Bust of Maude Bowman

Located on the Heritage Trail along the Victoria Promenade, a bronze bust of Maude Bowman faces south toward the river, alongside the busts of three other prominent historic Edmonton citizens: Nellie McClung, Abraham Cristall, and Judge Lucien Dubuc.

Maude Bowman exercised influence over the development of arts and history in Edmonton that extended over a thirty-year period. Along with other members of the Art Association, Edmonton Art Club, and Fine and Applied Arts Committee of the Local Council of Women, the women convened in the studio of artist William Johnstone to discuss the idea of starting an art museum. During these discussions, Bowman was the one to suggest the establishment of a permanent art collection for the community. 

Within her role as curator, her strong commitment to the concept of preservation and education resulted in the growth of the museum of art in the face of public apathy. Bowman became the first president and first director of the Edmonton Museum of Arts, founded in 1925. During her years as curator of the museum, the permanent collection grew, and art classes and exhibitions were held at the public library and the civic block.