October 28 to November 29, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday November 8, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Kawartha Art Gallery
Conservator’s Talk at 2:30pm
Exhibition Statement
One of the enduring mysteries in the Kawartha Art Gallery’s collection is this small yet intriguing artwork, affectionately known as “Mini.”
With no provenance, background information, or formal title, the piece earned its nickname due to its modest dimensions of 8 x 5 inches. The Gallery has no record of how or when “Mini” was acquired, nor why it arrived in such poor condition.
A small clue to its history lies on the back of the artwork — it is lined with what appears to be a French publication, possibly a newspaper from Quebec or France, dated around c.1825.
Although not accessioned into the Gallery’s Permanent Collection, “Mini” was retained as an educational tool, serving as a reminder of the importance of proper collections management and conservation practices within museums and galleries.
To explore its potential and preserve what remained, “Mini” was entrusted to Basia Baklinski, a professional conservator. Through her careful examination and treatment, Basia uncovered several important details:
“Mini” is an oil painting dating from approximately 1825.
The canvas had severely deteriorated, particularly through the middle, where large sections were completely lost.
The surface was covered with heavy grime, and there were multiple areas of paint loss, especially in the sky and near the white horse.
Basia carried out the following conservation work to stabilize and restore the painting:
Photographed the painting in its original condition.
Cleaned the back of the stretcher.
Gently cleaned the painting’s surface with soft swabs and 99% isopropyl alcohol.
Applied a new unbleached cotton backing over the original canvas using Beva film.
Used gesso to rebuild areas where the canvas was lost.
In painted with acrylics to match the original colours.
Finished with a protective layer of Gamvar Satin Varnish.
Now fully restored, “Mini” has returned home to Kawartha Art Gallery.
We invite visitors to view “Mini’s” remarkable transformation through Basia’s documentation of the conservation process — and to meet the “Mini” of today, a small but powerful testament to the value of art preservation.
“Mini” will be on display in the Gallery from October 28 to November 29, 2025, with Basia attending the opening reception on Saturday November 8, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Kawartha Art Gallery to speak further on Mini’s conservation journey.
Mini’s journey went on to inspire Kawartha Gallery in launching a program specific for the continued care and preservation of the Permanent Collection.
Learn more information about Kawartha Art Gallery’s Adopt-A-Piece Program here.
ABOUT THE CONSERVATOR
Basia Baklinski is a professional Conservator based in Peterborough, Ontario, with more than 25 years of experience in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage materials.
A graduate of Fleming College’s Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management program, Basia later taught conservation at Algonquin College before joining Lang Pioneer Village Museum in 2000, where she continues to serve as Conservator.
Through her private practice, The Conservation Clinic, Basia has completed commissions for numerous museums, archives, and galleries, including the Kawartha Art Gallery, the Agnes Jamieson Art Gallery (Minden), the Parrott Art Gallery (Belleville), Scugog Shores Museum (Port Perry), the Toronto Archives, Port Hope Archives, Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough Museum, and the Trent Valley Archives.
Her expertise spans works of art on paper, paintings, documents, books, photographs, and historical objects. In addition to institutional projects, she provides conservation and restoration services for private collectors and individuals.
Basia’s guiding philosophy: “Saving history, one piece at a time.”
All are welcome to attend the opening reception of Art of Conservation
Saturday November 8, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00pm
Kawartha Art Gallery
Kawartha Art Gallery location: 190 Kent Street West, Second Floor, Lindsay ON K9V 2Y6
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm
