"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" ~ #33 ~ SYD MEAD

Next up in my, "Where Are They Now?" series is PHS alum, Syd Mead.

Sydney Jay Mead (July 18, 1933 – December 30, 2019) was an American industrial designer and neo-futurist - futurist concept artist, widely known for his designs for science-fiction films such as Blade Runner, Aliens and Tron. Mead has been described as, "the artist who illustrates the future" and "one of the most influential concept artists and industrial designers of our time.

Born on July 18th, 1933 in St Paul, Minnesota, Mead was a natural at drawing and encouraged by his art enthusiast, Baptist minister father. 'By the time I was four I was drawing cars with people and by 11 portraits of my uncle Henry which were actually quite good,' he recalled in an interview back in 2015.

Syd Mead was the first Visual Futurist in film history. He contributed designs to most major film studios and worked on such feature films as; Star Trek - The Motion Picture, Blade Runner, TRON, 2010, Short Circuit, Aliens, Time Cop, Johnny Mnemonic and Mission Impossible - 3.

Among his many clients and accomplishments Syd also did design work for; Ford Motor Company, U.S. Steel, and Philips Electronics.

Syd passed away peacefully at his home in Pasadena, CA on December 30, 2019 at the age of 86.

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" ~ #32 ~ JONATHAN VICKERS

Next up in my; "Where Are They Now?" series is: Jonathan Stewart Vickers, (October 29, 1926 – July 10, 2015)

Known professionally as Jon Vickers, he was a Canadian heldentenor. Often referred to as, "God's Tenor", Vickers was born into the musical family of William, a teacher and school principal, and Myrle (née Mossop). Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, he was the sixth in a family of eight children.

As a youth he sang in his father's church, and his initial intention was to study medicine. He worked on a neighbour's farm and acquired the muscular stature that characterized him.

During a semi-professional production his leading lady made a recording of his voice and sent it to The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He auditioned there with Every Valley Shall be Exalted and was offered a scholarship. In 1950, he moved to Toronto to study opera at The Royal Conservatory of Music.

In 1953 he married Henrietta (Hetti) Outerbridge. They had five children. After her death in 1991, he married Judith Stewart.

In 1957 Vickers joined London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden company. In 1960 he joined the Metropolitan Opera.

He became world-famous for a wide range of German, French, and Italian roles. Vickers' huge, powerful voice and solid technique met the demands of many French, German, and Italian roles. He was also highly regarded for his powerful stage presence and thoughtful characterizations. (Conversely, he was sometimes criticized for "scooping"—beginning a note below pitch and then sliding up to the correct pitch—and for "crooning".)

In 1968 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. Vickers received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts, in 1998.

Vickers further sang at the 'home' of Italian opera, Milan's La Scala, as well as in the major opera houses of Chicago, San Francisco, Vienna, and at the Salzburg Festival. He retired in 1988.

The Prairie connection comes in on a couple of levels. Jonathan's parents, William and Myrle joined the staff of Prairie College where William (or Bill as he was known then) was hoping to teach. Things did not go according to plan and he ended up working in the shipping department. Jonathan's sister, Marg, married Alf Bayne who became the founder and long time director of Camp Homewood with whom Prairie has had a long association.

Vickers died of Alzheimer's disease on July 10, 2015 in Ontario, Canada.

(Thanks to Wikipedia for the help on this)

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" ~ #31 ~ DAVE STEVENS

Next up in my, "Where Are They Now" series is Prairie College alum (Grad of '79) and author, Dave Stevens.

When I was in 9th grade there was a group of, "creatives" who thought it would be a great idea to form a band outside shall we say the confines of the rules at the time. I got to hang around these guys when they would utilize the recording studio after hours. This was when I met Dave Stevens.

After graduation, Dave was involved in mission work in Mexico for a number of years before joining the United States Military.

