Scotiabank, a new public art space, a work/live space and an auction house show art in bloom.
For the past 20 years, the Toronto artist Kirby Anderson and his family have resided in an eclectic King St. West studio/ living space which he generously opened up to Partners in Art members on a rainy Saturday in April. Much of Kirby’s work is built with layers which allow the viewer the opportunity to rediscover the work as the light and materials change. One of Kirby’s more unusual exhibits was staged in a telephone booth.
The month began with a visit and lunch at the McMichael Gallery with acting curator Sarah Milroy who led members on a tour of three powerful Canadian female artists: Rita Letendre, Françoise Sullivan, and Marie-Claire Blais.
Members also gathered for a salon evening – a conversation on the topic of art in the public realm at the home of PIA member, Antonella Vergati. The event included the art collective SUGAR Contemporary (Ala Roushan, Xenia Benivolsti), as well as, PIA member Carol Weinbaum, both of whom helped guide the evening’s conversation. Weinbaum and the Daniels Waterfront Corporation are partners with SUGAR and have donated art space on the waterfront.
A second visit to the studio of Kent Monkman took place on Wed. April 17, this time with friends of PIA included. Interest among members remains strong for studio visits and Kent’s, one of the largest and most productive in Canada, did not disappoint.
On April 24, members enjoyed a private tour of the corporate art collection of Scotiabank. This event was sold out in record time but, we are paying attention and will try and provide more private collection opportunities for our members next season.
The month’s educations concluded on April 29 with a talk and tour with Stephen Ranger on the Canadian contemporary art auction world at Waddington’s Auction House. This education provided members with the opportunity to further understand the role auction houses play in the ecosystem of contemporary visual art. It also gave us a first hand look at the current contemporary offerings for this season. Waddington’s online Concrete Contemporary Art auction is running until May 2.
