LEWISTON – Mercedes Gastonguay loves the traditions and history that are part of her Franco-American roots.
So much so, in fact, that her ancestors inspired her to create a 46- by 54-inch oil painting titled “A la mémoire de nos ancêstres (In Memory of Our Ancestors),” depicting scenes of their arrival from Canada and their life in Lewiston and Auburn.
“My grandparents came to Lewiston from Canada in 1922, because they felt that work was plentiful here in comparison to Canada at the time,” Gastonguay said in a prepared statement. “My maternal grandfather was a blacksmith in Canada, but his oldest sons and daughter could not find work. For this reason, they decided to move to Lewiston where they could find work in the mills or shoe shops.”
The faith, loyalty, work ethic, and perseverance demonstrated by Franco-Americans in difficult times – as well as their devotion to family – have set an example for future generations, she affirmed.
“Before starting this project, I had a vision of how I wanted to express what was in my heart,” Gastonguay said. “My goal was to effectively pay tribute to our Franco-American ancestors who have made our community what it is today. This was my way of saying, ‘Merci!'”
Scenes portraying everyday life are set on an old parchment map with the Androscoggin River surging throughout “A la mémoire de nos ancêstres.” In the upper left corner of the antique map are a Quebecois village and farmland. Also shown: a sugar shack resting on a maple leaf and the Canadian National Railroad meandering to the Auburn Trestle, where it culminates in a scene of immigrants arriving at the Grand Trunk Railway Station.
Scenes of Francos at work – their main focus and their reason for coming to L-A – are featured prominently. The Androscoggin River runs through scenes of toiling shoe shop workers and textile employees, dividing the industries unique to each of the Twin Cities. To the left of the river, in Auburn, are five shoe shops: Foss-Packard, Lunn and Sweet, Wise & Cooper, Fitz Brothers, and Cushman. In Lewiston, east of the Androscoggin, looms a colorful composite of the Libbey, Continental, Androscoggin, Bates, and Hill textile mills.
Sunlight focuses on a panoramic view of “Le Petit Canada,” where traditional family life is portrayed in a typical apartment. In this scene, the mother prepares dinner on a woodstove while children play on the bare wooden floor. Typical for the women of this culture, she remains at home to care for her children, prepare meals and maintain the household. A crucifix and a holy picture hang on the kitchen wall. These religious symbols were present in most homes, where it was common practice for families to kneel around the table in prayer.
Also depicted is the Dominican Block, founded in 1881, which was the first school serving Candian children. The building also provided a social center and a temporary place of worship for the Franco population. Saints Peter and Paul and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic churches eventually became the centers of worship for the Franco-Americans. Gazing at the churches are representatives of the religious men and women who came to serve the Franco-American faithful: a secular priest, an Ursuline sister, a Sister of Charity, a Dominican sister and a Dominican priest.
“A la mémoire de nos ancêstres” also shows family gatherings filled with song and music played on the accordion, harmonica, violin, piano, and the spoons.
A self-taught artist, Gastonguay owns and operates JMG Art & Framing Inc. in Lewiston. While she does original artwork on commission in all media, she is noted for her pen-and-ink renderings and paintings of homes and businesses.
Gastonguay has been teaching art to children and adults in her Apple Sass Hill Studio for 28 years. She and her students have also been invited annually to exhibit in the Atrium Gallery at the Lewiston-Auburn College. Their artwork and “A la mémoire de nos ancêstres” will be displayed at the Atrium July 13 to Aug. 17. An opening reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
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