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Director's Report
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Here we are almost half way through September already— the summer show, Fibred Optics, has been packed up and returned to the artists and we are set to open our next exhibition, Landon Mackenzie: Why Cloud the Whites. The work is up and looks fantastic. I hope you will be able to join us for the opening on Thursday evening (7–9 pm). Once again we will be having our Members only pre-opening tour with the artist from 6:30–7pm. Landon is a very engaging speaker, so I know you will enjoy it. We will also be making the draw for the iPad2 at this opening, so if you haven't taken out a membership or renewed in 2011, this is your last opportunity to get your name into the draw.
Kathy Tycholis has lined up a number of great education events for the Mackenzie show (please see her announcements, below), the first of which took place this past Saturday, when SFU Professor, Dr. Denise Oleksijczuk gave an overview of the history of Canadian painting, with a special emphasis on the landscape tradition. The School Art Program is starting up again, Family Sunday will take place on September 25, and of course Culture Days takes place the weekend of September 30–October 2. There's lots to see and do this month—see you at the Gallery.
Lynn Beavis
Director
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Transformation – Behind the Scenes
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The Gallery is gearing up for the next exhibition, Crossing Over, Why Cloud the Whites by Landon Mackenzie. Staff at the Gallery thought it might be fun to give a glimpse of what it is like in between exhibitions. Hundreds of hand painted purple squares from the installation by Jerôme Havre from the previous show, Fibred Optics required two days of sanding before repainting. A new wall was built at the entrance of the Gallery and of course, the entire Gallery was repainted as it is for every exhibition.
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Current Exhibition
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Landon Mackenzie
Crossing Over, Why Cloud the Whites
September 10 - October 30, 2011
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 15, 2011
Crossing Over, Why Cloud the Whites is a selection of paintings by Landon Mackenzie from the last five years that continues the thread of mapping and picture making characteristic of her art over two decades. Drawing upon her practice of engaging optical and abstract structures with unusual pictorial elements, these works explore the relationship between the innovative process of painting and the political and imaginative subtexts embedded in these works chosen from two series, Neurocity and The Structures. Mackenzie's research in cartography and later, neurology, yields an extensive repository of information and images, which she works into the many layers of her large canvases.
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Upcoming Events
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 The Art of Painting: Then & Now – Open Forum Series
Saturdays, September 10, 17, & 24
2–3pm
In conjunction with Landon Mackenzie's exhibition Crossing Over, Why Cloud the Whites, the Gallery is presenting three sessions that take a closer look at the art of Canadian painting. Session One on September 10 will be hosted by Dr. Denise Oleksijczuk, Associate Professor of Art and Culture Studies at SFU, who will show examples of Canadian painting from the early 1800s to the age of Modernism. Session Two on September 17 is a tour and talk with exhibiting artist Landon Mackenzie, who will also discuss how her painting fits into the dialogue of Canadian painting. Session Three on September 24 will be hosted by Carol-Ann Ryan, art history instructor and board member of the Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver, who will focus on Canadian painting from the 1960s to today.
The series is intended to be an informal introduction to the world of Canadian painting, an ideal opportunity for art lovers and/or art students to learn more about the painting scene in Canada.
Free admission. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP to ktycholis@richmond.ca to reserve a space, or contact the Gallery for more information.
An Evening of Art and Music - Crossing Over: Painting a Critical Conversation
Thursday, October 20
7–9pm
This special evening event features a gallery tour and discussion by exhibiting artist Landon Mackenzie, along with Emily Carr University of Art + Design colleague Dr. Glen Lowry. After the discussion, award-winning sound composer Dennis Burke will perform a musical score he has created in response to the exhibition. Free admission. Doors open at 6:30pm. Discussion with Landon Mackenzie and Glen Lowry takes place from 7–8pm. Sound Performance by Dennis Burke takes place from 8ndash;9pm.
This event will be followed the next evening with a Painting Symposium Crossing Over: Painting a Critical Conversation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design on Friday October 21, from 4–10pm.
