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Our Featured Visual Artist for 2011


Bill Daye

Bill Daye was born in 1899 in Port Morien, Cape Breton. He moved with his family to what is now Mercer St. in Whitney Pier in 1901 when his father was employed by Dominion Iron and Steel Company.

He joined the Cape Breton Highlanders when World War I broke out and worked in the demolition of enemy infrastructure in Belgium and France. "Bill did his part to assist in WW II efforts by working as a master machinist at the naval dockyard in Halifax."

When the war days were over Bill's father Thomas Daye passed away and Bill became the sole supported of his mother Susan Meade Daye and his wife Mary Madeline (Savory) Daye.  When his home burned down during a severe winter storm he built a new one for his family. Bill and Madeline had four children: Robert, Vivian, Dorothy and Catherine.

Bill worked in the Steel plant as a machinist and drafts man. His studies in drafting helped him to develop his artistic talent. Later he worked for the Post Office as a letter carrier for approximately twenty years servicing the Whitney Pier areas and Ward 5 and Ward 6.

Bill's interest in painting started early, he painted on any surface available including ship sails and objects and surfaces in his home. He continued with this by painting on the walls of his new house on Mercer St. He painted Cape Breton Landscapes from memory. He also understood the anatomy of animals from working as a taxidermist. He was a great lover of the out doors and planted a large garden and orchard in South Bar where they moved in 1947.

When Bills wife suffered a severe stroke which left her paralysed, his daughter, Vivian gave him a set of oil paints and he renewed his interest in painting. Madeline died in 1973.  Bill completed many paintings as a form of therapy during this time including a series of oil on canvas called the “Horse and Cart Days”. Eight of these paintings were purchased by Cape Breton University and then he was commissioned by Dr. Campbell (UCCB) to paint eight more. His work was shown at the McConnell library, the Sydney and Whitney Credit Union, The Royal Canadian Legion, CBU, and at the Lyceum. Later his piece “Winter's Pork” was purchased by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

Bill Daye was a wonderful folk artist with all the natural passion and authenticity it takes to provide a real legacy for the people of Cape Breton. He continued to paint until the age of 84 two years before his death. In 1999 Bill was honoured on what would have been his 100 Birthday with a showing of 15 paintings at Cape Breton University.

Past Featured Artists