academician of the Royal Academy (RCA)
1880Charlotte Schreiber (1834-1922), a founding member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, is the first female artist to be elected to academician status (RCA). It would be over 50 years until the next woman, Marion Long (1882-1970), reached the same level in 1933.
CANADA: The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts is Formed
1880The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, one of Canada’s most respected art associations, is formed. The academy had two levels of membership, Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy (ACRA) and Royal Canadian Academician (RCA). Each level was reached by election.
CANADA: Frances Jones Bannerman, the First Female Artist to be Elected an Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (ARCA)
1882Frances Bannerman (1855-1940) becomes the first female artist elected an associate member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (ACRA). She would not reach the level of academician (RCA). Bannerman was also the first woman elected to the academy in any capacity after founding member Charlotte Schreiber.
Euphemia Woolverton (1882-1959)
1882Euphemia “Effie” Woolverton, artist, b.1882, London, Ontario (d.1959, London, Ontario).
CANADA: Dr. Augusta Stowe-Gullen, The First Woman to Receive a Medical Degree from a Canadian University
1883Dr. Augusta Stowe-Gullen (the daughter of Dr. Emily Stowe) becomes the first woman to receive a medical degree from a Canadian university when she graduates from the Toronto School of Medicine, Victoria College.
Mary Healey (1885-1923)
1885Mary Healey, artist, b.1885, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England (d.1923, London, Ontario).
Kate Taylor Cumming (1889-1971)
1889Kate Taylor Cumming, artist, b.1889, Ingersoll, Ontario (d.1971, London, Ontario).
Dorothy (Betts) Seely-Smith (1890-1961)
1890Dorothy (Betts) Seely-Smith, artist, b.1890, London, Ontario (d.1961, Victoria, British Columbia).
CANADA: Emma Sophia Baker, The First Woman to Earn a Ph.D at a Canadian University
1903Psychologist Emma Sophia Baker (1856-1943) graduates from the University of Toronto with a Ph.D in Philosophy, becoming the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from a Canadian University, and the first person to receive a Ph.D in Philosophy from the University of Toronto.
Lenore Crawford (1909-1983)
1909Lenore Crawford, art critic, b. 909, London, Ontario (d. 1983, London, Ontario).
Silvia Clarke (1911-1994)
1911Silvia Clarke, artist, b.1911, Cavendish, Suffolk, England (d.1994, London, Ontario).
LONDON, ONTARIO: London's First Art Gallery
1912London, Ontario’s first art gallery opens in September 1912 in Queen’s Park. This gallery only operated in the summer months due to a lack of heating.
Josephine Wilcox (1913-2010)
1913Josephine Wilcox, artist, b,1913, Strathroy?, Ontario (d.2010, London, Ontario).
Marjorie Blackburn (1913-1993)
1913Marjorie Blackburn, art supporter, b.1913, Strathroy, Ontario (d.1993 London, Ontario).
Irene Dewdney (1914-1999)
1914Irene Dewdey, art supporter and art therapist, b.1914, Medicine Hat, Alberta (d.1999, London, Ontario)
WORLD: World War One Begins
1914World War One (1914-1918) begins.
Doris Murray (1916-1984)
1916Doris Murray, artist, b.1916, Princeton, New Jersey (d.1984, London, Ontario).
Kathleen Hart (1916-2012)
1916Kathleen Hart Ellis, artist, b.1916, Byron, Ontario (d.2012, Strathroy, Ontario).
WORLD: World War One Ends
1918World War One (1914-1918) ends.
Anne Marsh Evans (1923-2015)
1923Anne Marsh Evans, artist, b.1923, Nottingham, England (d.2015, Meaford, Ontario).
Doreen Curry (1924-2017)
1924Doreen Curry, art supporter, collector, and donor, b.1924, Orangeville, Ontario, (d.2017, London, Ontario)
Shirley Brickenden (1924-2018)
1924Shirley Brickenden, artist, b.1924, Montreal, Quebec (d.2018, Toronto, Ontario).
Beryl Ivey (1924-2007)
1924Beryl Ivey, art supporter and donor, b.1924, Chatham, Ontario (d.2007, Toronto, Ontario).