For more information, contact ktycholis@richmond.ca
 Reminder: Open Call to Artists for the International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap
Deadline for Entry: October 1, 2011
Don't forget that the deadline to enter your works in the International Mail Exhibition and Swap is fast approaching! Artists from all over the world are invited to contribute their work for the Richmond Art Gallery's first ever Mail Art Exhibition. This exhibition is intended to be a cultural exchange, where artists exhibit their works and receive new works as part of a swap. All entries received that follow the exhibition guidelines on the entry form will be exhibited. For details on the exhibition and how to submit your artworks, visit: http://www.richmondartgallery.org/mail-art-2011.php
 Culture Days at the Richmond Art Gallery
September 30, October 1 and 2
As part of the national annual event Culture Days, the Gallery is hosting various free events over this 3-day celebration of arts and culture. The Richmond Cultural Centre will be a hub of artistic activity during this time, so make sure to mark this weekend on your calendar!
For details, go to the Culture Days website:
http://bc.culturedays.ca/en
 Free Workshop, Chinese Canadian Stories – Uncommon Histories from a Common Past
Saturday, October 1
2 4pm
The Gallery will be hosting a workshop run by members of the UBC project, Chinese Canadian Stories. The project attempts to reshape the way all of us understand Canada, and reclaim the forgotten histories of peoples who have long been ignored in Canadian history. This workshop will contribute to this vision by engaging those who have lived in Canada through the sharing, listening to and capturing of their stories of travel and migration across the Ocean from side of the world to another. This session invites anyone with an interest in their family history, particularly from Chinese backgrounds, to learn more, and gain a deeper appreciation of their roots in Canada. Participants will have the opportunity to share and record their family history to become a part of an online historical archive and preservation project initiated by the UBC and SFU Libraries. For more information, download the flyer or visit http://chinesecanadian.ubc.ca
Re-launch of the Sunday Art Group – Let's Make Stuff!
2nd Sunday of each month, 1–4:pm
Next session: November 13, 2011
Adults only
After taking a break this summer, the Gallery is re-launching its "Lets Make Stuff!" program. On the 2nd Sunday of each month artists, crafters, artisans and hobbyists are welcome to join us in the Gallery Art Room Studio to work on your own ongoing projects. This program is free to Gallery members, or costs $5.00 to drop-in. Projects can be anything you happen to be working on, whether it is knitting, stitching, drawing, painting, collaging, printmaking or all of the above. For the next few months we will focus on making Mail Art, in preparation for our winter Mail Art Exhibition. Even if you don't call yourself an artist, anyone can make Mail Art! Join us in the Art Studio and we'll provide some basic materials and ideas to get you started. We are a social art group, making art and conversation in a relaxed studio environment. Hope you can join in!
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School Art Program
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The start of the new school year ushers in an exciting program of exhibitions and School Art Workshops at the Richmond Art Gallery. Sponsored by TD Financial Group, the School Art Program includes interactive gallery tours and art workshops for students from pre-K to grade 7, free tours for secondary students, and professional development opportunities for teachers.
This year, students will explore Landon Mackenzie's immersive paintings, see Mail Art created by artists around the world, learn about the history and legacy of Fantasy Gardens, and investigate family relationships with Hua Jin's photographic series My Big Family. Painting, collage, charcoal drawings, and printmaking are just a few of the School Art Workshop activities we have planned this year. For a full description of workshops and gallery exhibitions, check out our 2011-2012 School Program Brochure, which can be downloaded from our website. Brochures will also be mailed to all the elementary schools in Richmond, and to several Vancouver and Delta schools, so teachers, be on the lookout in your staffroom or personal mail box for a copy to hang in your classroom.
Teachers can get an exclusive preview of the exhibitions and school workshops for the 2011-2012 school year by coming to our Teacher's Open House, on Thursday, September 29 from 4-6pm. This is a free event that includes hands-on art project ideas for the classroom and demonstrations of different techniques and projects. Relax over a glass of wine and discover all that Richmond Art Gallery has to offer your school. More information about this event can be found on the Teachers page of our website.
