Gibson Gallery features area’s marine history

by Adam Gault

A new exhibit at Amherstburg’s Gibson Gallery seeks to showcase the town’s marine and naval history through a collection of artifacts, art, and photographs, all depicting more than 200-years of naval history on the Detroit River.

Running Thursdays through Sundays, until October 21, visitors will have the opportunity to learn how the naval industry shaped the Town of Amherstburg throughout the years, as well as hear firsthand stories from crew members of McQueen Marine Limited’s tugboat, “Atomic” every Saturday and Sunday, between 2 and 4 p.m.

“It was such a big part of the town, and a lot of people don’t really know that,” Gibson Gallery Docent, Mia Deluca, said of the Gallery’s decision to focus on naval history for the month’s exhibit. “It was such an important part of Amherstburg’s economy, playing a vital role in sea travel.”

Much of the works featured in the exhibit were donated from private collections of area residents with either a connection or a passion for local naval history, which includes paintings, drawings, photographs, ship models, as well as ship bells, telescopes, and lanterns, dating back to the 19th century.

“A lot of the write-ups we got from information from the [museum] President just sitting down and talking to the guys that worked [on the ships],” Deluca said. “Hearing their stories and getting all the facts right from them, the source.”

As part of the Gallery’s mandate to exhibit only local works, Deluca said she believes the Gallery can play an important role not just exhibiting local art, but also local history, and being a proud supporter in maintaining that critical link to the region’s past.”

“I think it’s important for people to know the history, too,” Deluca explained. “Being able to display history from something that was so long ago that played such a vital role in Amherstburg’s economy, I think that’s why we would be the best place to exhibit that.”

The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg.

For more information, visit gibsonartgallery.com