Anna P. Baker (1928-1985)
1928Anna P. Baker, artist, b.1928, London, Ontario (d.1985, Kingston, Ontario).
Paddy Gunn O'Brien (1929-2012)
1929Paddy (Patricia) Gunn O’Brien, artist, b. 1929, Carshalton, England (d.2012, London, Ontario).
Margot Ariss (1929-2013)
1929Margot Ariss, artist, b.1929, Belleville, Ontario (d.2013 London, Ontario).
Nancy Geddes Poole (b.1930)
1930Nancy Geddes Poole, art supporter, art dealer, gallery administrator, volunteer, and donor, b.1930, London, Ontario.
Eve Apostoll (1931-1995)
1931Eve Apostoll, artist and educator, b.1931, Detroit, Michigan (d.1995, London, Ontario).
CANADA: Marion Long, the Second Female Artist to be Elected an Academician of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA)
1933Marion Long (1882-1970) becomes the second female artist elected an academician of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA). She had been elected an associate member (ACRA) in 1922.
Sue Boone (b.1934)
1934Sue Boone, artist, b.1934, London, Ontario.
Gillian Saward (1934-1983)
1934Gillian Saward, artist, b.1934, Maidstone, England (d.1983, Toronto, Ontario).
Bernice Vincent (1934-2016)
1934Bernice Vincent, artist, b.1934, Woodstock, Ontario (d.2016, London, Ontario).
Doreen Lindsay (b.1934)
1934Doreen Lindsay, artist, educator, and curator, b.1934, Tillsonburg, Ontario.
WORLD: World War Two Begins
1939World War Two (1939-1945) begins.
LONDON, ONTARIO: London First Permanent Art Gallery
1940Built using funds from a bequest by Elsie Perrin Williams (1878-1934), the Elsie Perrin Williams Memorial Art Gallery and Museum (the old Central Library at 305 Queen’s Avenue) opens. The building was London, Ontario’s first permanent art gallery space.
Elsie P. Williams: London Library and Art Gallery
1940Funds from a bequest by Elsie Perrin Williams (1878-1934) are used to build the Elsie Perrin Williams Memorial Art Gallery and Museum (The old Central Library at 305 Queen’s Avenue), London, Ontario’s first permanent art gallery.
Thelma Rosner (b.1941)
1941Thelma Rosner, artist and educator, b.1941, Toronto, Ontario.
Madeline Lennon (b.1942)
1942Madeline Lennon, art supporter, educator, author, and curator, b.1942, New York, New York.
LONDON, ONTARIO: McIntosh Gallery Opens
1942The McIntosh Gallery was the first art gallery to be established in a Canadian university. The building was officially opened on June 26, 1942 with a display of 31 paintings by Canadian war artists from the collection of the National Gallery of Canada. The gallery was built with a substantial bequest from the Estate of Wilhelmina Morris McIntosh in the memory of her husband, J. Gordon McIntosh. a former Winnipeg businessman.
Flora Tripp (1943-2015)
1943Flora Tripp, art supporter, collector, and donor, b.1943, Ottawa, Ontario (d.2015, London, Ontario).
Johnnene Maddison (b.1943)
1943Johnnene Maddison, artist, educator, and curator, b.1943, Detroit, Michigan.
Agneta Dolman (b.1944)
1944Agneta Dolman, artist and educator, b.1944, Stockholm, Sweden.
WORLD: World War Two Ends
1945World War Two (1939-1945) ends.
Jamelie Hassan (b.1948)
1948Jamelie Hassan, artist, b.1948, London, Ontario.
kerry ferris (1949-2016)
1949kerry ferris, artist, b.1949, London, Ontario (d.2016, London, Ontario).
Margaret Rossiter (b.1949)
1949Margaret Rossiter, artist, b.1949. London, Ontario.
Catherine Morrisey (b.1949)
1949Catherine Morrisey, artist, b.1949, Brampton, Ontario.
Wanda Sawicki (b.1951)
1951Wanda Sawicki, artist, writer, and art therapist, b.1951, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Colette Urban (1952-2013)
1952Colette Urban, artist, b.1952, Denver, Colorado (d.2013, McIvers, Newfoundland).
