Denis Newman and the Canadian Mining Heritage Series

Announcing a new series:

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing the pen and ink drawings of artist Denis Newman. Today, an introduction to the artist, and a sample of his work. 

About the Canadian Mining Heritage Series

Since 1997, artist Denis Newman has drawn over 2000 pen-and-ink sketches of Canadian mines. Born in Timmins and raised on the Paymaster and Dome mines in South Porcupine, what started as a modest project to document the industrial and residential buildings of his childhood has become The Canadian Mining Heritage Series, a documentation of the mining communities in each province and territory.

Newman is a graduate of North Bay Teacher’s College and Queen’s University and taught for many years at Sir James Whitney (formerly the Ontario School for the Deaf) in Belleville.

Newman’s work was featured in the April 2019 edition of Canadian Mining Magazine. “The response to Newman’s art has been very positive. It has been used as the centerpiece for mining industry awards and presentations, as well as commissioned by individual companies. His works are displayed in a variety of venues associated with the mining industry. The Val d’Or Historical Society and museums and Elliot Lake and Red Lake also house collections of his work. Newman is also very proud to have forty sketches on permanent display at Golden Manor Home for the Aged in Timmins.”

Periodicals featuring Newman’s artwork:  

• Canadian Mining Magazine April 2019 and December 2020
• Mining Life & Exploration News Fall 2017
• Ontario Prospector Vol. 19 Issue 2
• Education Forum Spring 2015 Vol. 41 Issue 2
• Northern Miner
• Northern News May 24, 2013
• Daily Press August 1, 2011
• Intelligencer March 15, 2008

Books including Newman’s illustrations

• Over the Hill IV, Diane Armstrong “His expertise has attracted the attention of mining figures across Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, who have in turn, engaged him to record for posterity, sketches of other mines.”
• More than Free Gold Michael Barnes “…cram-packed with old photographs and beautifully execute pen and ink drawings of famous old mines”: Ellsworth Dickson.
• L’Abitibi Minere Historical Society of Val d’Or, Denys Chabot
• Val d’Or, La Societe d’histoire et de geneaologie de Val d’Or Denys Chabot
• Red Lake Golden Treasure Chest Michael Barnes
• Drawings of the Porcupine Camp 1909 – 2009 Denis Newman, edited by Syl Belisle
• Drawings of Kirkland Lake and Area Denis Newman, edited by Syl Belisle
• Fortunes Found – Canadian Mining Success Michael Barnes
• Gold in Kirkland Lake Michael Barnes
• Elliott Lake Commemorative Mining Year Book 1956 – 1996 a tribute to all Elliot Lake Miners, The Elliott Lake Nuclear and Mining Museum

Prints available

The Cobalt Historical Society is grateful for Mr. Newman’s steadfast dedication to mining heritage and for sharing with us, and therefore with our readers, once familiar scenes in Cobalt and Coleman Township.

For inquiries or to purchase prints of Newman’s drawings, a phone call is preferred – 613-966-3925 or send an email to den.gen@sympatico.ca