June 2011 - Arts and Letters Club

Visual Arts Newsby Alan RayExecutive ListThe Art Committee is pleased to announce that MarjoriePepper has designed this year’s Executive List, adding to ourmore than 100-year-old collection in the Lounge.PLEIN AIR PAINTERS AND FRIENDSThe June gathering will take place at the home of Win andBarry Henstock in Oakville on Saturday, June 18.Remember, this invitation is open to all Club members,painters or not. The painters can start their projects early inthe day; the others can join in for the potluck lunch andsocial time starting about 12:30 p.m. For details anddirection, please pick up the notice that will be placed on thelounge piano by June 1. If you have any questions, callBarbara Rose at 416-481-3755 or email her atalbertarose40@hotmail.com.EXHIBITION SCHEDULEMay 28 to June 10Group ShowDrop-off dates and times for artists:• Friday, May 27, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., OR• Saturday, May 28, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ONLY. Allwork must be delivered before 10:00 a.m.• Jurying begins Saturday, May 28, at 10 a.m.• Installation begins 11:00 a.m. (Volunteers welcome.)June 25 to September 9Summer ShowDrop-off dates and times for artists:• Friday, June 24, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., OR• Saturday, June 25, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ONLY. Allwork must be delivered before 10:00 a.m.• Jurying begins Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m.• Installation begins 11:00 a.m. (Volunteers welcome.)Reminders to artists for all exhibitions:• Your work must be clearly identified on the back;• You are responsible for having the title and price ofyour work ready for inclusion on the three-part form.Upcoming Art Events• June 11 to June 24: Emerging Artists’ Show• June 14: Reception for Emerging Artists• July 4: Art Club Night, Film to be determinedTHIRD FLOOR STUDIOOlja Müller (costumed models, three-week pose) runs thesessions every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. witha half-hour break for lunch. The cost is $36.00 for the threeweekperiod. Claudine Pope/Wendy Boyd (costumedmodels) and Andrew Sookrah (nude models) run the lifedrawing and painting sessions on the third floor on Friday andSunday respectively. The Friday sessions go from 10 a.m. tonoon and from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. The cost is $10.00 foreither the morning or the afternoon session and $15.00 forboth. The Sunday sessions go from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.The cost is $15.00 for the day and $10.00 for half-day.LAST HURRAH!Several weeks ago, when one of our professional memberswas, quite wisely, tackling the myriad challenges he facedwhen organizing his estate, he phoned me. He wonderedif I could suggest how he might ensure that, after hisdeath, his family would know what to do with hiscountless belongings, family heirlooms—and, inparticular, the spectacular paintings in his studio.This was the beginning of a series of compellingdiscussions with various Club members, many of whomhad assumed that they would get at their estate planning… “one of these days.” It all came to a head with theformation of yet another Club committee. We’re calling itthe “Last Hurrah!” It’s a small group consisting of onemember representing each of the five LAMPS disciplines,each a knowledgeable person who will be available toadvise Club members dealing with these challenges.To date, the committee consists of:Literature: Hugh Anson-CartwrightArchitecture: Lorna KellyMusic: Larry LakePainting: Barbara MitchellStage: Michael SpenceOur librarian, William Denton, will also be on thecommittee and we’ll have someone dealing with legalqueries.Some years ago, The Globe and Mail’s Michael Valpywrote an insightful column entitled Realizing that theparty will go on without you. That is something that all ofus know but, far too often, we choose to ignore it. Now,we’re giving it a try.Margaret McBurney6 June 2011

