The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre is delighted to be the next stop for Willy Waterton’s photography show “Salt of the Earth: People of Bruce & Grey Counties”.

For Waterton, “Salt of the Earth” means a decent, dependable, unpretentious person. Growing up and spending his life along the Niagara Escarpment in Bruce and Grey Counties provided Willy with a deep love for the area and a desire to protect and share this special place. This affection is captured in his remarkable show of portraiture work that salutes the hardworking people of this region.

“We’re very pleased to be a host site for Willy’s traveling exhibition,” says Cathy McGirr, Director Museum & Cultural Services. “Willy’s work showcasing the people of Bruce and Grey Counties is even more relevant during our current pandemic situation as we reflect on the industrious people in the region.”

“Salt of the Earth: People of Bruce & Grey Counties” opened at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound in January of 2019. Followed by touring on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry for two seasons and opening at Regis College, University of Toronto in early March, before COVID-19 closed Ontario. This tour was made possible by funding received from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce.

Willy Waterton spent 35 years of his career at the Owen Sound Sun Times as a photojournalist, winning over 100 provincial and national awards including the Ontario News Photographers’ Association Photographer of the Year.

“Salt of the Earth: People of Bruce & Grey Counties is a compelling touring photography project that highlights over 40 years of environmental portraiture work by Willy Waterton.” expresses Heather McLeese, Curator of Contemporary Arts, Tom Thomson Art Gallery. “This selection of 20 photographs challenges the historical notions of portrait photography by examining through a contemporary lens, the ordinary – yet extraordinary.”

“Salt of the Earth: People of Bruce & Grey Counties” will be on display from October 3, 2020 until December 31, 2020. The BCM&CC is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To learn more about this exhibit, events, and programs visit brucemuseum.ca.

source: media release, Bruce County Museum