Peter Maxwell Ewart

Peter Maxwell Ewart (7 April 1918 – 23 January 2001) was a Canadian painter. He is especially known for his depictions of the Cariboo country of British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. During his career, Ewart had over 40 solo exhibitions in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Biography Peter Maxwell Ewart was born in Kisbey, Saskatchewan, on 7 April 1918. At a young age his family moved to Montreal, where he attended West Hill High School. After taking correspondence courses in commercial illustration, he attended Sir George Williams College and the Art Association of Montreal. He next took instruction at the Commercial Illustration Studio of New York City, where he was introduced to avant-garde design. Ewart relocated to Vancouver in 1947, and one year later he married. He died in Surrey, British Columbia, on 23 January 2001.

His first forays into painting consisted of marine views which gained a following. Some of his stated influences were Maurice Cullen and Clarence Gagnon.

Much of Ewart's subject matter was found in the Cariboo region of British Columbia between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft. His canvases often have a touch of red as a focal point, and frequently include people and horses. One contemporary criticism was that although well done, his paintings approached that of a standard product and evolved little. Three years later, his name was bestowed on Peter Ewart Middle School, located in Willoughby within the Township of Langley.

Ewart's works are found in the collection of the Langley Centennial Museum and Exhibition Centre.

Exhibitions Alex Fraser Galleries, Vancouver Royal Academy of Arts (London, England) Alwin Galleries (London, England, 1972) Peter Ewart Middle School (Langley, 2020)