Photography in Focusby Gord FultonThe topic for discussion andcritique at our last meeting wascomposition, and we saw manydifferent aspects of that subject.Some concentrated on the rule ofthirds, others on colour, and yetothers paid attention to a road orpathway that led the eye into thephotograph or away from the scene.Lucy Giles introduced us to the jury’srules for flower arranging. Many ofthese also apply to taking a goodphotograph. Jack Gilbert, ourresident Photo Shop Guru, gave ussome great insight into the art offraming the subject.The image shown here is byMarvyne Jenoff and is entitledEggs, Glass #1011. It illustrates thecomposition principle that curvedlines draw the viewer’s eye into thepicture.Canoeing Again with Ruth & KenYou are invited to join us for another delightful evening,Thursday, June 9, as we paddle from the HarbourfrontCanoe & Kayak Club to Centre Island via a War Canoe.Join the fun as we meet at 6:00 p.m., pick up our paddlesand life preservers and off we go.On our return, we will enjoy the conviviality of our groupwhile we snack on BBQ goodies—contributing only $10per person.Please make a reservation with Ruth Morawetz or KenJudd at 416-925-0284.ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEESA notice of the annual membership fees for 2011-2012was mailed on March 1. The annual fees were due onApril 1.I would like to thank all those members who have alreadypaid their annual fees. For those who haven’t, there is notime like the present!W.W. BuchananFCA, TreasurerDonors’ Wall—Art Gallery ofOntarioIn the atrium of the Art Gallery of Ontario, there is awall with the names of the donors to the newly renovatedgallery etched into the wall.When you look, you will see the “Arts and Letters Club ofToronto.” During the fundraising for this event in 2008,Anne Lazare-Mirvish gave the Club $500.00, to use forany project we chose. The minimum donation to haveyour name on the wall was $1,000.00.I got in touch with Anne, and asked her if she wouldconsider another donation of $500.00, so that we couldhave the name of the Club on the wall. She agreed, andshortly afterward we sent the Art Gallery a cheque in thename of the Club.It is important that the Club has its name on this wall; weare an integral part of the arts in Toronto, in Ontario,and in Canada. Remember this when you see the Clubname on the wall, and thank Charter woman and artist,Anne Lazare-Mirvish, for the generous donation.Lorna KellyJune 2011 7

Spring Revue PhotosMerry-Go-RoundFrom L to R: Damon Lum, Sheila Craig Waengler, John Rammell,Ellen Edmonds, Karina Rammell, Rob Prince, and Wilson West.The Company of Merry-Go-RoundFrom L to R: John Rammell, Martha Spence and Rob PrinceWHAT’S ON IN JUNEWriters TablePlease join us on Friday, June 3, at 12:00 noon in theLAMPSroom when our speaker will be Rae Fleming on“Writing: That Blend of Desperation and Elation.” Rae willsurvey his varied career as a writer, editor, and, for the pastyear, as a journalist. He will explain sources and inspirationfor his books and articles, and, importantly, given the factthat the financial rewards are few, what drives him tocontinue. Expect him to be blunt about the frustrations ofwriting and publishing. He will attempt to explain, as hesees it, the nature and perils of biography, no matterwhether it be commissioned or unauthorized: memberswill recall last year’s acclaimed and controversial PeterGzowski: A Biography. He will reveal a new love: shortarticles, many of them profiles, published in a livelymagazine called The Ramara Chronicle.Rae Fleming grew up in an Ontario general store wherestory-telling was as important as over-the-counter sales.His education began in a one-room school nearby, and inhigh schools in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls. In 1962 hemoved to the enormously large city of Toronto to studymodern languages. After a few years of teaching at theprimary and secondary levels, he returned to university in1979, this time to the University of Saskatchewan wherehe earned an MA and a PhD in history. His doctoral thesiswas a biography of railway builder Sir William Mackenzie,who came from Kirkfield, Ontario, not far from thegeneral store of Rae’s childhood. Today, Rae is a ResearchAssociate at the Frost Centre for Canadian Studies andIndigenous Studies, Trent University, Peterborough.Bring your lunch from the Great Hall buffet table to theLAMPSroom at 12:00 noon or join us for Rae’s talk at1:00 pm. For further information, please contact DonaldGillies at 416-960-8326 or dgillies@ryerson.ca.8 June 2011

