By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The LaSalle Branch of the Essex County Library is pleased to present the return of a collection of paintings by renowned LaSalle artist William Stidworthy from June 2nd until June 28, 2025.
Generously loaned to the LaSalle branch of the Essex County Library by local collector and enthusiast Stan Bergeron, many of the Stidworthy collection of paintings depict landscapes in and around Windsor-Essex and recalls our regions rich history.
For over 40 years Bergeron has collected water colour and oil paintings of rural landscapes and landmarks that he has seen as a child and young family man living in LaSalle.
Stan Bergeron shows one of many of his watercolours and oil paintings by local LaSalle artist W.F. Stidworthy. Photo sby Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Today, Bergeron owns over 230 Stidworthy oils and water colours, probably the world’s largest collection. He is hoping to one day pass the collection onto the Town of LaSalle.
Stidworthy was born in Torquay, Devon, U.K., in 1889, the son of a son of a son of a painter. He studied art at the Torquay School of Art and the Polytechnic School in Chelsea. At 23, he emigrated to Canada, first to Alberta to try farming, then to British Columbia, where he studied and worked with such prominent artists as John William Beatty, Carl Fellman Schaefer and Group of Seven member Francis (Franz or Frank) Johnston.
Stidworthy came to Canada in 1912 to further study and work under such famous artists as William Beatty, Ralph MacMillan, Franz Johnston (of the Group of Seven) and Carl Schaefer. Many of his landscapes of the 1920s and 1930s show the influence of the Group of Seven.
“I really want to donate the collection to the Town of LaSalle so we can perpetuate his legacy…paintings don’t die, they last forever.” said Bergeron.
You can find out more about Stan Bergeron and his collection of William F. Stidworthy’s paintings online. Or contact Stan at 519-971-0044 – he is always looking to add to his collection.
The exhibition runs June 2 until June 28 at the LaSalle Branch of the Essex County Library, 5950 Malden Rd inside the LaSalle Civic Centre.
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