In March of 1919, students at Nutana Collegiate (called Saskatoon Collegiate Institute until 1923) announced they would establish a memorial for the 29 alumni soldiers who died in the First World War. Principal Alfred J. Pyke instead suggested creating a Memorial Art Gallery that consisted exclusively of paintings by Canadian artists. They purchased one painting by a different artist for each fallen soldier.
Florence Carlyle's Ave Maria was acquired in 1919 and dedicated to James Gordon Searles. It is hung in the auditorium on the top floor of the school.
James attended Saskatoon Collegiate Institute from 1910 to 1915. He enlisted on 1 November 1915 and took part in fighting at Vimy Ridge, Arras, Lens, Passchendaele, Amiens and Mons. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross and received the Military Cross. James was gassed at Passchendaele and died at Fort Qu'Appelle in February 1923.