WHAT’S ON IN JUNEClub NightsBar 5:30 p.m.; Dinner 6:30 p.m.Price $22.00, payable at the door.Monday, June 6The Stage Committee presentsThe American Dreamby Edward AlbeeMonday, June 13RAYMOND SPASOVSKIPianoThe wizard of the keyboard returns.Mendelssohn, Montsalvatge, Ravel, Albeniz, DebussyMonday, June 27DANIELLE FRASER and GORDON FULTON“Travels North & South”Join our inveterate world travellers, Gord Fulton andDanielle Fraser, as they share with us their photographs ofSummer in South America and Winter in North America.Monday, June 20JANICE PASSAFIUME“Conservation for Artists, Curators and Collectors: TheEvolution of Research”The field of art conservation seeks to add life to works of art.Ever-growing ingenuity and experimentation on the part ofartists require that the conservator and conservationscientists match stride with them—and even anticipatewhat preservation challenges may arise. Current technologyand the research into the preservation, identification, andtreatment of artwork focus on the question: “How long doyou want the artwork to last?”Janice Passafiume, Senior Conservator of JANA Fine Art CPRLtd., will give a presentation on common conservationrelatedproblems in works of art on paper and paintings,past conservation treatment methods, and the currentresearch projects being carried out in her conservation lab.Film Night5.30 p.m. Bar; 6.30 p.m. DinnerPrice $22 payable at the doorWednesday, June 29THE GRAPES OF WRATHHosted by John TwomeyJohn Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ofthe “dirty thirties” in rural America was brought to thescreen by John Ford, winning him the Best Director Oscarfor 1940. Jane Darwell won an Academy Award forher supporting role as Ma Joad.June 2011 9

WHAT’S ON IN JUNELiterary TablesLunch 12:00 noonPrice $18.00. Please reserve at ext. 2 (voicemail)Tuesday, June 7RUSSELL POOLEof the University of Western Ontario“Bears and Butternuts: Viking Trophies from the Far West.”Tuesday, June 21PROFESSOR BRIAN PARKER“Brecht and Shakespeare”Reversing normal historical procedure, Brian Parker willconsider whether theatrical techniques that Brecht derivedfrom the Elizabethans may perhaps throw light onShakespeare’s use of such techniques inOthello and King Lear.Tuesday, June 28NO LITERARY TABLE SPEAKER THIS WEEK.FÊTE CHAMPÊTREJohn Lawson has very kindly offered his lovelygarden at 28 Elgin Avenue,Toronto, Ontario M5R 1G6,for this year’s Literary Table fête champêtreon Tuesday, June 28, at 12:00 noon.This is a potluck occasion (either cold main dishesor sweet/dessert dishes).If possible, please also bring a folding gardenchair with you.That the Vikings had a settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows,Newfoundland, is a celebrated discovery dating fromslightly more than 60 years ago. Less known is that a fewspecimen butternuts (a relative of the walnut) were found atthe site. This talk offers some evidence and speculation onhow the Norse voyagers might have obtained thiscommodity and taken it back to Norway for presentationto King Óláfr Haraldsson. Some remarks are addedon a favourite Norse trophy gift—bears captured in and off Greenland.Tuesday, June 14PROFESSOR WILLIAM BLISSETTMusic WednesdayLunch 12:00 noonPrice $18.00. Please reserve at ext. 2 (voicemail)Wednesday, June 1CHRISTOPHER MOKRZEWSKIPianoWednesday, June 8AMELIA LYONFluteWednesday, June 15JANICE LAMARRE, ViolaMICHAEL BERKOVSKY, piano10 June 2011“Richard III and the ‘Breathing World’“

