City of Brantford and Glenhyrst Art Gallery unveil portrait of Beloved Lord Mayor Walter Gretzky

BRANTFORD, ON – Today, the City of Brantford and Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant were proud to unveil a new portrait of the late Walter Gretzky by renowned Portrait Artist Christina Sealey. The portrait has been installed inside the main entrance of the newly renovated clubhouse at the Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course, Banquet and Learning Centre at 320 Balmoral Drive in Brantford. A small, private unveiling attended by Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, Ward 2 Councillors John Utley and John Sless was held for members of the Gretzky family and the jury involved in the artist selection.

The portrait is painted on linen canvas using oil paints, with a final framed size of 51” x 72”. The golf course, formerly known as Northridge Municipal Golf Course, was renamed in Walter Gretzky’s honour in 2020 to recognize Brantford’s beloved Lord Mayor Walter Gretzky and his countless contributions to the community.

Endeared to many across the country and in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario, Walter Gretzky selflessly dedicated countless hours to coaching youth and supporting Brantford’s local charities. Walter is also remembered for his passion for golf and the legacy of the Walter Gretzky CNIB Golf Tournament first held in Brantford in1995, and eventually held in eight cities across Canada.

A call for artists was released in November 2020 with a deadline for applications on January 8, 2021. The jury received an unprecedented 120+ applications from artists across Canada. The artist was selected through a juried competition that was held virtually and consisted of five voting members. After three hours of deliberations, the jury unanimously selected Christina Sealey, a renowned Portrait Artist who received her Master of Fine Arts from the School of Drawing and Painting in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Sealey has shown her work in exhibitions and collections across Canada from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Vancouver, British Columbia and overseas in London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland. Sealey comes highly referred from previous commissions she was awarded and her quality of work will serve as a deserving and fitting legacy of Walter and his many significant contributions to a grateful community.

Quotes

“As our City’s beloved Lord Mayor, worldwide ambassador of hockey, community champion, coiner of the phrase ‘Brantford…The Centre of the Universe’ and a special member of our community who will be missed beyond measure, there is no one who deserves this honour more. This portrait of Walter that beautifully captures his altruistic spirt will be a permanent focal point of this clubhouse and the aptly named Walter Gretzky Municipal golf course.”

– Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis

“Glenhyrst was thrilled to assist the City of Brantford in finding the right artist to honour Walter Gretzky, a great local hero, and to work with Christina to bring her beautiful artwork to Brantford.”

–  Ana Olson, Gallery Director at Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant

“I was thrilled to learn that I had been selected to paint Walter Gretzky’s portrait! Growing up with my brother playing hockey from a young age, I was immersed in the legends of Wayne and Walter Gretzky. It was a huge honour to paint a Canadian icon who has been an inspiration locally and internationally. A much loved and respected gentleman, he contributed in countless ways to the community and charities in the city of Brantford."

– Christina Sealey, Artist

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Media Contact:
Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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