There are growing concerns about the fate of a series of paintings that many people believe are an intrinsic part of the province’s cultural fabric.

Famed Newfoundland artist Gerald Squires was commissioned to create paintings of the stations of the cross for Mary Queen of the World Roman Catholic Church in Mount Pearl.

The church building was sold to Calvary Baptist Church last year as part of the ongoing sale of RC Church assets to satisfy the claims of victims of abuse of Mount Cashel Orphanage.

The paintings were not part of the church sale and instead went up on auction, but it’s since been learned that none of the bids met the minimum price set.

Michael Boyle is one of a number of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who believe The Rooms or provincial government should intervene and ensure that the paintings stay in the province.

He told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly something must be done.

He says if the provincial government can’t buy the paintings back, then maybe they should be returned to Squires’ estate.