WHAT’S ON IN JUNEAd Lib7:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.June 3Art Songs. The incredibleBruce Ferreira-Wells hosts anevening which will feature hisvocal styling of a variety ofFrench art songs. Bruce’stalents and warm performingcharm have been the focus ofincreased attention bothwithin and without the Club over the past few years.Favourable comparisons have been made to Nat King Coleand Harry Belafonte. Bruce is really not to be missed. Allwelcome. Studio. 8:00 p.m. Come early to get a seat.June 10It’s another Ad Lib Double-Bill. In the Studio starting at7:30 p.m., Ad Lib founder Michael Symonds is proud tointroduce the writers’ group Moosemeat on the occasion oftheir eighth annual chapbook publication. Authors EdBrown, Mary Lou Dickinson, Heather J. Wood andcomedian/author/friend of Ad Lib, Jerry Schaefer, will bereading from their works. And……in the Great Hall starting at 8:00 p.m., it’s an evening ofinternational dance. First, new Club member Anita Elishawill perform a semi-classical Indian Kathak dance. Then RobPrince will once again introduce dance instructor andinternational performer Mandy Hanafi. Mandy will bedemonstrating and teaching the samba, the national danceof Brazil, so bring your dancing shoes.June 17JOTO—JAMMIN’ ON THE ONEDamon Lum (of recent Spring Revue fame) and Stevie J(Johnson) host their monthly evening of improv and standupcomedy. All members are more than welcome toparticipate. Improv workshops begin at 6:30 p.m. for thosewishing to hone their stage skills. JOTO begins at 8:00 p.m.in the Studio.June 24Hosts Andrew Sookrah and Farhad Nargol-O’Neill presenta special Outreach Exhibition—showing works by artistswho are not members, yet. The artists will be in attendance.These “outside” artists represent top new talent from the artcolleges and from in and around Toronto who have beeninvited specifically for this evening’s exposition. Allmembers are strongly encouraged to support what will bean important evening—both for the artists themselves andpotentially for our Club. Studio, 7:00 p.m.PLEASE NOTE that the planning session for theautumn/winter/spring sessions will take place in the Studioat 6:00 p.m. A new Chair of Ad Lib will be chosen thisevening.Photography GroupOur next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 8, at6:00 p.m. and as always sandwiches and a cookie will beavailable for the modest fee of $6.00. Please let me know byFriday, June 3, if you would like the snack.The topic for this meeting (with the city in full bloom) is florain all their forms. One of the photos should use the framingtechnique. You are invited to submit five images either on aCD or a memory stick for discussion.New people are always welcome to attend and contribute.We also welcome mailed-in images for discussion. Even if youcannot be there with us in person, your photographs can.Please contact Gord Fulton for further information(gordon.fulton@rogers.com).LAMPS-Lab!In 1908, Augustus Bridle spoke of: “a gathering of gentlemen(we’ve moved past the gentlemen only, obviously) who metto weigh the advantages that might result from frequentassociation of ideas, motives, temperaments, and aspirations,all, of course, tracing their sources to at least one of the higherarts—painting, literature, architecture, sculpture, music.” Aquotation from The Great Adventure by Margaret McBurney.LAMPS-Lab! is an opportunity for all LAMPS members,whether new student members or active professionalmembers, to compare notes, converse about every aspect oftheir respective careers, and learn about the workingpractices of other members. Mentor and collaborate andcreate, declaim or recite. Feel free to show works and verysimply just BE in the company of like-minded spirits.The Lab sessions are now entering their second month andhave been well attended by members. Discussions haveincluded subjects such as the state of the Toronto art sceneas well as what is happening nationally and internationallyin the visual arts; what is happening in the art colleges anduniversities; what members are making and where they areshowing; the work of member film makers; what interestingthings are happening musically and in the world of dance inthe city; the state of the Canada Council and funding for theArts; the art of the garden and the art of meditation… A newsingle-act script about the earthquake in Japan was read atone Lab and a maquette of a roof top patio was made atanother. Carving and drawing have been with interspersedwith music and singing and the reciting of poetry. The Labsessions are dedicated to all the LAMPS disciplines.All members are welcome and may invite guests whoseinterests and practice fall into the same vein. There will beno formal agenda and all present are encouraged to sharetheir thoughts and ideas. The bar will be open from5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. and $6.00 food plates will be available.The LAMPS-Lab! sessions usually take place in the Studiobut check when you come to the Club.June 2011 11