Sophie Skaith (b.1952)
1952Sophie Skaith, art supporter, b.1952, Toronto, Ontario.
Rosemary Sloot (b.1952)
1952Rosemary Sloot, artist, b.1952, Simcoe, Ontario.
Fern Helfand (b.1952)
1952Fern Helfand, artist, b.1952, Toronto, Ontario.
Lynn Donoghue (1953-2003)
1953Lynn Donoghue, artist, b.1953, Red Lake, Ontario (d.2003, Toronto, Ontario).
Kirtley Jarvis (b.1953)
1953Kirtley Jarvis, artist, b.1953, Balmertown, Ontario.
Shelley Niro (b.1954)
1954Shelley Niro, artist, b.1954, Niagara Falls, New York.
dlmorrow (b.1956)
1956dlmorrow (Diane Lynn Morrow), artist, b.1956, Toronto, Ontario.
Josy Britton (b.1956)
1956Josy Britton, artist, b.1956.
Jan Shepherd McKee (b.1956)
1956Jan Shepherd McKee, artist, b.1956.
LONDON, ONTARIO: The London Art Gallery Establishes a Women's Committee
1956Eleanor Somerville and Josephine Wilcox organized and launched the London Art Gallery’s Women’s Committee. Among the initial 20 members were Flora Douglas (“Dougie”) Betts, Shirley Brickenden, Lenore Crawford, Mackie Cryderman, Nancy Geddes Poole, and Elizabeth “Woody” Moore.
Sara Hartland-Rowe (b.1958)
1958Sara Hartland-Rowe, artist, b.1958.
Donna Andreychuk (b.1959)
1959Donna Andreychuk, artist, b.1959, Kenilworth, Ontario.
Kelly Greene (b.1962)
1962Kelly Greene, artist, b.1962, Buffalo, New York.
Kelly Wood (b.1962)
1962Kelly Wood, artist and educator, b.1962 Toronto, Ontario.
CANADA: Jean Sutherland Boggs, The First Female Director of a National Art Gallery
1966Jean Sutherland Boggs (1922-2014) is named Director of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, and becomes the first woman globally to achieve such a position.
Melanie Townsend (1968-2018)
1968Melanie Townsend, curator, b.1968, Windsor, Ontario (d.2018, London, Ontario).
Anna P. Baker: Western University's Alumni Association Holds Its First Solo Art Exhibition
1968Anna P. Baker’s work is showcased in the Western University Alumni Association’s first art exhibition to focus on a single artist.
Jill Price (b.1969)
1969Jill Price, artist, curator, and educator, b. 1969, Toronto, Ontario.
CANADA: Joyce Wieland, The National Gallery of Canada Holds its First Solo Art Exhibition of Work by a Living Female Canadian Artist
1971Joyce Wieland’s (1931-1998) 1971 exhibition is the first solo exhibition featuring the work of a living female Canadian artist to be held at the National Gallery of Canada.
Kim Neudorf (b.1977)
1977Kim Neudorf, artist, b.1977, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
LONDON, ONTARIO: London Regional Art Gallery is Established
1980London’s art gallery shifts from its original location at the Elsie Perrin Williams Memorial Building (the old Central Library) to a new location at the Forks of the Thames River (421 Ridout Street North), and becomes known as the London Regional Art Gallery (LRAG).
Angie Quick (b.1989)
1989Angie Quick, artist, b. 1989.
LONDON, ONTARIO: The London Regional Art and Historical Museums
1989The London Public Library’s museum division and the London Regional Art Gallery combine, forming the London Regional Art and Historical Museums (LRAHM).
LONDON, ONTARIO: The London Regional Art Gallery and Historical Museums becomes Museum London
2001The London Regional Art and Historical Museums (LRAHM) changes its name to Museum London.
LONDON, ONTARIO: The London Central Library moves from the Elsie Perrin Williams Memorial Building
2002The Central branch of the London Public Library relocates from the Elsie Perrin Williams Memorial Art Gallery and Museum building to its current location at 251 Dundas Street.
