Ruth Gonor who, with her husband Dr. Allan Gonor, was instrumental in the establishment of the Allen Sapp Gallery passed away in Vancouver last week. In 1988, shortly after the death of her husband, Ruth Gonor made a significant donation to the City of North Battleford consisting of 80 original paintings by world-renowned Cree artist Allen Sapp. This donation formed the basis of the Allen Sapp Gallery’s collection, now known as the Gonor Collection. Following are thoughts from the current gallery curator, Leah Garven, and past curator, Dean Bauche.
I’d like to relay a time when I met Ruth Gonor at the Vancouver Museum during the Allen Sapp Gallery’s national touring art exhibition, Through the Eyes of the Cree: The Art of Allen Sapp. Ruth was delighted to give me a personal and private tour of the exhibition, which I was very honoured to receive. Ruth shared the history of many of the works in the exhibition. She wanted me to know the wonderful stories associated with each of the works such as how she remembered seeing a painting for the first time, her and her husband’s reactions to the paintings when Allen Sapp would reveal them, and the dialogue that occurred between Allen Sapp, Allen Gonor and herself. We buzzed around from painting to painting, as if she was seeing them for the first time, eager to tell me the background and to share her joy of seeing these masterpieces again. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I could immediately see that she was a person who was very warm and who encouraged others. She saw possibilities at every turn. I could readily imagine how she and Dr. Gonor welcomed people into their home and how they offered words of support to emerging artists.
It was apparent that each painting held a special and intrinsic memory for her and as I listened intently I became aware of how remarkable this woman really was. I became further aware of the significant role that she played in the tremendous story of friendship, and the legacy that unfolded because of it. I observed that Ruth was kind, elegant, gracious and bright. She was a determined person who made certain to follow through on her plans.
Ruth drew my attention to one painting in particular, “Baby is Sleeping.” She said, “I want you to know, that I chose that one.” She explained the minute she saw the painting she connected with it and she made the decision instantly to purchase it solely on her own without anyone else’s input. She was very proud of this and I believe to her it was an affirmation of some kind. The painting, which is a fan favourite of Allen Sapp audiences, features a smiling elderly woman who is cuddling a small, happy baby. The popularity of “Baby is Sleeping” is due to its maternal theme of comfort, nurturing and love, themes which attracted Ruth Gonor to the painting, and qualities, which I now attribute to Ruth Gonor.
Leah Garven
It was with deep sadness that I heard of the recent passing of Ruth Gonor in Vancouver.
Although Ruth left the Battlefords some years ago (10 – 12) she remained interested in and in touch with Allen Sapp and his wife, gallery staff and friends over the years.
It was the vision of both Ruth and Allan Gonor that the creation of a world class gallery to honour the art of their friend Allen Sapp should be realized in North Batleford.
Over the years significant collecting institutions like the Canadian Museum of Civilization courted the Gonors in the hope their collection would eventually grace the walls of their national gallery.
The decade I had to get to know Ruth after the creation of the Allen Sapp Gallery helped me to see just why keeping the collection at home was important to them. Both Allan and Ruth Gonor, along with their children, Saul, Lisa and David, were deeply connected to our community. Ruth, a social worker, and Allan, a medical doctor, both daily reached out to all aspects of their community and society. There were no barriers or pretense. Their home became a place of welcome for hundreds of visitors over the years including busloads of school children who came to discover both art and culture in their “informal museum.”
Some visitors were the queen’s representatives, others ambassadors but the vast majority were ordinary people who found in their hospitality an environment that celebrated culture, art and life. Among the list of visitors were fledgling and emerging artists and writers who found in their company encouragement and a deep belief in the value and importance of their craft. Over the years many of these artists became significant in their community and country. They included Allen Sapp, Caroline Bonaies, Henry Beaudrey, W.P. Kinsella, David Rubin and Abraham Anghik Ruben to mention a few.
In many ways Ruth was the one who made it all possible. The ability to create a place of welcome while keeping so many other balls in the air was remarkable. Ruth was an exceptional person. She was confident, humble, knew her own mind and was comfortable in her own skin. Her honesty, wisdom and receptiveness to others was refreshing.
She will be truly missed.
Dean Bauche
