Alex Colville was born in Toronto on the 24 of August 1920, but considers himself a Maritimer having moved with his family to Nova Scotia in 1929. He studied art at Mount Allison University, N.B. and on graduating in 1942 joined the Canadian Army and served in Europe as a member of the War Art program. He taught art and art history at Mount Allison University from 1946 to 1963 before devoting himself full-time to his painting and print-making.
Mr. Colville’s work has been exhibited in many parts of the world -in North America, Europe and the Far East – and has been eagerly sought for museum, corporate and private collections. He has received many honours; he was chosen to design a set of coins for Canada’s Centennial in 1967 and that year was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and raised to Companion, the highest level of the Order, in 1982. He has been awarded eight honourary degrees and from 1981 to 1991 served as Chancellor of Acadia University, N.S.
Mr. Colville married Rhoda Wright in 1942. They have three sons and a daughter and eight grand-children. Since 1973 they have lived in Wolfville, N.S. in the house, built by her father, where Rhoda Colville was born.
Alex Colville died peacefully at home on July 16th, 2013.