Dave first began his military career as a Field Artilleryman. Once he realized the potentials that the Army Criminal Investigation Division held, Dave applied for and was accepted into their Special Agent Program where he served for seven years, posted as Personal Protection Detail to the Top Seven dignitaries in the Pentagon, plus their visiting counterparts, whenever they came into town. After this service Dave became a Warrant Officer" (when his 'writing career' was really tested).

It was in Warrant Officer School that he was given written assignments on the leadership styles of Civil War Generals - either side - it didn't matter. This whetted his appetite for all things "Civil War." Dave developed an interest in individuals, and incidents, who had lesser, or no known levels of involvement in, the Civil War.

This experience has has evolved into his passion for researching historical evidence, and putting pen-to-paper. The results has been the publication of numerous, non-fiction biographies.

Dave and his wife Lynn are retired and live in VA, USA.

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" ~ #30 ~ ROY and NORMA (NEILSEN) BENNETT

Next up in my, "Where Are They Now" series, is a special; "two fer" featuring two Prairie Alum. When we were first married we lived in a 4-plex where Roy and Norma Bennett also lived while they both attended school.

Norma has gone on to be an accomplished author, performing artist and speaker. If you are looking for a gift for your children or grandchildren check out Norma's series of children's books. Roy and Norma have journeyed together down some tough paths, most notably the loss of their stillborn son, Levi.

Norma has put together a book and symposium entitled Wednesday Mourning: A Theology Of Grief which has been meaningful to many travelling a similar road.

One thing I did not know until recently is how talented Roy "Stoker" Bennett is at art. We dubbed Roy this for his love of all things bonfire and campfire. Check out some of Roy's art in the link in the comments section.

Our family also vacationed with the Bennetts for several summers and believe me, there will be more stories yet to come!

www.bennett-projects.com

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" ~ #29 ~ VICTOR McQUADE

 

Next up in my; "Where Are They Now?" series is Prairie alum, pianist and recording artist, Victor McQuade.

Victor started his career at age 10 when his pragmatic Mennonite mother started him playing in church on a weekly basis. That naturally lead him to PBI for the music program and the wonderful experiences with Men of Song and the quartet. While at Prairie he was privileged to study under Kathleen Dearing.

After graduation, VIctor started the music program at Institut Biblique Bethel in Sherbrooke. QC. During his time there, he edited and published a French hymnal that was used in most of the Evangelical churches in Quebec as well as in other places around the francophone world.

Victor carried on the tradition of touring with a vocal ensemble for the Bible school. All of his experience touring for Prairie served him well. At the same time, he was music director in a local Baptist church.

In Victor's words, "Some of the best years of my music career were the last couple of years at PBI when I was with the Men of Song and Men of Song Quartet."

Victor then went on to work for Word Music as a sales rep in Ontario. During that time he recorded an album of solo piano for easy listening and meditation for the French market in Quebec. Key Impressions 1 went so well that he recorded volume 2 and 3 as well as Peaceful Praise and a Christmas album.

Victor currently participates in music in his local church as well as doing some composing and musical arrangements for other musicians. He often get requests for his music but now most of the time he just gives it away.

Victor and his wife have 3 children and one grandchild and live in Ontario, Canada.

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" ~ #28 ~ BIKA (Paul Steinhauer)

Next up in my; "Where Are They Now" series is Prairie alum and former staff member who in the art community is known as Bika.

The artist’s name, BIKA, was given to Paul Steinhauer as a boy growing up in the Caribbean island of Haiti. It means “aggie” the shooter in the game marbles. Because Paul’s head when shaved for rainy season always gleamed brighter than those of his boyhood friends, he earned the nickname, “marble head or shooter head”. In 1990 when Bika returned to Haiti after the tragic loss of his only child and daughter in a car accident, his brother suggested that he paint as therapy for healing from grief.

A graphic designer for 25 years, Bika turned to fine art in order to celebrate the beautiful life and legacy left by his sixteen year old who loved art and dancing. Since 1990 Bika has enlarged his prolific genres, becoming an acclaimed Canadian Caribbean artist.

