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Virgil Broodhagen was born in Barbados on September 1^st, 1943.  He was educated at St. Mary’s Boys’ school, Combermere Secondary Boys’ School and the Barbados Technical Institute.  At Combermere, under the tutelage of his late father renowned artist Karl Broodhagen, he distinguished himself as being the first Eastern Caribbean student to attain an Advanced level certificate in sculpture. 

He immigrated to Canada on December 29^th, 1966, where he continued his formal education in Winnipeg. Virgil holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba.

His love for Barbados is depicted in his paintings of  “old Barbadian scenes” which he paints realistically in oil and watercolour.  He also paints in acrylics when representing the Barbadian theme in abstract form.  In September 2001, the Broodhagen father and son team celebrated their 31^st anniversary of exhibiting together in Barbados.  Since his father’s death in August 2002, Virgil has continued the tradition and celebrated the 33^rd anniversary in December 2003.

Virgil has exhibited in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Windsor, Amherstburg, the Yukon, and Winnipeg Canada; New York, Boston, Washington, Winter Park, Philadelphia, Miami, Baltimore, Hartford, Charleston, North Carolina and Dearborn U.S.A; London, England and Florence Italy.

One of Virgil’s paintings was featured on one of a five stamp series of Barbadian Postage Stamps, issued in July 1995.  The stamps and first day cover were designed by Karl Broodhagen and issued to commemorate the 300^th anniversary of Combermere School. 

On at least six occasions, paintings by Virgil Broodhagen have been acquired by the Government of Barbados and presented as gifts to foreign Heads of State.  Virgil’s paintings are mostly privately owned throughout the world.

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