hi my name is huibert g van drimmelen . i would like to share with you the sense of who your dad and grandpa was as someone who only knew him as a young man in chilliwack.he was the most honest and faithful person you could imagine. his low and gentle voice was only one of the gifts that god used in his journey.as a teacher he inspired as an artist he demanded the viewer to look within and ask the question what responsibility do we have in showing gods love to the least of our society. as fellow christ follower and artist for forty years i can only hope to have the impact that gerald had to his family to the people he loved and to champion the lives of the forgotten. my deepest condolences and my apologies for not addressing this sooner. yours in christ huibert van drimmelen
Stephanie McDougall:
I had the pleasure of having Mr. Folkerts as a sub several times and if it was to teach drama, art, bible, or homeroom everything was done with complete joy and always accompanied by words of wisdom, and the lesson that one can always learn more about yourself and about Christ. He will be a missed fixture in every community that he was part of. Rest in Peace Mr. Folkerts.
Alyse Kwantes:
I just reread the story about Monty from the “Head over Heels” series. It was published inside the front cover of the December COMMENT. Monty gazes from the cover with such vitality and peacefulness. The depth of Gerald’s art helps me look at folks around us with deeper appreciation and growing regard for their humanity. Our prayers for strength during this terrible struggle.
Brian K:
Great work. Looking for a copy of Chernobyl Nightmare. Call me at 785-8599
Aidan Zeglinski:
I went to your art show I really like your art work.
Kim Zeglinski:
I first saw Gerald’s “Head Over Heels” collection whilst keeping vigil at the bedside of a friend who was dying of cancer. She was a well-known Winnipegger, nicknamed “Cathy-from-the-corner” or “-from-the-village”–where she panhandled on the corner of River and Osborne. I think of Cathy with fondness, and see her in every face depicted in this collection. May we all come to know God so intimately through seeing our common humanity in every face we pass. Thank you Gerald, for the legacy and lessons you will leave behind. Blessings as you continue to journey. Kim
Mr. Folkerts, I enjoyed browsing your recent work–wish I was around to attend the show. Thanks for all of the positive ways you have impacted me (I still find myself thinking about various moments or lessons from the junior high classes you taught). Peace to you and your family as you face the unexpected future in front of you.
Christina Barr:
Mr Folkerts, the world never ceases to amaze me. I’ve been wondering as of late why I have not seen you at Tim Horton’s. I look forward to days when you would pop by for your large coffee (or extra large if the day seemed to require it) and your one solitary timbit. Even my husband has grown accustomed to looking for your remarkable van on the road. It always brings a smile to his face as it does to mine. Just this week I found out about your illness from a classmate of mine who worked with your daughter. She was looking at the Gravel Road Journey blog and I said “Hey that’s my old teacher!” I was crushed to hear of your condition and I send my warmest and most heartfelt wishes to you and your family. Though you taught me for only a short time, you inspired me as a teacher and as a person. You were the first teacher to divulge your first name to our class, though you warned us to NEVER use it! Hahaha… And I recall you always calling John “Johan” which made us all laugh- well except for John! You were an exceptional teacher and your warmth and caring always sticks out in my mind when asked why I chose to be a teacher. If I can touch students hearts the way you have touched mine, I will feel truly blessed. Anyway, I wish you the best and I am looking forward to your upcoming exhibit- the first that I will have had the pleasure of attending.
Caroline Pyevich:
These paintings are amazing and beautiful. I wish I could see them in person (I moved to Arizona). My prayers are with you and I am so glad to see this website of your work.
Jon and I send our prayers to you and the family during this search for understanding and endurance. Gerald, we are very pleased to have known you as a person and as an artist. Your art works certainly speak volumes and have opened our eyes to the beauties and concerns of our world.
Ted Jeninga:
From Gerald I have learned that an artist is much more than one having the ability to reproduce an image that one sees. That talent to be able to capture the viewer’s attention, not, first and foremost, in order to gasp at the perfection of art, but more to unveil a story was Gerald’s strength. Every person has the opportunity to enhance the lives of others using the gifts they possess. Gerald has made clearer to me what role visual arts can have to open our eyes to appreciate what we can see in everyday people and places. Nothing is mundane.
We proudly display Gerald’s work in our home. His voice and vision matter; may it remain a legacy for generations to come.
Debby Smit:
Gerald, you are an amazing artist, full of life, love and passion for the poor. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Thanks for helping to open our eyes and see things with new light. Blessings.
Mattie Folkerts:
What a great idea to organize an exibition of Geralds paintings. My favourite painting is the painting of Richard. I hope a lot of people will come ( I sure would love to come if I had the possibility) to see his beautiful and touching paintings.
I know of no other way at this point to express my sympathy to the Folkerts family. I have just read the Free Press article about Gerald. Having moved to Scotland in August I was not aware of this tragedy. I served with Gerald on the MSA executive for a couple of years and have a great deal of admiration for him as a man and an artist. Please pass this on to his family.
As is the case for Steve Bell, Gerald is the first visual artist who I’ve known as a friend. For me, that makes these images all the more remarkable, as I have at least an inkling about what he was seeing/thinking/wondering as the images emerged. That is a rare privilege.
These paintings, to me, are not unlike a favorite album of music. As the familiarity grows, so does my capacity to see more and more in them. Gerald is the first visual artist I’ve come to know as a friend. He’s taught me much about looking – attending, about returning to a visual piece expecting a new gift and waiting patiently for it.
