Sister Osithe

Ploughman in Field (click for larger image)

hen the Academy closed in 1973, Osithe's paintings were moved to other locations. St. Ann's Residence is now home to many of her works. It has been an ongoing project to have realistic, photographic reproductions of some of her most popular paintings created to hang on the walls of St. Ann's once more. The "Immaculate Conception" reproduction, complete with a canvas-like finish, now hangs in the Sister's Parlour of the Interpretive Centre, where it amazed pupils and visitors for decades.

"Empress of Russia" leaving Ogden Point (click for larger image)

The Sisters of Saint Ann Archives holds a lovely collection of some of her china painting. Her talent in this area received less attention than her work on canvas, but her ability to decorate vases, plates and dishes with flowers and delicate scenes brought pleasure to many. Click here to view samples of Sister Osithe's china paintings

Woman at Window (click for larger image)

In addition to painting, teaching and her other duties at the Academy, Sister Osithe was an architect. In 1921, it was decided that the school needed a gymnasium, and Sister Osithe designed a two storey wooden structure with a gym floor above and a kitchen and storage below, to stand on the grounds behind the auditorium.

Little Flower Academy, a school in Vancouver, was graced with a new wing, and several other schools and hospitals under the Sisters of Saint Ann in British Columbia were designed, in part, by Osithe.

Sister Mary Osithe Labossière died in 1941, at the age of 75. A former student, Sister Mary Rosalinda, S.S.A., wrote a poem in tribute to the artist, architect and teacher who had influenced so many people and had brought beauty to the walls of St. Ann's Academy. A few verses have been selected here: