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September 9, 2005History in the Streets of
Mattawa
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Ghosts of times past in
Mattawa stand guard on the streets of Mattawa and environs in the form of
statues of famous people from local history. To promote the town, about five
years ago the Chamber of Commerce was brainstorming possible projects when a
statue of Joe Montferrand better know by the likes of Stompin’ Tom Connors and
others as Mufferaw Joe was proposed for Explorer’s Point. With support from
several key players the statue was funded and Peter Cianfriani was appointed to
carve it. Ten 9 foot statues of people who had a strong presence in Mattawa
were subsequently proposed and funded for development. The initial ten statues
were completed, and 12 more were approved for funding in 2004.
All of the statues are now in
place including the 17’ Joe Mufferaw statue as reported here recently. A plaque
on each carving gives the name of the carving and a description of the life of
the personality has been or will be added nearby. A self directed walking tour
booklet is in preparation so people can read a brief history of each personality
as they view each statue.
The choice of what
personalities were chosen from the many from Mattawa’s past was done by
committee and by various businesses that paid a fee for the privilege of having
one of the statues of their choice at their place of business.
Peter Cianfriani became ill
after starting work on Joe Mufferaw and well know carver Garry Johnston was
brought on board for the remainder of the project. Clermont Duval played a
major role along with Garry by designing the statues and modeling and carving
the heads that were installed on the statues. Clermont’s brother Gaetan
volunteered many hours of his time overseeing many administrative details. Of
the many helpers Bob Rowlandson in particular made a noteworthy contribution.
Other financial support came
from FedNor, The Town of Mattawa, the Trillium Foundation, The Mattawa Forestry
Committee, Tembec, the Chamber of Commerce, and the businesses that acquired
each statue. The project has been so successful that there is talk of further
statues.
Hundreds of board feet of
quality pine from Tembec were glued with many gallons of glue. Clermont Duval
worked on his own with the heads and Garry Johnston spent about a month on each
statue in his studio. When finished the statues were stained and moved to the
various locations. One statue went to Bonfield as a part of their First Spike
Project and one went to Algonquin North Outfitters at Kiosk Road (Hwy 634) and
Hwy 17.
Some of the statues were of
famous explorers and voyageurs who travelled through and stopped at Mattawa
going back to the initial white man Etienne Brule and soon followed by Samuel de
Champlain. Many of the statues are generic and represent in general a Voyageur,
a Metis, Pioneers (Josephine and Joseph), and a Railroad Worker. The explorers
beside Brule and Champlain were Radisson and Groseilliers, Brebeuf, Radisson,
Mackenzie, Jolliette and laVerendry. Indian Chiefs Antoine Kiwiwisens and
Amable du Fond (#52) are represented as is the Roman Catholic Church by Sister
St. Alexis the Mother Superior and Founder of the hospital.
Of the most recent
personalities from the many Mattawa has fostered the project includes Grey Owl
and Anahareo (Gertrude Bernard) (11) and the well know painter Dordon Dufoe
(12). The number after the names indicates full articles I have written on these
individuals and which appear on my website
www.pastforward.ca. For more Clermont Duval drawings and photos of carvings
check the Mattawa District Chamber of Commerce (MDCOC) website
www.mdcoc.com/projects. For the story of Joe Mufferaw see article 64. Many
towns have fine single historical showpieces, and others have beautiful murals
etc. but none come close to the scale of the 23 Mattawa sculptures. Not only do
they recognize these remarkable people and tell people about them but they will
undoubtedly bring more people to this beautiful historical community.
For further production details
contact Clermont Duval’s Gallery in Mattawa or Garry Johnston at The Stroke of
Genius Art Shop in Callander.
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