This month offers a brief window of opportunity for anyone who loves to be amazed and humbled by artistic genius to take in the work of model maker Gordon Johnson in all its wonder.

Our website is currently hosting a wonderful video of Gordon’s widow Toni talking about the work of the Enniskillen artist who was also a writer and cartoonist as his work is on show together under one roof in a stunning exhibition at Fermanagh County Museum. Among those models featured are those he created for a Titanic exhibition, which have never been shown in Fermanagh before.

The Titanic displays are among a number to have come from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and they were also shown in America, where they were very well received.

Another model entitled The Last Bus beautifully captures the last bus home in the evening in Belfast during the 1950s and The Bianconi Long Car features local “models” as passengers.

The Claddagh Ballet depicts ballet dancers, inspired by the water coming down at Claddagh Glen.

An old flying machine with a lady beautifully dressed on board hangs from the ceiling and the exhibition includes portraits and paintings including Tiger Tiger and Upper Lough McNean.

Gordon Johnson came to Fermanagh in the 1960s and made this county his home. As well as teaching art, his time was spent creating exquisite models, arresting for their accuracy, wit and beauty. Enniskillen and Fermanagh were the richer for his presence. Indeed, his works in the Aughakillymaude Mummers Centre are testament to his connection to this place and the people.

Gordon Johnson has been described as the Magical Imagineer -- a perfect title for one whose work has brought joy to many.

But by the end of this month, the exhibition will be packed away. And while it has been meaningful to bring his work to be seen as a whole, it is time for Enniskillen to mark this magical man in a more permanent way.

Gordon Johnson and latterly his family have shared his talent and his vision with the people of this county, and it would be wholly fitting for the people of this county to remember his contribution to the artistic life of his adopted home.

He was a rare talent who has left a wonderful legacy. It is only right that Gordon Johnson would be remembered in an official capacity, as a man whose talented works still bring delighted wonder to those who have the privilege of seeing them.