Museum London opened its doors 80 years ago. To mark this anniversary, the Museum is launching an online exhibition. 80ML pairs 80 objects from the permanent collection--40 works of art and 40 historical artifacts--with written responses from 80 Londoners, who bring a fresh perspective to the Museum’s artistic and historical holdings. 

Traditionally, museum anniversary exhibitions highlight the most prominent and popular objects from the collection. 80ML is a little different. Museum London, working in consultation with the community, began by reaching out to 80 people who reflect our city’s diverse population. The exhibition’s contents were then chosen with these people in mind, each matching the knowledge, commitments, experience, and interests of a respondent. 

People will still see some of Museum London’s most familiar and best loved artworks and objects--whether paintings by Paul Peel and Greg Curnoe, an 1830s ball and chain from the Middlesex County Jail, or a 1930s Spartan Radio. However, online visitors will have an opportunity to gain a new, unexpected, and fuller understanding of these objects through the knowledgeable insights and creative interpretations of community members. 


Beaded Purse

Top:Doug Mitchell, Heartland, oil on masonite, 1978. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Moore, London, Ontario, in memory of Alex Graydon, 1987
Bottom: Beaded Purse, various materials, about 1950. Gift of Dora Sparling, Lambeth, 1962

Museum London extends sincere thanks to all 80ML respondents: 

Dr. Gavin Anderson, Microbiologist, President and Brewmaster, Anderson Craft Ales

Dr. Michael Anderson, Rotman Canada Research Chair in Philosophy of Science, Western University

Shaikh Aarij Anwer, Interim Imam and Islamic Education Coordinator, London Muslim Mosque

Julie Atchison, Meteorologist, CTV London

Mike Baker, Curator, Elgin County Museum

Joe Belanger, Journalist, London Free Press 

Kerry Ssemugenyi and Zion Bekele, Business Owners, See Collective

Karen Bellehumeur, Lawyer and Co-Vice Board Chair, Anova

Kary Black, Associate Art Director, Digital Extremes

Evond Blake, Mural Artist

Bill Brady, Journalist and Radio Host

Mercedes and Alfredo Caxaj, Co-Artistic Directors, Sunfest

Cleveland Brownlee, Athlete, London Majors

Dr. Janet Collins, London Chapter President, Congress of Black Women of Canada

Jeremy Copeland, Journalist and Graduate Program Chair, Master of Media in Journalism and Communication, Western University

Tom Cull, London Poet Laureate

Peter Devlin, President, Fanshawe College

Jason Dickson and Vanessa Brown, Writers and Business Owners, Brown and Dickson Bookstore

Emma Donoghue, Author

Jeanette Dutot, Executive Director, Hutton House

Bill Exley, Founding Member, Nihilist Spasm Band

Eaman Fahmy, Community Organizer and Inclusive Program Designer, Pillar Nonprofit Network

Andrew Fleet, Executive Director, Growing Chefs

Marc Forrat, Chocolatier and Business Owner, Forrat’s Chocolates

Dennis Garnhum, Artistic Director, Grand Theatre

Lori Hamer, Chief, London Fire Department

Dr. Michelle Hamilton, Director of Public History & Associate Professor, Western University

Hyacinth Henry, Hair Stylist and Business Owner, Glamorous Touch 

Leroy Hibbert, Multicultural Outreach Coordinator at LUSO Community Services

Ed Holder, Mayor, City of London

Richard W. Ivey, Businessperson, Philanthropist, Chairman of Ivest Properties Ltd.

Jessica Jazey-Spoelstra, Chef and Business Owner, North Moore Catering

Kadeem Jenkins, Poet and Musician

Arielle Kayabaga, Councillor, City of London

Terence Kernaghan, MPP, London North Centre

Penn Kemp, Author and Poet

Lorraine Klassen, Musician

Josh Lambier, Artistic Director of the Words Festival and the Director of the Public Humanities at Western University

Bryan Lavery, Food Writer, Restaurateur and Business Owner, Lavery Culinary Group

Simone Luti, Musician and Music Director and Conductor of both Western University’s Symphony Orchestra and Opera Program

Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO for the Middlesex London Health Unit

Casper Marcus, Hip Hop Artist

Nidia Martinez, Professor of Fashion Design, Fanshawe College

Dr. Vivian McAlister, Surgeon, University Hospital London

George McAuley, Musician and Mathematics Teacher, Catholic Central High School 

Reverend Dr. Stephen McClatchie, Professor, Department of Theology, Huron University College

Arthur McClelland, Librarian, London Room, London Public Library

Dr. Mhairi McFarlane, Director of Science and Stewardship, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Chris McKaskell, Woodworker, Furniture Designer and Business Co-Owner, McKaskell Haindl Design Build

Jason McLean, Artist

Dr. Carolyn McLeod, Chair, Department of Philosophy, Western University

Amanda Myers, Director of Indigenous Services, Western University

John Nicholson, Architect, Founding Principal, Nicholson Sheffield Architects 

Dr. Abe Oudshoorn, Registered Nurse and Assistant Professor, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University

Dr. Thomas Peace, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Huron University College

Nancy Poole, Art Dealer and Director of Museum London (1985-1995)

D’Wayne Price, Staff Sergeant, London Police Service

Dr. Bimadoshka (Annya) Pucan, Senior Policy Advisor, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation

James S. Reaney, Journalist, London Free Press

Andrew Rosser, LGBTQ2 Advocate and President, London Pride Festival (2011-2020)

Jenna Rose Sands, Artist

Roland Schubert, Photographer and Business Owner, Colour by Schubert

Dr. Alan Shepard, President, Western University

Dan and Mary-Lou Smoke, Indigenous Elders and Radio Hosts

Chris Snedden, Artist and Director of Artistic Programming, London Clay Art Centre

Savanah Sewell, Community Organizer

Dr. Sukhera Javeed, Psychiatrist and Chair, London Police Services Board

Susan Toth, Partner, Polishuk Camman & Steele Law Firm

Chris dela Torre, Radio Host, CBC

Harold Usher, Engineer, Author, and Councillor, City of London (2000-2018)

David and Winifred Wake, Naturalists

Jennifer Wenn, LGBTQ2 Advocate and Poet

Dr. Natascha Wesch, Sports Psychologist and Athlete

Lyla Wheeler, Community Activist 

Leslee White-Eye, Consultant, Educator, Chief of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation (2015-2017)

Anthea WIlliams, QTIPOC Activist

Ailene Wittstein, Community Advocate

Justin and Gregg Wolfe, Restaurateurs and Business Owners 

Jim Yanchula, Manager of Downtown Projects and Business Relations, City of London

Matt Zubick, Manager, John Zubick Ltd.


Press

Museum London taps 80 Londoners to celebrate its 80th anniversary - London Free Press

80 Londoners help mark Museum London's 80th anniversary - Global News CFPL 980

Museum London marks 80th anniversary with virtual exhibit pairing people with artifacts - CBC London