MPP invites visitors to Sloot collection during Dutch Heritage Month
QUEEN’S PARK – Soon after the raising of the Dutch flag at the Ontario Legislature to recognize Dutch Heritage Month, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett stood in the House to invite people to the Norfolk Arts Centre for a must-see display reflecting the struggle and experience of Dutch immigrants to Canada.
“It’s titled Immigrant, by Rosemary Sloot,” Barrett explained. “The exhibition should appeal to anyone who wants to understand the eternal pull the immigrant experiences—between old and new and between there and here—regardless of ethnicity.”
“We should be thankful to Ms. Sloot for rescuing a forgotten era, a forgotten tragedy in many cases, from obscurity,” added Barrett.
The MPP went on to note that the Sloot display features depictions of items that will bring back memories for those of Dutch origin.
“Ms. Sloot’s collection encompasses the dress, the objects, the letters and the Dutch post-war images—the years when every Dutch family had one of those paraffin burners that we see with the inscriptions ‘Origineel’ and ‘Ned. Fabrikaat’,” described Barrett. “This visual story of Dutch immigration is a must-see. I invite all to visit the gallery during Dutch Heritage Month.”
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For more information contact Toby Barrett 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629
Ontario Legislative Assembly Hansard
NORFOLK ARTS CENTRE EXHIBITION Mr. Toby Barrett: There’s a meticulous collection of paintings and drawings at the Norfolk Arts Centre in Simcoe that all should see, particularly those of Dutch heritage. It’s titled Immigrant, by Rosemary Sloot. Like many Dutch families in the post-war decades, the Sloots travelled to Canada on the Waterman, a Dutch immigrant ship, sailed from Rotterdam to Canada. They arrived in 1952. Rosemary was born just two months later. The exhibition should appeal to anyone who wants to understand the eternal pull the immigrant experiences—between old and new and between there and here—regardless of ethnicity. In her highly accomplished and at times almost photographically realistic style, Ms. Sloot’s paintings bring the emotions of the immigrant and his burden. We should be thankful to Ms. Sloot for rescuing a forgotten era, a forgotten tragedy in many cases, from obscurity. Ms. Sloot’s collection encompasses the dress, the objects, the letters and the Dutch post-war images—the years when every Dutch family had one of those paraffin burners that we see with the inscriptions “Origineel” and “Ned. Fabrikaat” on the burner, speak volumes. Rosemary’s exhibitions speaks to common universal themes of loss, uprootedness, family, sacrifice, persistence, hope and faith. This visual story of Dutch immigration is a must-see. I invite all to visit the gallery during Dutch Heritage Month.