Biography

  • 1944

    Born in Waterloo Ontario

  • 1956

    Began painting at the age of twelve

  • 1963-6

    Attended Ontario College of Art, Toronto

  • 1963

    First exhibition, Mall Gallery, Ottawa

  • 1966

    Toured Europe and continued through the years with trips to Europe, Central and South America, New Zealand, and United States

  • 1967

    Exhibitions in Buffalo, NY

  • 1969

    Began to paint Mennonite life

  • 1970

    First one-man show of Mennonite paintings in Kitchener

  • 1971

    Large group of paintings purchased by Industrial Acceptance Corporation (now HSBC Bank Canada)

  • 1972-1973

    One-man shows throughout Ontario

  • 1974

    One-man show at Eaton’s Art Gallery, College Street, Toronto

  • 1975

    Opened studio/gallery in Waterloo

  • 1976

    Painting purchased by National Museum of Man, Ottawa now known as the Canadian Museum of History

  • 1977

    Artist-in-Residence at Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo

  • 1978

    Mennonite Country: Waterloo County Drawings by Peter Etril Snyder published by Sand Hills Books

  • 1979

    One-man show at Ontario House, London, England.
    Paul Martin Sr.’ commissioned portrait

  • 1980

    Introduction by Christian Bell Porcelain of the first four of a series of limited edition collector’s plates designed by Peter Etril Snyder

  • 1981

    Published the first Pioneer Life reproduction, “Cook’s Tavern”

  • 1982

    Commissioned by Murphy Oil Company Limited, Calgary, Alberta to paint scenes of their properties in Alberta

  • 1983

    Modelled four figures cast by Gosset Bronze in cold cast bronze

  • 1984

    One-man show at Harrison Galleries, Vancouver, BC

  • 1985

    Honorary Chairman, Grand River Conservation Foundation.
    Continuing association with Grand River Conservation Foundation includes Downsteam acrylic painting, series of drawings, and set of three train paintings for Rails to Trails fundraising.
    Presentation of the painting, The Homestead, to H.R.H. Prince Philip

  • 1986

    Co-published A Painter’s Harvest with C.B.C. Enterprises, 176-page, full-colour book

  • 1987

    Opened new reproduction boutique at Kitchener Market Square.
    First gallery representation in London, England

  • 1988

    One-man show at Galerie Westmount, Montreal.
    Opened new gallery in Waterloo City Centre for original paintings

  • 1989

    Commissions from Upjohn Companys Pharmaceutical Division and Animal Health Care Division.

    Two month Exhibition at KW Art Gallery sponsored by Lloyds Bank Canada showcasing Non Mennonite works.

    Afternoon Outing painting and reproductions for Juvenile Diabetes Foundation as a fundraiser.
    Placemats and coasters with Jason of New Zealand.
    Opened new reproduction boutique at St. Jacobs Riverworks.
    Work first displayed by Windjammer Gallery, Hamilton, Bermuda

  • 1990

    Cross-Canada 5x15 mural for boardroom of National Trust Company, Toronto.
    First paintings of thoroughbred racing honoured by Ontario Agriculture Museum

  • 1991

    Commissions for Janet Lynns Bistro, Waterloo/Maple Lane Dairy 1992.
    Commission for RCMP to celebrate Canada 125.
    Began producing a yearly Monthy Planner for Volunteers, which for 2002 was distributed free of charge to 25,000 individuals in national, provincial and local organizations

  • 1993

    Artist Laureate, Grand River Foundation

  • 1995

    Poster for the International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show, Ayr, ON

  • 1996

    Thirty-year Retrospective Exhibition, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.
    Mural at KidsAbility (formerly Rotary Childrens Centre), Waterloo.
    Artist-in-Residence, Ontario Agricultural Museum.
    Commission for Home Hardware Calendar.
    Published A New Harvest, 123-page, full-colour book

  • 1997

    Published Picture Maker, An Autobiography, 64-page, full-colour book

  • 1998

    Poster for the Royal Winter Fair

  • 1999

    Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo.
    Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary International).
    First painting in a series of 12 for KidsAbility, (formerly Rotary Childrens Centre), Waterloo

  • 2000-03

    Through My Eyes, weekly column for the Waterloo Chronicle

  • 2001

    Opening and closing address to commemorate International Year of the Volunteer for the United Way.
    Monthly guest on Daytime, Rogers Television.
    Published The Painted Horse, 120-page, full-colour book

  • 2001-03

    Weekly talk at CKWR in conjunction with the Waterloo Chronicle column

  • 2002-03

    Travel Sights, weekly column for The Record

  • 2003

    Published Painting Canada, 143-page, full-colour book

  • 2003-06

    Travel Sketches column in Antique & Collectibles magazine

  • 2004

    One of 50 Community Champions selected by CKCO-TV to mark their 50th Anniversary in broadcasting to Southern Ontario.
    Weekly feature on CKCO-TV Noon News

  • 2005

    Donated to the Centre in the Square, Kitchener, Ontario, for their 25th Anniversary, a 72 inch by 96 inch mural of performers, painted in the lobby over the course of one year.
    Gift of 52,000 negatives to Mennonite Archives of Ontario, Conrad Grebel College.
    Published Painting the Grand River Valley, 62-page, full-colour book

  • 2006

    Commission for the Shantz Reunion Committee celebrating 200 years of the Shantz Family in the Waterloo Region.
    Commission for the Galt Country Club to celebrate their Centennial.
    Personal Commission of the Harmony Lunch, Waterloo

  • 2007

    Selected by the Waterloo Public Library for Waterloo 150 (150 individuals who have shaped the Waterloo community over the past 150 years) in celebration of the City of Waterloo 150th birthday.
    Mural of the Parasaurolophus Dinosaur for the Earth Sciences Museum as part of the University of Waterloos 50th Anniversary.
    Historical painting of the Schneider House, Queen Street, Kitchener, for the Joseph and Barbara (Eby) Schneider 200th Anniversary/Reunion Planning Committee.
    Commemorative painting of the New Hamburg Historic Grandstand.
    Introduced a new interpretive style of painting to complement the traditional work of the past forty years

  • 2008

    Commission painting for Gay Lea Foods marking their 100th Anniversary.
    Purchase of reproductions for retirees by Maple Leaf Foods of a personally commissioned painting of the original J.M. Schneider shop.
    Extended trip to France which included several weeks on a canal boat.
    The Erb Group of Companies commissioned painting to celebrate their 50 years in business, incorporating many items with much sentimental value.
    Commission painting of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Fergus, with reproductions used as a fundraiser towards the purchase of a new organ.

  • 2009

    Started a large project to create a new website with a change of architecture.
    Closed the Gallery

  • 2011

    My View a six episode series for Rogers TV

  • 2012

    Large group of paintings donated to Grand River Hospital.

    See paintings donated

  • 2014

    Donated group of Paintings to St. Mary’s Hospital.

    See Paintings Donated

  • 2015

    Donated group of Paintings to Innisfree House.

    See Paintings Donated

  • 2016

    Niece of the artist, Cynthia Weber heads up the design and launch of a new website. Pete transfers copyright of his complete portfolio to Cynthia.

  • August 28th 2017

    Peter's Death