The colourful world of Ann Curley
Every time I visit the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre at Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst, I am surrounded by dramatic colour. As you arrive at the wharf you will see fruit-inspired colours of stunning raspberry, cobbler peach and hunter green on the replica vintage-style buildings by the water.
The heritage centre is wonderfully attractive in architectural design and it really pops out at you. It is one of North America’s few in-water exhibits of working antique wooden boats. The giant facility has more than 20,000 square feet showing state-of-the-art exhibits from the glory days of Muskoka.
Muskoka is a colourful place and has equally colourful people who add to the flair and uniqueness of the area. There are people who embrace the atmosphere and add so much more to the whole experience, with vast years of knowledge and expertise in their careers and their own particular style to what they do.
Ann Curley, to me, is one of these special people.
She is so talented and savvy, seeing what most people don’t while making so much happen. Ann is the operations manager of the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre, which explores the history of steamships, wooden boats and luxury hotels through artifacts and photomurals, and offers interactive computers and a wonderful gift shop. The $6-million complex features a life-size bow of a three-deck steamship — complete with whistle. You simply must visit this attraction, as just seeing the sleek floating exhibits are worth the trip.
Muskoka is famous for its boat builders, and the centre has recreated a 1920s workshop in which craftsmen created the finest wooden launches. Within steps from this exhibit is the real thing.
The “wet” boathouse is where a constantly rotating exhibit of 20 privately owned wooden boats are on display to the public. Ditchburn, Greavette, Duke, Minett-Sheilds and rare launches are on show, dazzling with their shining wooden bodies.
Ann and her delightful staff and volunteers have really added a hit of magic dust to the experience. From the moment you leave 2008 behind and venture into the 1920s, the experience begins. I have always wanted to photograph Ann in vintage clothing among the great exhibits and was delighted when she agreed.
Ann was born and raised in Windsor and has always felt comfortable being near water. She graduated from the tourism/marketing management program at St. Clair College and for 17 years worked for the Ministry of Tourism. She worked in a variety of Ontario travel information centres and her territory spanned from Windsor to Cornwall.
In 1993 she left the tourism ministry and moved to Muskoka to take a position at Muskoka Tourism. Her stint lasted only four days as she was offered the post of executive director with the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce. Ann was there until November 2006 when she accepted the challenging job with the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society as the operations manager of the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre.
The day of our shoot was a lovely sunny Saturday morning when we decided to get together and do the portraits. Ann is so busy with her family and career, at first I didn’t want to add one more item to her agenda — dressing up in vintage clothing to be photographed is not exactly an easy thing for the to-do list. I was thrilled with how easily she agreed to my request, though. Ann, as usual, supported my idea and came prepared to dress up in her classic outfit.
She looked beautiful in a giant straw hat with peach-coloured flowers, rows of pearls and a lace bodice and long, flowing skirt. She topped this portrait off with a vintage lace parasol, which just added the icing to the cake. Together we wandered through the facility and I took her portrait among some of my favourite wooden boats and historical exhibits. She really did look pretty and I was very pleased with the results.
We both were delighted in how lifelike the image looked of Ann dining in the Royal Muskoka Hotel exhibit. It looked authentic with the historical mural behind her and the antique dining furniture and cutlery before her. I was excited with my images portrayed in a different light; I felt like I should put my parasol down and join her for a glass of wine. We had so much fun and spent time looking at all the exhibits and taking advantage of the time getting to know each other.
We finished our shoot and retired to Ann’s office. I love her office; again it reflects this love of colour with a dynamic picture of spring flowers, vintage posters and fresh-cut blooms highlighting her favourite colours of fuchsia and purple.
Visiting this attraction no matter what season is always a highlight and being a photographer gives me endless indoor and outdoor subjects to document.
Bev McMullen is an award-winning photographer who specializes in images of Muskoka. Her most recent book, “Carve your own Totem Pole” published by Boston Mills Press, is now available in local bookstores. She can be reached in Muskoka at 705-645-8771.
