Found Maud Lewis painting displayed in Halifax as folk artist gets biopic

The Maud Lewis painting found in a New Hamburg, Ont. thrift shop will go on display Tuesday at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, a highlight of its unique collection of her works. The show coincides with a release of a Hollywood film on the folk artist's life.

The work entitled "Portrait of Eddie Barnes and Ed Murphy,Lobster Fishermen, Bay View, N.S.," was recently found byvolunteers sorting through donations to the Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Centre in New Hamburg, Ont.

It will be on display April 11-16 in Halifax, coinciding with therelease of the film Maudie, which opens April 14.

The film, which stars Hollywood star Ethan Hawke and Britishactress Sally Hawkins, has received critical acclaim at variousfestivals around the world.

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The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is home to the largest publiccollection of Maud Lewis works in the world, including her tinyhouse.

The painting is to be eventually sold through an online auctionto support the Mennonite Central Committee's relief, development andpeace-building work.