Michael Burtch:
CLASS OF 1968
Lakefield District Secondary SchoolClass of 1968
Lakefield, ON
Michael's Story
I've spent most of my career writing about other artists. It's much easier than writing about myself. After graduating LDHS I did what a lot of our generation did-wandered aimlessly "looking for myself". In 1970 I washed up in Brandon, Manitoba, took art education at Brandon University, fell in love, married and ended up finally at Queen's University in the art history program. I owe a debt of gratitude to family and friends who were no doubt concerned about my arcane choice of study and yet remained very supportive. My wife Linda and myself raised two beautiful daughters as I forged ahead with my career in the arts, she in archives (just about as arcane as art history). We moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 1981 so I could take up the position of Director/Curator, a position I held until I retired in 2008. I had the great privilege of meeting and working with so many wonderful artists over the decades. I also served as Adjunct Professor of Art History at Algoma University and am currently a Researc...Expand for more
h Associate with the University's NORDIK Institute. Linda passed away in 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer but not before we had a chance to travel the world extensively. I now working full time as an artist (sculptor) and enjoying watching my daughter's careers flourish and my grandchildren become young adults. Since my retirement I was heavily engaged in a research project with the McGuffins (well known outdoor adventures) documenting hundreds of Group of Seven painting sites in Algoma and the north shore of Superior. The project ,thanks to TVO and White Pine Pictures, turned into an award winning (Canadian Screen Award) documentary film, "Painted Land, In Search of the Group of Seven". Somehow I also found time to design sets for "In Your Eyes" theatre.
I have family in the Peterborough area (my sister owns and runs Kyoto Coffee on the Lakefield highway and my youngest brother lives in Bridgenorth). I was saddened to learn of the fate of LDHS. I have wonderful memories of my time there.
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