The Story On now until October 25, 2009 - Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

The
Story
©Bob Brooks Photography
On now until October 25, 2009
w w w. a rt g a l l e ryo f n o va s c ot i a . c a

Synopsis
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is pleased to present A Happy Heart: The Maud Lewis Story on stage
only at the AGNS. This one-act, one-woman play tells the story of Maud’s life, her art and her legacy.
It provides a wonderful introduction to Canada’s most renowned folk artist through her life in rural
Nova Scotia, her marriage, and ultimately, the art created in her beautiful little house.
After the play visitors are encouraged to visit the Maud Lewis Gallery, where her Painted House is
on permanent display, and to experience first hand the creative genius of Nova Scotia’s most beloved
folk artist.
Greg Thompson
Writer, Director, Producer
Greg Thompson is a show business veteran of over 50 years and his more than 500 productions have
been produced around the world live and on television. His first and only visit to Halifax 18 months
ago resulted in a sold out 36 performance run of Marilyn Forever Blonde starring his wife Sunny
Thompson as Marilyn Monroe. While in the Maritimes Thompson discovered Nova Scotian troubadour
and amazing interpreter of Beatles music, Hal Bruce, and built his next hit production to showcase his
talent entitled All You Need is Love. During his six-week stay in Halifax, Thompson was also smitten
by the life and art of Maud Lewis and wrote A Happy Heart to celebrate her life. Thompson is thrilled
to be working with two of Nova Scotia’s finest actresses, Mary-Colin Chisholm and Carol Godsman.
Acknowedgements
Mary-Colin Chisholm and Carroll Godsman appear courtesy of the Canadian Actor’s Equity Association.
Both actors would like to extend thanks to the Barry Smith from the Public Archives of Nova Scotia and
Doug Kirby from the CBC Archives.

The
Story
Mary-Colin Chisholm
This spring Mary-Colin returned from appearing in Artistic Fraud’s
AfterImage at Harbourfront Toronto’s World Stage Series to play in Halifax
Theatre for Young People’s inaugural production of The Gravesavers. She
also performed her own piece, He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin at
this year’s SuperNova Festival. Other favourite productions include
How it Works, The Glace Bay Miner’s Museum and Talking Heads,
Miss Fozzard Finds her Feet. She has had continuing roles in the CBC
television series; Black Harbour, Pit Pony and Made in Canada. She
is a co-founder of LunaSea Theatre and Frankie Productions.
Carroll Godsman
A singer, actor and dancer since childhood, Carroll has performed
across Canada, and the United States, and throughout the Atlantic region
on stage, radio, television, and film. Atlantic audiences would have seen
her in Sincerely, a Friend...The Music of Leonard Cohen, and My Fair
Lady at Neptune Theatre, as Pa in A Maritime Way of Life and as Alice in
Sexy Laundry at Live Bait Theatre. She has also appeared in productions at
Eastern Front, Musgrave Road Theatre, Theatre Newfoundland-Labrador,
Theatre New Brunswick, and she spent five seasons at the Sephenville
Festival. Film credits include featured roles in Beefcake; Emily of New
Moon; and Snow Angels. Carroll also sings jazz, and her debut CD, Close
Your Eyes, garnered an ECMA nomination as Jazz Artist of the Year. She is
delighted to be spending this summer portraying Nova Scotia’s beloved folk
artist, and indomitable spirit, Maud Lewis.
Mary-Colin Chisholm and Carroll Godsman will share the role of Maud
Lewis and alternate performances throughout the schedule.

View her house...
After Maud’s death in 1970 and that of her husband,
Everett Lewis, nine years later, the lovingly painted
home that had served as Maud’s primary canvas began
to deteriorate. In reaction, a group of concerned citizens
from the Digby area started the Maud Lewis Painted
House Society; their only goal was to save this valued
landmark. The cost of such an ambitious undetaking
proved to be too much for the dedicated group and,
in 1984 the house was sold to the Province of Nova
Scotia. The delicate process of conservation and
restoration began in 1996, and the fully restored
house now holds a place of honour on permanent
display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
her art...
Maud Lewis began her artistic career by hand-drawing
Christmas cards that she sold to her husband’s customers
as he sold fish door to door. After success with this,
she started painting on various other surfaces such as
plank boards, cookie sheets, and eventually on every
available surface in their tiny home. Her work is typically
characterized by bright colours. All of Maud’s paintings
are quite small in scale and her technique consisted of first
drawing an outline and then applying paint directly out of
the tube, never mixing colours.
and her legacy...
only at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
View our collection of Maud Lewis products!
Located in the Gallery lobby
1723 Hollis Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3C8
902-424-7542