A View from the Atlantic Sobey Art Award - Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

AGNewSAGNS remembersAnn MacDonaldThe Art Gallery of Nova Scotia issaddened by the recent loss ofAnn MacDonald. Ann workedwith the AGNS security detailin a part time capacity for morethan 15 years. Her dedication tothe AGNS and her spirit will bemissed.Donald Sobey appointedHonorary GovernorThe Art Gallery of Nova Scotiais pleased to announce DonaldSobey’s appointment as anHonourary Governor of the Gallery.On June 25th, the Boardof Governor’s of the AGNSunanimously recommendedMr. Sobey’s appointment tothis honourary governorship,and, the recommendation waspromptly accepted.Mr. Sobey’s leadership in Canadianart is well documented.His many commitments to theAGNS, other arts’ institutionsand the Sobey collection atCrombie House demonstrate hisdedication to the preservationand promotion of Canadian Art.Spear-heading the Sobey ArtAward, Mr. Sobey helped introducea new concept in Canadianphilanthropy inaugurating thelargest art award for a youngCanadian artist. The SobeyArt Award began as a biennialaward to be given to an artistunder 40 whom has had a showin a public or commercial artgallery in the past 18 months. In2007, the Sobey Art Foundationenhanced this commitment bymaking the biennial event anannual award. The winner of theaward is decided by a panel ofcuratorial advisors, one froma major Gallery in each of fiveregions in Canada: the Atlantic,Quebec, Ontario, Prairies andWestern Canada, West Coast.The winner receives a prize of$50,000, with the remaining 4finalists receiving $5,000 each.Mr. Sobey notes, “While thisaward shines a spotlight on creativeminds across this country, Ihope it will also stimulate interest,discussion and debate regardingCanadian contemporaryart. Since the inaugural awardin 2002, enthusiasm about theaward has grown and we wantto build on that momentum bymaking Canadian contemporaryart more accessible.” As thehost and organizing institution,the Sobey Art Award also helpssolidify the Art Gallery of NovaScotia’s commitment to theexhibition of contemporary art.Donald Sobey, as Chair of theSobey Art Foundation, is adedicated supporter and collectorof Canadian visual art.The Sobey Art Foundation caresfor the fine collection of 19thand 20th century Canadian artat Crombie House, the formerhome of Frank and Irene Sobeyin Pictou County, Nova Scotia.The collection, which is opento the public each Wednesdayduring July and August or by appointmentthroughout the year,contains an impressive range ofworks from many of Canada’sleading painters, including CorneliusKreighoff, Tom Thomson,and J.E.H. McDonald. CrombieHouse illustrates Donald Sobey’scommitment to making greatCanadian art accessible to allincluding rural Canadian communitiesand demonstrates hiscommitment to enhancing ournational identity through thevisual arts.The Art Gallery of Nova Scotiais governed by a 21-personBoard of Governors who areappointed by the Governorin Council. Members comefrom throughout the provinceand represent the business,volunteer and artistic communities.The Cabinet appointsHonourary Governors to the ArtGallery of Nova Scotia for life.The appointments are made inrecognition of their outstandingcontributions to the Galleryand the Arts. It is his vision thatthe AGNS celebrates with thenaming of Donald Sobey as anHonourary Governor of the ArtGallery of Nova Scotia.AGNS welcomesCFO, Gina ThompsonThe Art Gallery of Nova Scotia ispleased to announce that GinaThompson has been named theChief Financial Officer for theArt Gallery of Nova Scotia. Ms.Thompson began her duties atthe Art Gallery of Nova Scotiaon March 30, 2009.Prior to working at the AGNS,Ms. Thompson was Director ofFinance at Cox and Palmer. Ginahas an extensive background inpublishing, having relocated toNova Scotia from Owen SoundOntario in 1999 to be Controllerat the Halifax Daily News. Beforemoving to Nova Scotia, Gina wasthe Manager of Finance at TheSun Times for several years. Shealso held Financial managementpositions at Westinghouse Electricand Caterpillar of Canada.Gina has her C.M.A. designationand holds a Bachelor of Artsfrom the University of Waterloo.AGNS announces newDirector of Development,Bernard DoucetThe Art Gallery of Nova Scotiais pleased to announce thatBernard Doucet has been appointedthe Gallery’s new Directorof Development. Mr. Doucetbegan his duties on March 9th.Mr. Doucet brings a diversebackground from both the privateand public sectors includingthe Parliament of Canada aswell as the retail and corporateinternational sectors of the ScotiabankGroup. Most recentlyMr. Doucet was AccountDirector at Arts & Communications,one of Canada’s leadingboutique cultural sponsorshipmarketing agencies, wherehe worked with numerousvisual