06/08/2026
Congratulations!
We've added eight works by local creators to the Heritage Gallery’s Permanent Art Collection.
The artworks selected include seven paintings and one piece of fabric art. At least five of the pieces added to the collection were created by artists no longer living, thus ensuring that a sampling of their work remains accessible to the community in perpetuity.
“We’re excited to add two paintings by noted Indigenous artist Robert Abraham Jr.,” said Cameron Hart, president of the Lakes District Museum Society. “The Permanent Art Collection is meant to preserve local art for the benefit of the community in a deliberate and formal way, and Abraham’s work is crucial to our area’s culture.”
The museum also acquired two works by noted artist Jurgen Posselt and one by his mother, Irmgard. Jurgen created acrylic paintings and stylized prints, and the two pieces added to the gallery’s collection are examples of both. Irmgard was a weaver whose wall hangings were popular with collectors.
Both Posselts enjoyed success beyond the confines of the Lakes District and exhibited their work in major galleries. They were also the subject of separate feature articles published by the Vancouver Sun.
All three pieces by the Posselts were donated by members of the Posselt family. If not for the family’s generosity, it is unlikely the society would have been able to acquire these items on behalf of the community.
“Jurgen and Irmgard were respected artists, and most of their works are now in private collections,” said Michael Riis-Christianson, curator of the Lakes District Museum. “We are pleased to add three pieces by these accomplished creators to our collection.”
Not all the artworks added this year were donated to the museum. The society has a small budget for art purchases and acquired an acrylic painting by local artist Annamarie Douglas.
“I am absolutely honoured that the museum purchased my painting, On the Way Home, for their permanent collection,” said Douglas. “I will always have a deep connection to this piece, as it truly reminds me of home. Some may even recognize this place in Burns Lake. Also knowing that future generations could see it is pretty special. Thank you again to the museum for your constant encouragement and support of local artists like me!”
The museum society hopes to exhibit some of its newly acquired art in the Heritage Gallery later this year.
The eight works selected for inclusion in the Lakes District Museum’s Permanent Art Collection were just a sampling of the 40 pieces available to the museum in 2025. While the society would have liked to accept more, space limitations, budgetary constraints, and other factors – including criteria outlined in its art collection development plan – made restraint necessary.
The museum’s Art Acquisition by Application Program allows local artists to sell their works to the community at a fair price. Collectors and artists interested in offering art to the museum society, either by donation or purchase, will have an opportunity to do so again this year. The society’s 2026 Art Acquisition by Application Program is now underway, and artists have until Aug. 1, 2026, to submit proposals.
Anyone wanting more information on the Art Acquisition by Application Program can contact the museum society by phone (250-692-7450) or email ([email protected]).
Established in 1978, the Lakes District Museum Society is one of the region’s oldest arts and culture organizations. In addition to the museum, it operates the Heritage Gallery at 540 Highway 16 West in Burns Lake. More than 60 artists have had their work displayed in the gallery since it opened in 2021.
