Press
Left at The Wellgate:
The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith
Exhibition in Dundee, Scotland
FOR RELEASE
September 5, 2024
Jamie Lees, an Amherstburg, Ontario resident and co-owner of Jank Words & Pictures,
is set to curate a unique historical exhibition titled: Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith at the Central Dundee Library in Scotland. Running from September 14 to October 14, 2024, the exhibition delves into the enigmatic story of Jamie’s great grandmother, Mary Petrie Smith, who, on September 14, 1911, left her two young sons in their pram outside a pub in The Wellgate, before leaving for Canada. Through a meticulous collection of artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal stories, Jamie presents an emotionally charged and historically rich narrative.
Mary's Passport Photo 1911
Dedicated to her great grandmother, the exhibition Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith allows Mary to finally share her side of the story that remained secret; untold for 113 years. Jamie’s journey to uncover the truth behind this family mystery has profoundly affected her, leading her from deep sorrow to a sense of peace as she felt her great grandmother's spirit guiding her throughout the process. The exhibition invites visitors to explore various possibilities of what really happened that dark day in 1911 and what drove Mary to make such a drastic decision, encouraging them to form their own opinions based on the artifacts, documents, and personal stories presented.
"Curating this exhibition has been an emotional journey of discovery and connection for me. It is a privilege to share my great grandmother's story with the people of Dundee and to highlight the resilience and strength of women like her." Jamie Lees.
Collaborating with The Wellgate Project and leveraging her expertise in visual storytelling with her husband, Jamie brings a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience to the audience. Frank D’Angelo, co-owner at Jank Words & Pictures, praises her dedication to preserving and sharing this heritage thoughtfully with a broader audience, fostering a stronger cultural connection between Canada and Scotland.
In addition to the exhibition, there will be a series of related talks by guest speakers and interactive events to further engage the community with the historical themes and the stories presented.
Dr. Erin Farley, Project Lead and Library & Information Officer, Central Library, Dundee, Scotland, where the exhibition will take place, notes, "We’ve collaborated with Jamie in Canada from Scotland to create an immersive experience that sheds light on the social and cultural context of early 20th-century Dundee.This exhibition not only honors Mary Petrie Smith's legacy but also enriches our understanding of the historical landscape in which she lived."
Join us in celebrating this remarkable transatlantic connection and discover the compelling story of Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith a story that peels back the layers of the life of a complex woman—abandoner, immigrant, bigamist, survivor, enigma. A paradoxical maternal path that shaped a family's history."
EVENT DETAILS:
-
Exhibition Title: Left at The Wellgate:
The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith -
Dates: September 14, 2024 – October 14, 2024
Location: Central Library, The Wellgate, Dundee, Scotland
For more information, please contact Jamie Lees at jamie@jank.ca or visit What's On Leisure & Culture Dundee The Wellgate Project's website. Check out this brief video about The Wellgate.
Stay updated on the development of the graphic novel and 2025 theatrical production of Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith, written by Jamie Lees and produced in part by Shō Studios, by subscribing to our Jank & File Newsletter.
CBC Ontario Morning
CBC Windsor Morning
The Scottish Banner, news for global Scots-serving the international Scottish communities of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Celebrating 48 years in 2024.
The Scotsman Newspaper, the leading daily publication, Since 1817, The Scotsman has been the voice of Scotland.
Rivertown Times, local weekly newspaper proudly serving Amherstburg, Ontario. Locally owned, locally operated.
107.9 CKBG The Burg Radio Amherstburg Ontario.
Spencer Duby from 107.9 CKBG The Burg interviewed Jamie just before her departure for Scotland. Unfortunately, a recording of the interview is not available.
Blood Sucking Lawyers:
Graphic Novel Project
CBC News Interview - BLOOD SUCKING LAWYERS
CBC Windsor Afternoon Drive
Chris Dela Torre of CBC's Afternoon Drive interviewed Frank D'Angelo about Blood Sucking Lawyers, after a fun and busy three-day location shoot at the historic Low Martin Mansion in Walkerville.
CBC Windsor Digital Online News
Dale Molnar of CBC News interviews Frank D'Angelo on location at the historic Low Martin Mansion in Walkerville. Frank is the co-writer (with Matt St. Amand) and director of Jank Words & Pictures' first graphic novel, a hilarious parody of the legal system titled Blood Sucking Lawyers.
CBC TV drops by the Low Martin Mansion in Walkerville as Jank Words and Pictures' Frank D'Angelo directs character models Mark Lefebvre, posing as Dr. Landsteiner, and Joey De Marco, posing as Gore, in a panel scene from the graphic novel Blood Sucking Lawyers.