On March 14, 2005, the City of Belleville proclaimed Bruce Bedell as the official Town Crier.  It had to be.  After many years in Northern Ontario and South Western Ontario, Bruce came back home to Belleville to carry on the tradition of the Ancient Order of Bedellii.  The name, Bedell, means “officer of the parish whose principle duty was to keep order, also was the town crier.”

What exactly is a Town Crier?  According to Bruce’s book, The Book of Cries (available at the Belleville Public Library), it is an eccentric extrovert who dresses up and runs around yelling at people.

In the past a Town Crier was an important messenger – it was the fastest way to get the word out.  So what is the use of a Town or Formal Crier today?  According to Bruce, they “add a touch of elegance to important occasions such as weddings, festivals, visiting dignitaries.  At a wedding, for example, a Formal Crier can lead the bridal procession, introduce the wedded couple to the assembled guests, announce members of the bridal party, and lead a parade down the main street.”

Sculpture by Bruce W. Bedell


Town Crier
This old Town Crier evolved from the tri-corn hat downwards
to include a lace cravat and a high collared coat with an overcape.

Evolutionary sculpture

To quote Marshall McLuhan, "the media is the message."

In evolutionary sculpture, the subject and form of the piece of work is contained within the soapstone or wood and it is released as the media is worked by the artist.  Pieces of evolutionary sculpture usually do not have a predetermined form but evolve from the vision of the artist as the work proceeds.

Shows:

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario:
Ontario Winter Carnival "Bon Soo" Juried Art Shows
Heart and Stroke Foundation Charity Auctions
Coming of Summer Cultural Celebrations
Central Algoma Juried Art Show
Bruce Mines Juried Art Show
Chesterton Indiana:
Wizard of Oz Festival - Arts, Crafts and Collectables Shows
London, Ontario:
Tyrconnell Heritage Society Arts and Crafts Show