Long lost RFM McInnis' painting part of Glenbow "Recent Acquisitions" show

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Collection of Glenbow

RFM McInnis "The Demise of Seventeenth Avenue" 1981

RFM McInnis "The Demise of Seventeenth Avenue" 1981

Andrew Mayberry at Mayberry Fine Art in Winnipeg first received word that the painting, thought lost for the last 33 years, had been discovered in Yellowknife. He contacted the artist, who is represented by Mayberry, and the recovery process was started.

The 12-metre-long painting, contains more than 60 portraits of artists from Calgary’s “boom” era arts district, 17th Avenue, just as it was changing.

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Collection of Glenbow

RFM McInnis "The Demise of Seventeenth Avenue" (detail) 1979

RFM McInnis "The Demise of Seventeenth Avenue" (detail) 1979

RFM McInnis of Winnipeg, painted it in 1981 at a time when the 17th AVENUE ART SCENE was evolving due to development. Painted from life, one figure at a time, in a coach house studio behind 17th Avenue, it depicted many of the noted artists, dealers, framers, and patrons of the time, some since deceased. The historic painting is now in Calgary’s Glenbow Museum’s permanent collection.

The painting will form part of Glenbow's Recent Acquisitions exhibition opening March 5 and running through May 22.

Separate exhibitions of McInnis' work will also be opening at Masters Gallery in Calgary on March 5 and at The Front Gallery in Edmonton on March 7.