The Great Hurrah - William Brownridge
2:00pm
Calgary and Canada's Heart of Hockey Bill Brownridge was recently elected into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in the builder category. This Sports Hall of Fame honour is believed to be a first for a Canadian artist.
Bill's love for children and grassroots hockey is his driving force for five children's books that celebrate diversity and community values, including the best selling classic, Moccasin Goalie . His uniquely bright and joyful Van Gogh style paintings touch the hearts and hang in the homes of hockey lovers throughout the world.
Brownridge fell in love with hockey in the 1930's when his older brother and hero Bob played for the New York Rovers. Although he could never skate because he was born with spina bifida, in unusual circumstances Bill played in one single championship game in Moccasins, as a goalie! Bill pursued his love for hockey and sports through art and writing and attended the Provincial Institute of Art and Technology in Calgary (now SAIT) living here for nearly 60 years and raising a family of 5 in Bowness.
His painting envisioning the Olympics coming to Calgary and the Rockies was the cover of the 1963 Alberta telephone book. Then he became the exclusive artist for the winning 1988 Calgary Olympic bid and created 22 pages of original art for the official bid book. He designed the Flames uniforms from 1994-2000, supported the start up of Hockey Fights Cancer and his joyful and inspiring paintings were the catalyst for the creation of Hockey Day in Canada. Hockey Day in Canada, empowering grassroots hockey, began right here in Calgary at an ice level conversation at the Saddledome on a Saturday morning. Bill has supported many fundraising efforts across Canada.
Now, in his 90th year and celebrating 10 incredible decades of love for hockey does he have anything left in the tank for one big game? Yes, one more GREAT HURRAH because relentless energy is Bill's hallmark.
Please attend and join together in celebrating our love for hockey with a Canadian treasure, Bill Brownridge who is referred to as one of Canada's most iconic artists. His paintings and books will be available for sale.
The GREAT HURRAH will also include original and never before seen images derived from Bill's work in supporting the winning 1988 Calgary Olympic bid.
"Bill's personal story is also a testament to true perseverance, and he has been a source of constant inspiration for me. He truly is Canada's Heart of Hockey!" -Bill Hay,
Former President and CEO Calgary Flames,
Former Chairman and CEO Hockey Hall of Fame,
Foreward from A Prairie Boy by William Roy Brownridge, 2019.
This is your Calgary Minor Hockey invitation to the GREAT HURRAH. Please plan now to attend and RSVP to info@gibsonfineart.ca