Tom Butterfield is the founder and creative director of The Masterworks Museum. He attended the Bermuda High School for Girls when it was a coed school (five boys only!) before he went on to Warwick Academy. He graduated with honors from Ryerson University and founded Masterworks Foundation in 1987. Butterfield received his Queen’s Badge and Certificate that same year and received an M.B.E. in 2012.
- What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Without question, the best advice was not to show up on time but 5 minutes ahead of time, so that the meeting started on time. It was a show of respect about other’s time and that of your own.
- What keeps you up at night?
Ideas stream through the mind at all hours – creating has no time clock. The search for new material is without end – I always want to do more and to do better with more – or “mo’ better.”
- What’s your favourite thing to do on Sunday?
This is my day to refresh, renew, hang out, and go nowhere. I like to be adorned in sloppy, comfortable clothes and to be with my dogs – get photographing, listen to music (and lots of it) – try some writing, futz and putter, tinker and do other therapeutic, non-communicative methods to chill and reconnect.
- What was your first job ever?
At age nine, with an allowance of a shilling or something similarly miniscule, my first job was in Canada as a caddy – the guys would smoke cigars, tell jokes all the way around the course, but I made $1.75 with tip. I was in heaven – fresh with a feeling of accomplishment – a caddy!
- Who was your favourite teacher as achild?
Miss Rose – a red-haired beauty who taught at Warwick Academy. She was every boy’s fantasy at 12 – loved her and the potato cuts she taught us. If I could, I would get to school early. One day I saw Miss Rose on Mr. Hanlon’s boat creeping back on a day off – my heart sank like the Titanic…at 11 1/2!
