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New Educational Resource: Allward – Bringing Stone to Life

Date published:

February 5, 2025

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Are you an educator looking for engaging ways to teach about art, history, and commemoration?

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial, designed by renowned sculptor Walter S. Allward, is not only a tribute to Canada’s role in the First World War but also one of the country’s most significant works of art. To create its powerful sculptures, Allward used life-size models, known as maquettes, which helped shape the final monument.

Our Allward: Bringing Stone to Life lesson plan, designed for grades 9–12, brings this artistic and historical process into the classroom. Available in both English and French, this resource encourages students to explore the question: What should be memorialized? Through inquiry and creativity, they will design their own meaningful memorials, drawing inspiration from the themes of the Vimy Memorial.

The lesson also prompts critical discussions on key questions such as:

  • Should wars be memorialized?
  • Do historical monuments still have relevance?
  • Do historical monuments reflect everyone?
  • Are physical monuments even needed anymore?

This lesson plan integrates our Allward: Bringing Stone to Life digital project, providing students with an interactive way to engage with Allward’s artistic process and the creation of the Vimy Memorial.

‍Bring this unique learning experience to your students today: Explore the lesson plan

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On sale
Mother Canada In the lead up to the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Blair Ketcheson has made available a small release of prints from his Portraits of an Icon collection. “Mother Canada” is a striking fine-art photograph capturing one of the most powerful and recognizable figures of the Vimy Memorial. This image highlights the solemn grace and enduring symbolism of the monument, offering a deeply moving tribute to sacrifice and remembrance. Produced exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, each print is part of a limited edition of fifty, signed and numbered by the artist. Prints measure approximately 13” x 19” on 17” x 22” sheets. An Attribution Sheet accompanies every print, providing details about the image, edition, copyright, and framing. Each print is numbered to 50 and available only while supplies last. Copyright © 2014 Blair Ketcheson : All Rights Reserved.

"Mother Canada" Print by Blair Ketcheson numbered to 50

$ 300.00 

$ 300.00 

On sale
The Vimy Memorial In the lead up to the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Blair Ketcheson has made available a small release of prints from his Portraits of an Icon collection. This fine-art photograph of the Vimy Memorial offers a timeless perspective on one of Canada’s most significant national symbols. Through careful composition and light, the image captures both the monument’s architectural grandeur and its profound historical meaning. Produced exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, each print is part of a limited edition of fifty, signed and numbered by the artist. Prints measure approximately 13” x 19” on 17” x 22” sheets. Included with every purchase is an Attribution Sheet outlining details about the photograph, edition, copyright, and framing. Each print is numbered to 50 and available only while supplies last. Copyright © 2014 Blair Ketcheson : All Rights Reserved.

"The Vimy Memorial" Print by Blair Ketcheson numbered to 50

$ 300.00 

$ 300.00 

On sale
Stone of Remembrance In the lead up to the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Blair Ketcheson has made available a small release of prints from his Portraits of an Icon collection. “Stone of Remembrance” highlights one of the defining elements found across Commonwealth war cemeteries. Each Stone bears the inscription “Their name liveth for evermore,” chosen by Rudyard Kipling from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, reflecting the enduring remembrance of the fallen. Produced exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, each print is part of a limited edition of fifty, signed and numbered by the artist. Prints measure approximately 13” x 19” on 17” x 22” sheets. An Attribution Sheet is included with each order, detailing the image, edition, copyright, and framing information. Each print is numbered to 50 and available only while supplies last. Copyright © 2014 Blair Ketcheson : All Rights Reserved.

"Stone of Remembrance" Print by Blair Ketcheson numbered to 50

$ 300.00 

$ 300.00