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hi my name is huibert g van drimmelen . i would like to share with you the sense of who your dad and grandpa was as someone who only knew him as a young man in chilliwack.he was the most honest and faithful person you could imagine. his low and gentle voice was only one of the gifts that god used in his journey.as a teacher he inspired as an artist he demanded the viewer to look within and ask the question what responsibility do we have in showing gods love to the least of our society. as fellow christ follower and artist for forty years i can only hope to have the impact that gerald had to his family to the people he loved and to champion the lives of the forgotten. my deepest condolences and my apologies for not addressing this sooner. yours in christ huibert van drimmelen
I had the pleasure of having Mr. Folkerts as a sub several times and if it was to teach drama, art, bible, or homeroom everything was done with complete joy and always accompanied by words of wisdom, and the lesson that one can always learn more about yourself and about Christ. He will be a missed fixture in every community that he was part of. Rest in Peace Mr. Folkerts.
I just reread the story about Monty from the “Head over Heels” series. It was published inside the front cover of the December COMMENT. Monty gazes from the cover with such vitality and peacefulness. The depth of Gerald’s art helps me look at folks around us with deeper appreciation and growing regard for their humanity. Our prayers for strength during this terrible struggle.
Great work. Looking for a copy of Chernobyl Nightmare. Call me at 785-8599
I went to your art show I really like your art work.
I first saw Gerald’s “Head Over Heels” collection whilst keeping vigil at the bedside of a friend who was dying of cancer. She was a well-known Winnipegger, nicknamed “Cathy-from-the-corner” or “-from-the-village”–where she panhandled on the corner of River and Osborne. I think of Cathy with fondness, and see her in every face depicted in this collection. May we all come to know God so intimately through seeing our common humanity in every face we pass. Thank you Gerald, for the legacy and lessons you will leave behind. Blessings as you continue to journey. Kim
Mr. Folkerts, I enjoyed browsing your recent work–wish I was around to attend the show. Thanks for all of the positive ways you have impacted me (I still find myself thinking about various moments or lessons from the junior high classes you taught). Peace to you and your family as you face the unexpected future in front of you.
Mr Folkerts, the world never ceases to amaze me. I’ve been wondering as of late why I have not seen you at Tim Horton’s. I look forward to days when you would pop by for your large coffee (or extra large if the day seemed to require it) and your one solitary timbit. Even my husband has grown accustomed to looking for your remarkable van on the road. It always brings a smile to his face as it does to mine. Just this week I found out about your illness from a classmate of mine who worked with your daughter. She was looking at the Gravel Road Journey blog and I said “Hey that’s my old teacher!” I was crushed to hear of your condition and I send my warmest and most heartfelt wishes to you and your family. Though you taught me for only a short time, you inspired me as a teacher and as a person. You were the first teacher to divulge your first name to our class, though you warned us to NEVER use it! Hahaha… And I recall you always calling John “Johan” which made us all laugh- well except for John! You were an exceptional teacher and your warmth and caring always sticks out in my mind when asked why I chose to be a teacher. If I can touch students hearts the way you have touched mine, I will feel truly blessed. Anyway, I wish you the best and I am looking forward to your upcoming exhibit- the first that I will have had the pleasure of attending.
These paintings are amazing and beautiful. I wish I could see them in person (I moved to Arizona). My prayers are with you and I am so glad to see this website of your work.
Jon and I send our prayers to you and the family during this search for understanding and endurance. Gerald, we are very pleased to have known you as a person and as an artist. Your art works certainly speak volumes and have opened our eyes to the beauties and concerns of our world.
From Gerald I have learned that an artist is much more than one having the ability to reproduce an image that one sees. That talent to be able to capture the viewer’s attention, not, first and foremost, in order to gasp at the perfection of art, but more to unveil a story was Gerald’s strength. Every person has the opportunity to enhance the lives of others using the gifts they possess. Gerald has made clearer to me what role visual arts can have to open our eyes to appreciate what we can see in everyday people and places. Nothing is mundane.
We proudly display Gerald’s work in our home. His voice and vision matter; may it remain a legacy for generations to come.
Gerald, you are an amazing artist, full of life, love and passion for the poor. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Thanks for helping to open our eyes and see things with new light. Blessings.
What a great idea to organize an exibition of Geralds paintings. My favourite painting is the painting of Richard. I hope a lot of people will come ( I sure would love to come if I had the possibility) to see his beautiful and touching paintings.
I know of no other way at this point to express my sympathy to the Folkerts family. I have just read the Free Press article about Gerald. Having moved to Scotland in August I was not aware of this tragedy. I served with Gerald on the MSA executive for a couple of years and have a great deal of admiration for him as a man and an artist. Please pass this on to his family.
Tom
As is the case for Steve Bell, Gerald is the first visual artist who I’ve known as a friend. For me, that makes these images all the more remarkable, as I have at least an inkling about what he was seeing/thinking/wondering as the images emerged. That is a rare privilege.
These paintings, to me, are not unlike a favorite album of music. As the familiarity grows, so does my capacity to see more and more in them. Gerald is the first visual artist I’ve come to know as a friend. He’s taught me much about looking – attending, about returning to a visual piece expecting a new gift and waiting patiently for it.