Arnold Ross

Arnold Harvey Ross was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, in 1939. He attended St. John’s High School in Winnipeg before enrolling at the University of Manitoba, where he earned a Bachelor of Pedagogy in 1967. While he was primarily self-taught as a painter, his professional life was defined by a dual commitment to art education and creative practice. Ross spent thirty-five years as an educator in the Winnipeg school system, teaching at several institutions including Gordon Bell High School and R.B. Russell Vocational High School. He concluded his teaching career with a ten-year tenure at Sisler High School, retiring in 2000.

Ross’s artistic output was diverse in both medium and subject matter, encompassing oils, acrylics, and watercolours. His body of work often featured thematic series focused on landscapes, urban scenes, and figures such as musicians and ballet dancers. He was particularly noted for his depictions of rural Manitoba, including studies of rustic barns and winter landscapes. Beyond his personal studio work, Ross was an active figure in the Manitoba arts community, serving as the volunteer curator for the Piano Nobile Art Gallery at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg from 1991 until 2006.

In addition to his paintings, Ross contributed to the cultural landscape of Winnipeg through his involvement in public art initiatives and performance. In 2005, he participated in the "Bears on Broadway" fundraiser for CancerCare Manitoba, creating two painted sculptures for the public exhibition. His multidisciplinary interests also extended to the performing arts; he was a self-taught pianist and performed in various theatrical productions at Rainbow Stage and the Hollow Mug Dinner Theatre.

The professional legacy of Arnold Ross is documented in several institutional archives. Biographical records and documentation of his career are held in the Clara Lander Library at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Edward P. Taylor Research Library and Archives at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Ross remained a resident of Winnipeg until his death in 2006.