Tom Miller has always believed in the power and purpose of storytelling – for entertainment, for education, for preserving culture, and for instilling moral values. For bringing people together.
Tom moved to Canada in 1969 to become an arts teacher, and his career has been dedicated to telling stories. In 1972, he co-founded the renowned Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia to share the excitement of the performing arts and the magic of literature with children through puppetry and music. Telling old legends through modern interpretations is also central to his own paintings, which beautifully blend classics with whimsy.
Tom and his partner, Louis de Niverville, enjoyed 37 years together, and received wide acclaim in the Canadian art world. He explains, “we had an extraordinary, deep, mutually supportive relationship, and brought out the best in each other, artistically and personally.” De Niverville’s work ranges from charming small drawings to huge public murals, including those in the SickKids atrium and Toronto Pearson Airport. Two major retrospective exhibitions toured Canada, and his art is in international museums, private and corporate collections.
When Louis died early in 2019, Tom considered myriad ways to honour his memory and recently established an endowed fund at the Royal Ontario Museum to ensure that Louis and his own legacy are forever entwined in a meaningful and lasting manner. He said the choice was clear: they both loved the ROM. “We were bowled over by the Chinese collection, historic period rooms and the breadth of all there was to see. Spending time in natural history showed us that there was more to the history of the world than just human history. Every gallery shares important narratives, showing how universal story telling is in all cultures over all eras and parts of the world. And the mandate of art as well as culture and nature makes the ROM relevant and timeless.”
Watching people enjoying the ROM, Tom was moved by the shared experience and social cohesion that came from the creative learning and expansive welcome. He recognizes that the ROM is one of the most multicultural institutions in our diverse city, in our diverse country. And its role it has never been more important to engage people, connect them to the world and to each other. As Tom says, “Civilizations and cultures are defined by, and live on, through their artifacts and art – and the stories they tell.”
Tom believes his own story connects the work of Mermaid Theatre to what he is expressing in his painting to his belief in the absolute importance of culture to his commitment to the ROM. He will contribute to the de Niverville fund through his lifetime and through his own bequest. “I visit the ROM often to get ideas for my paintings and am working on a series that includes Museum objects. The narratives are inspirational. So it’s more than a place to give, it’s a lifeline for me. I’m so pleased that Louis’ legacy is being furthered through this lasting link to Canada’s great museum. And I sense the continuity of culture, of us, over time.”
The ROM is thrilled and grateful that Tom will include the Museum in his will. All generous donors who advise the ROM of a legacy intention are invited to join the Currelly Legacy Society (CLS). While COVID-19 has postponed onsite lectures, Tom and other CLS members can look forward to several exclusive virtually engaging member activities.