Jasper Centre packed for Gordon Bacon reception

Love of my life: Gordon Bacon with the photo of Doreen presented by The Jasper Centre.

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

A  photograph at the Jasper Cultural & Historical Centre shows Doreen Bacon in a straw-filled barn milking a cow. Behind her is a calf that she is feeding or petting, and to her left are a dog and six or seven cats.

The caption reads “Doreen – 1988”, and below it is the comment, “Gordon’s idea of a date”.

It is museum manager David Jenkins’ favourite photograph in Gordon Bacon’s exhibition, Right Place At The Right Time.

“It is so full of life,” said Jenkins, speaking as much figuratively as literally, at Saturday afternoon’s reception for Bacon and his show.

The comment attached to the caption also typifies Bacon’s sense of humour, said Jenkins.

An on-the-spot poll found a lot of agreement with Jenkins’ views.

If anyone needed proof of the popularity of Bacon’s work, and the artist himself, a crowded hallway and gallery provided it.

More than 60 people came for the two-hour reception.

The exhibition, up until the end of April, features many photographs taken on the road and at job sites during Bacon’s oil-and-gas industry career.

It also features the love of his life: Doreen, the most beautiful girl in his world.

Jenkins, said Bacon had a knack for capturing the essence of a moment – another example of the amazing amount of talent in the area.

Theresa Stoehr, office administrator, then read a message from Bacon, who stood beside her as she spoke.

“Gordon has asked me to read this on his behalf.

“Hello, and thank you for coming out to today’s reception for The Right Place at the Right Time.

“In my younger years. I spent many Saturday afternoons at the movies – double features of Roy Rogers and his horse, Trigger, along with Gene Autry westerns in Edmonton. Those outings were part of my mom and dad’s weekly shopping trips to the city.

Our family later moved to Haney, in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, for three years. That’s where I learned to swim. In 1950, we moved back to Leduc, Alberta, to resume dairy farming. Leduc was booming at the time, following Imperial Oil’s Big Light Oil Discovery.

I helped my dad on the farm for a couple of years before hiring on with Imperial Oil in 1952, earning $1.25 an hour – plus, some overtime in my first week. We lived in bunkhouses at Imperial Oil’s in Nisku. During that time, I began taking Brownie Hawkeye photos, mostly of after-hours activities – curling, partying, social gatherings, and our adventures around Edmonton, Leduc, and Devon.

In 1956, during an oil price downturn, I transferred to Estevan, where new oil wells and pipeline construction were underway. A job opportunity in Alida came along, offering a vehicle and a wage increase, so off I went – to a town of about 100 people. Small-town life meant friendly faces and a warm welcome to a new guy in town.

I spent 20 years in the Alida and Carnduff area before moving back to Leduc to work with Dome Petroleum. In 1980, I began inspecting new pipeline construction projects. These jobs were often short-term and involved a lot of travel – through British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

My job was to observe pipeline construction crews, working long 12-hour days. With plenty of time on the road and at job sites, I had many opportunities to take photos and videos – sunrises, sunsets, landscapes, and the many scenes that seemed to say, “Hey, take my photo”.

I used Sooter’s in Winnipeg – “The Sooter, The Better” – to develop and print 5×7 photos at a price that suited me just fine.

“I feel very fortunate to have had these opportunities in life. Today, I’m grateful for family, friendships, and a wonderful place to live. I enjoy spending time at Creekside Lodge – music, bingo, pub nights, BBQs, and Friday night movies – with the most beautiful girl in my world.

Thank you to David, Donny, Theresa, and to the Jasper Centre, for today – from Doreen & I both.”

After the message, Stoehr presented Bacon with a blown-up, mounted photo of Doreen as an expression of appreciation from the Jasper Centre.

The photo was taken by Bacon, and included in the albums laid out for the reception.