I have known Paul since the early eighties where he spent countless hours at our kitchen table churning out articles and copy on our old typewriter late into the night and sometimes the wee hours of the morning. I also spent many hours with him in the art department helping with the layout on the Overcomer and Young Pilot.

In addition to Paul being able to beat me in a 100 yard foot race, he designed the logo for my very first, "real" recording studio ~ Suite Sound Studios. I am also honoured to own one of Bika's original paintings.

Paul lives in California where he is still active as an artist.

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW" ~ #27 ~ GERRY THOMPSON

Continuing on in my little series, "Where Are They Now", today I am featuring Gerry Thompson. Former alum and staff member at Prairie College, Gerry is an award winning artist whose works are found all over the world. She has been featured in books, magazines and gallery shows. Gerry was good friends with both my Mom and my mother in law and when Catherine Kirk Rendall and I were married she gifted us with a lovely print of some prairie elevators. I am not an art critic but in my opinion Gerry's treatment of water, glass and porcelain is 2nd to none. Many times you will think you are looking at a photograph. 

(Note: many of the folks I will be featuring are of the artsy variety . . . musicians, authors, painters, etc. as that is my interest and what I follow. If you can offer support by liking them on social media, purchasing some of their products and spreading the word, I am sure that would be much appreciated!)  

Check out Gerry's website below . . . www.gerrythompson.ca

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" #26 ~ J. DOUGLAS THOMPSON

Next up in my, "Where Are They Now?" series is former staff kid, photographer, graphics designer and painter, J. Douglas Thompson.

Although Doug is a "little" older than me, our families have some strong connections going back many years. Doug's father, John served at Prairie College in marketing and development and was a man of considerable art talent himself. This gene has passed on to his children. My Dad worked with John and has often told me that he was, "way ahead of his time" in his ideas for branding, advertising and marketing. My father in law, Doug Kirk, produced a radio program with John back in the day and found him a delight to work with.

Back to Doug . . . Doug's use of light in his paintings and specifically his skies is absolutely stunning! Many of Doug's paintings incorporate the themes of storms and of solitary trees battling the winds against incredible odds. This is in part a reflection of Doug's own life and journey and the fact that there have been more than a few dark days, trauma and trials that have been dealt his way.

Doug also has a blog entitled: Reflections of a Wandering Artist.

From Doug's blog: "Reflections of a Wandering Artist are musings of a struggling wayfarer who has slipped, sipped and swallowed at the rim of life's light, dark storms, and misty shadows. Beauty and brokenness, daily fare of all earths fellow pilgrims draws him to consider that light demands darkness to truly sparkle. These thoughts are primarily for the encouragement and kind cajoling of fellow strugglers, that hope and joy are found in silence, solitude, and surrendered thankfulness at our Creator's lap, Abba."

Hot off the press is Doug's brand new coffee table book entitled: "Radiance Through The Rain" of which I am proud to say I have a signed copy and value it greatly.

If you are ever in the Prince Edward County region of Ontario, be sure and stop in and visit Doug and his gallery.

Check out the website of Artist: J. Douglas Thompson and explore some of his paintings and photography: jdthompson.net

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" - #25 - KELVIN SAWATZKY

 

Next up in my, "Where Are They Now?" series is former staff kid and PHS alum, Kelvin Sawatzky. Sawatzky is a Saskatchewan born landscape and portrait artist who has been painting full-time since 1975.

He first began visiting and painting the Fort McMurray area in 1978; along with his wife Marjorie and their two sons, Jackson and Sawyer, the region has been their full-time home since 1985.

Sawatzky works mostly in oils and many of his canvases feature the lakes, the rivers, and the forests of the region. His work has been exhibited in numerous individual and group shows and is represented in collections, both private and public, throughout the world.

In addition to operating his studio/gallery, Sawatzky also conducts private art classes. Currently his paintings can be seen at his studio at the River City Centre. Kelvin also has a gallery in Edmonton.