June 2011Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday5Sunday Painters12Sunday Painters19Sunday Painters26Sunday Painters .6Membership Mtg5:15 p.m.Club NightStage Cttee presentsThe AmericanDreamDinner 6:30 p.m.Show 8:00 p.m.13Club NightRaymondSpasovski, piano5:30 p.m. Cash Bar6:30 p.m. Dinner20Club NightJanice Passafiume“Art Conservation”5:30 p.m. Cash Bar6:30 p.m. Dinner27Club NightDanielle Fraser &Gordon Fulton“TravelsNorth & South”5:30 p.m. Cash Bar6:30 p.m. Dinner7Literary TableLunchRussell Poole ofUWO“Bears andButternuts: VikingTrophies from theFar West”12 noon14Lit Cttee Mtg10:45 a.m.Literary Table LunchProf William Blissett“Richard III & the‘Breathing World’”12 noon”LampsletterDeadline21Literary TableLunchProf Brian Parker“Brecht andShakespeare”12 noonExecutive Mtg5:15 p.m.28Literary TableLunchFête champêtrePotluck luncheonchez John Lawson1Painters’ StudioMusic Cttee Mtg10:30 a.m.Music Wed. LunchChristopherMokrzewski, piano12 noon8 9Painters’ StudioMusic Wed. LunchAmelia Lyon, flutist12 noonPhotography Gp6–9 p.m.Stage Cttee Mtg6 p.m.1516Painters’ StudioMusic Wed. LunchJanice LaMarre, violaMichael Berkovsky, piano12 noonStage Cttee Mtg 6 p.m.Pres Expedition—Royal AlexWomen Fully Clothed2Annual Meetingand DinnerMeeting 5:15 p.m.Cash Bar, post-meetingDinner 7:00 p.m.LAMPS-Lab!5:00–10:00 p.m.LAMPS-Lab!5:00–10:00 p.m.Garden Partychez Joan Dubros5:30 p.m. Cash Bar7:00 p.m. DinnerLAMPS-Lab!5:00–10:00 p.m.22 23 24Painters’ Studio Tea with theMusic Wed. Lunch PresidentResumes in 4:00–5:00 p.m.September Call for reservationsLAMPS-Lab!5:00–10:00 p.m.House Cttee Mtg5:30 p.m.29Painters’ StudioMusic Wed. LunchResumes inSeptemberArt Cttee Mtg6 p.m.Film NightThe Grapes of WrathCash Bar 5:30 p.m.Dinner 6:30 p.m.30LAMPS-Lab!5:00–10:00 p.m.3 Painters’ StudioTGIF Lunch 12 noonWriters Table 12 noonRae Fleming“Writing: That Blend ofDesperation and Elation”Ad Lib 8:00 p.m.“Art Songs”Bruce Ferreira-WellsStage Cttee presentsThe American DreamDinner 6:30 Show 8:004Stage Cttee presentsThe AmericanDreamDinner 6:30 p.m.Show 8:00 p.m.1011Painters’ Studio Art InstallationTGIF Lunch12 noonAd Lib 7:30 p.m.Double BillMoosemeat/StudioInternationalDance/Great Hall17Painters’ StudioTGIF Lunch12 noonAd Lib 8:00 p.m.JOTOImprov Workshop6:30 p.m.Hosts: Stevie J, andDamon LumPainters’ StudioTGIF Lunch 12 noonLAMPSletter MailingAd Lib 8:00 p.m.Outreach ExhibitionHosts: AndrewSookrah & FarhadNargol-O’Neill18Plein Air Painters& Friendschez Win & BarryHenstock, OakvillePotluck lunch12:30 p.m.25Art InstallationPlease Note Tuesday Deadline for Next Issue:Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 12:00 noonPlease ensure that the time and date of each event are clearlymarked.All submissions are to be in LAMPSletter mailbox or (samedeadline) via e-mail (preferred to mailbox submissions).Please Note The Following Contact InformationE-mail to the attention of the editor, Angel Di Zhang,lampsletter@artsandlettersclub.caPostal mail or telephone to the attention of Naomi HunterTelephone: 416-597-0223, ext. 3The LAMPSletter is also available each month on our websitewww.artsandlettersclub.ca.RESERVATION/CANCELLATION POLICIESReserve with Naomi, 416-597-0223, ext. 2. (voicemail).Advance reservations are encouraged to avoid disappointment!Reservations are required for all events with meals except for TGIF lunch.Reservations for Special Events and Members’ Dinners are accepted onpayment by credit or debit card, cash or cheque at time of reservation.Club Night, Lit. Lunch, Music Table, Film Night and TGIF lunch arepayable at the door or bar.Members’ Dinners may be cancelled without charge up to 24 hours beforethe event.Cancellations for Special Events are permitted only in extraordinarycircumstances.Cancellations for Lit. Lunch and Music Table are accepted by 10 a.m. thesame day; cancellations for Club Night are accepted by 2 p.m. the sameday. Full charges will apply if cancellation is not received.