Tag: art

From the Vault Friday: Wanted Poster

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Image: SPRA 002.04.06.02

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a poster from the Beth Sheehan fonds (fonds 002).

The poster is advertising the Stage Door Theatre production of The Balled of Knobby Clarke, on April 21, 1976. The artist is Tim Heimdal.

Read more about the Beth Sheehan fonds (fonds 002) here.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Sweet Adelines

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Image: SPRA fonds 038

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a playbill from the Sweet Adelines fonds (fonds 038).

In 1976, a Grande Prairie Chapter of the Sweet Adelines was initiated by Jean Duffy, who had been a member of a chapter in Edmonton but was now resident in Grande Prairie. By 1980, the group was a member of the International Sweet Adelines. To earn a chapter, the group had to have 20 members and prove, via singing competitions, that they had mastered the unique Barbershop style and sound. They had to show that they could organize events and portray the proper Sweet Adelines image and standards, as well as raise the funds to cover the costs of instructors, equipment, costumes and travel.

Over the 19 years for which they existed, the club provided entertainment for the community as a service or in fund-raising concerts, and participated in local events such as the County Parade and the Festival of Carols. They especially enjoyed singing in senior citizens’ lodges. As a chapter, they performed at regional competitions, attended other competitions in the States and Canada, and even sent some members to international conventions.

The group swelled to a total of 28 members, but dwindled in the early 90s. In 1994, with a membership of 12, funding and members became increasingly difficult to attract. The chapter dissolved in 1995.

Read more about the Sweet Adelines fonds (fonds 038) here.

View a selection of our photos on Alberta On Record.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign to highlight interesting materials from the Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Floral Sketches

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Image: SPRA 547.05

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features pencil sketches from the Olaf Vekved fonds (Fonds 547).

Olaf Vekved (Wekved) was born in Norway, and came to Canada in 1910. He arrived with his brother George and settled at Tofield, Alberta, where another brother, Ingebrigt, had settled in 1909. In 1913, George moved north to the Peace Country. Olaf followed in 1915, but chose land further north, on NW 5-75-8-W6 in the Northfield area, where a number of other Norwegian families were settling. They were joined that same year by brother Ingebrigt, who had skied up over the Edson Trail, and filed north east of La Glace. In 1924-1925, Olaf’s father, and then the rest of the family, also arrived from Norway and settled in the La Glace district. It appears that Olaf never married. From the records, we see that he was a gifted artist. He farmed in the Northfield district until ca. 1960. He died in 1969, at the age of 82, and is buried in Norden Cemetery, 1 mile east of La Glace.

The records were deposited in South Peace Regional Archives in 2013 by Judy Hopkins who found them in an old farmhouse they purchased two miles north and 2 miles east of La Glace. It appears this home once belonged to the Vekved family, and it is presumed the records were given to the family after Olaf’s death in 1969.

Read more about the Olaf Vekved fonds (fonds 547) here.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.