Kenneth Saltmarche

Kenneth Saltmarche (Ken) LL. D. (September 29, 1920 – July 3, 2003) was a Canadian museum director and artist. He was a crucial figure in developing the existence of the Art Gallery of Windsor (now Art Windsor-Essex) and its collection, and served the gallery for nearly 40 years (1946–1985). In his lengthy stay, his career was not unlike two of his artist-peers in Canadian art, Clare Bice, director of Museum London (1940–1972) and T. R. MacDonald of the Art Gallery of Hamilton (1947–1973).

Early life Kenneth Saltmarche was born in Cardiff, Wales, UK.

Career Saltmarche was placed in charge of operations of the Art Gallery of Windsor in 1946 (it had been founded on the top floor of the Willistead Manor in Windsor, Ontario in 1943). He became director of what was then called the Willistead Art Gallery of Windsor from 1960 to 1969, then director of the Art Gallery of Windsor. He was instrumental in making the gallery an independent institution (until 1959, it was governed by the Windsor Public Library Board) and in building the gallery collection. He staged events such as Art in the Park and juried shows, mostly for the community,

In 1982, Saltmarche wrote a book titled A collection of humorous sketches from a personal book of hours – and hours and hours – in hospital, published in Windsor, Ontario by Poor Me Products. That same year, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Windsor.

Art Saltmarche was renowned especially as a portrait artist.

In 2013, Art Windsor-Essex organized The Saltmarche Soirée & Live Auction A Fundraiser to Benefit the Art Gallery of Windsor, a sale or the Saltmarche's art and collection. In 2018, Chris Finn, the gallery curator, presented Kenneth Saltmarche: Dedicated Visions, an exhibition which again examined Saltmarche's art.

Personal life His twin sons, Noel and David, born in 1949, died of cancer in 2011.