Online auction of Maud Lewis painting found in thrift store opens

The Maud Lewis painting that turned up in a New Hamburg, Ont. thrift shop last month is going to be auctioned off to support the Mennonite Central Committee.

The online auction starts Thursday, April 20 at 9:00 p.m. and runs until May 19, at 9:00 p.m.

• 'Remarkable spirit': Nova Scotia doctor shares stories of artistMaudLewis ahead of auction
• Maud Lewis painting found in New Hamburg thrift shop to be auctioned

The painting, calledPortrait of Eddie Barnes and Ed Murphy, Lobster Fisherman, Bay View, N.S., was spotted by volunteers combing through donations.

RickCoberBauman, theexecutivedirectorof the Mennonite Central Committee, said they have learned a lot about the artist's world since the painting was found.

"Her doctor has come forwardand people who are related to the guy in the painting. So we're hoping now that people take a seriously look at this as well,"CoberBaumansaid.

They have no sense of who donated the painting.

But CoberBauman said there is amoving link tohow her work will make a difference.

"Here's a woman, a painter, who really lived in poverty," Cober Baumansaid. "These paintings sold for $2 and $3 apiece and now ... [the]gift of her work is coming back to be, in many ways, a response to poverty again."

The painting will be on view from April 21 to May 19 at the Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener.