Louis Garneau's Art Supports 'Whirlwind' Documentary on Major Taylor

Louis Garneau is stepping into the art world to support the financing of the documentary film Whirlwind. This project explores the life and achievements of Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor, the first black cyclist to win a world championship. Garneau, inspired by Taylor’s legacy, is contributing 100 of his paintings to this cause. Each painting is priced at $10,000, with proceeds going entirely to the production of Whirlwind. The paintings will be available worldwide.

Exhibition of "Resilience"

A curated selection of 25 pieces from Garneau’s collection will be showcased in an exhibition titled “Resilience” at the Worcester Center for Crafts. This exhibition will run from June 27 to July 5, with an opening reception on June 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Krikorian Gallery. Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be made by RSVP.

Garneau shared his creative process: “I can’t imagine painting just one picture. I want to express myself through a series of paintings, in order to discover the limits of my creativity. As in sports, each painting is altered by the series, the repetition, the energy, and the fatigue, creating stronger and more fragile images.”

The Story Behind "Whirlwind"

Born in Indianapolis in 1878, Major Taylor’s exceptional cycling talents were discovered by a bicycle factory owner who mentored him. Moving to Worcester, Taylor was trained to become the fastest cyclist alive. His international competitions in Europe and Australia earned him widespread acclaim, a stark contrast to his experience in the U.S.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Worcester-based filmmaker Cyrille Vincent embarked on creating a documentary to bring Taylor's story to a broader audience. The concept trailer for Whirlwind was released in November 2023. Vincent and his team are now raising $1.25 million to complete the film.