arts organizations andcultural institutions. His mostrecent clients, prior to joiningthe AGNS, include: the TorontoInternational Art Fair, No 9 Artand the Environment CuratorialAgency, the Bata Shoe Museumand the Toronto Artists’ Project.Ray Cronin, Mary Lynk, Lady Valda Ondaatje, John Greer, Sir Christopher Ondaatje andJohn Oliver in front of Greer’s statue Origins on the evening of the 2009 AGNeS Award.His experience gives the AGNS anational perspective on culturalsponsorship as well as privateand corporate philanthropy inthe visual arts. Mr. Doucet holdsa Bachelor of Arts from McMasterUniversity and an MBA fromDalhousie University.Autism Arts in ActionWith the very generous supportof The Craig Foundation, TheArt Gallery of Nova Scotia, inpartnership with the ProvincialAutism Centre, celebrates twosuccessful years of Autism Arts.Specially-designed art classes,facilitated by an artist and occupationaltherapist, are offered onSaturdays in the AGNS studios forchildren and youth with Autism,from age 6 to teens.“The success of Autism Artsover the last two years has beenoutstanding. For many childrenand teens with autism, thisprogram is the first successfulcommunity-based activity theyhave ever participated in. We arevery grateful that the Art Galleryof Nova Scotia recognizesthe importance of communityprograms like Autism Arts.”Cynthia CarrollExecutive DirectorProvincial Autism CentreArt & WellnessSince 2003, the Art Gallery ofNova Scotia has been workingin a variety of ways with theIWK Health Centre. Together,through exhibitions, specialworkshops, and consultation,we have further demonstratedthe important link between artand wellness. This past June,AGNS helped to organize HandsTogether, an interactive communityart piece to celebratethe IWK’s Centennial.Working over a two-day periodwith IWK patients and their families,staff, physicians, visitors,and volunteers, artists HeatherWilkinson and Melissa Marr createda site-specific felted muralcelebrating the strength anddiversity of the IWK community.Art is an ideal way to visually tellthis story. This mural is now ondisplay at IWK.The following are a few wordsfrom people involved in AGNS/IWK partnership initiatives includingparticipants in the AGNSArt Program with Choices:“Participation in the artspositively affects at least sevenof Health Canada’s twelve KeyDeterminants of Health. Child Lifeis very proud to work in collaborationwith AGNS to offer such highquality arts programming tothe children, youth, families andstaff members at the IWK. Thearts play a very important rolein helping children, youth andfamilies to cope with the stressesof healthcare experiences byallowing emotional expression,building self esteem and facilitatingdevelopment.”Krista Newman-BennettChildlife Specialist“I loved this experience! It mademe think LESS! Helped me cope,just have a lot of fun! I’d so loveto do it again. It’s something I’llnever forget!”“Coming to the art gallery hasimproved my mood.. I was reallyexcited about looking at the artwork, but I really enjoyed theproject that we did. It was relaxingand it helped me learn to trustmy partner. I would love to comeagain.”“I love this place! Just all the thingswe do were so creative.”“It was sweet!”Comments from Participantsinvolved with the AGNS Art Programwith Choices AdolescentAddiction and Mental HealthProgram IWK.Art Tour ComitteeThe Art Tour Committee of theAGNS has been organizing artcentredtrips for members since1984. Since 1990 these havebeen an annual event.Each year three trips are offered.The spring trip, for 2-3weeks in late April/early May,aims to explore and enjoy theart, architecture, culture andnatural setting of a particularcity or area, usually in Europe.Last year’s trip to Sicily andRome gave travellers a chanceto enjoy a stunningly beautifulisland with artistic treasuresranging from Greek temples toNorman cathedrals to jewel-likeBaroque cities, before going onto savour the glories of Rome.Plans are already under way tovisit Amsterdam next April. Thecity has magnificent art galleries,and is a delight to strollaround. We will take side tripsto some of the lovely smallercities around Amsterdam, andto the Kroller-Mueller Musuemin Otterlo with its amazing VanGogh collection.Nova ScotiaDesigner Crafts CouncilCunard Event Centre on Pier 23961 Marginal Road, Halifax WaterfrontFriday 10:00am-8:00pm,Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-5:00pmDay Pass $6.00, Weekend Pass $8.00Seniors & Students $5.00, Kids Under 12 FreeFOR INFORMATION CALL 423-3837WWW.NSDCC.NS.CACraft MarketNovember 20-22, 2009The Designer MarketOn the Waterfront32ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA FALL JOURNAL 2009 ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA FALL JOURNAL 2009 33