To attend, please RSVP by September 23 to Melanie Devoy, School Art Program Coordinator at 604.247.8316 or mdevoy@richmond.ca.
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Staff News
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Secondary School Art Education Teacher Guides: Making Contemporary Art Make Sense Education Program
Co-op Placement, May 2 - Sept. 2, 2011
The Richmond Art Gallery plays a dynamic role in the growth of visual art in Richmond, and is a vital part of the contemporary art network in British Columbia and Canada. A priority of the Gallery is to provide quality art education services and resources that are responsive to the needs of teachers and students. Richmond Secondary School Teachers identified a need for readily available resource materials on contemporary art in their classrooms.
In response, the Gallery has initiated an education project to support teachers' and students' access to contemporary arts education. Education Intern, Kimberly Baker, met with teachers to identify areas of contemporary art practice to be developed for a series of Teacher Guides to use in their classrooms. To date six Teacher Guides have been written, which are directly linked to the curriculum standards for the Province of British Columbia's Ministry of Education Visual Arts 8 to 12. Teachers and students will directly benefit from this project by being educated about issues and practices in contemporary art, and develop greater visual literacy. In the future each Teacher's Guide will be accessible to teachers as a free, downloadable PDF online.
Education Intern, Kimberly Baker reflects upon her experience:
 The Richmond Art Gallery has given me a fabulous opportunity to work directly with the Gallery's School and Public Programs Coordinators, staff members, and the Richmond Secondary Art Teachers. Through this co-op placement I have gained valuable work experience in a public art institution by developing a variety of skills such as, collaborating with practicing art teachers, and researching and writing programs. I am grateful for this professional development opportunity, and feel privileged to have been mentored by such knowledgeable staff members at the Richmond Art Gallery. I would like to thank the Richmond Art Gallery team and the sponsors for providing me with their support.
The Richmond Art Gallery is pleased to announce the generous support of the Canadian Western Bank for the design and production of these Teachers' Guides. The Gallery also gratefully acknowledges the British Columbia Arts Council, Co-op Placement Program, for supporting Kimberly Baker's Internship.
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In Memoriam
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Mary White
August 10, 1924 - August 21, 2011
Mary White, a beloved volunteer and Life Member at the Richmond Art Gallery passed away in August. Mary, along with other dedicated women, formed the Gallery's Exhibition Committee and for over two decades helped shape Richmond Art Gallery. Mary will always be remembered for her sense of humour and her eye for detail. She archived and catalogued the poster rental in the early 80s and wrote and edited many publicity articles when the gallery first began. Up until last year Mary was still contributing her time and energy, hanging outreach displays at City Hall and faithfully bringing press clippings for the Gallery's archives. She understood the power of the press—she enjoyed a career in publishing at a time when many women did not work outside the home. Mary is survived by her husband Ross White who was a long member of the Richmond Photo Club and their four daughters Karen, Lory, Linda and Sally
The Richmond Art Gallery is a better place for Mary White's contributions and we will miss her.
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Richmond Art Gallery is generously supported by the City of Richmond, BC Arts Council
and the Province of British Columbia.
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Events Calendar |
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Sept 10 – Oct 30, 2011
Crossing Over, Why Cloud the Whites
Landon Mackenzie
Richmond Art Gallery.
More information
Sept 14 – Nov 10, 2011
Community Living
Richmond City Hall Galleria.
More information
Sept 10, 17 & 24 2011
The Art of Painting: Then & Now
2–3pm
Session One - Canadian Painting History with Dr. Denise Oleksijczuk
Artist Talk by Landon Mackenzie
Contemporary Canadian Painting with Carol Ann Ryan
RSVP to ktycholis@richmond.ca
More information
Sept 25 & Oct 23, 2011
Family Sunday
1–4pm
Free drop-in art program for families. Generously supported by RBC Foundation.
More information
Oct 1, 2011
Submission Deadline
International Mail Art Exhibition & Swap
Submit artworks in a variety of 2-D art mediums, measuring 5" x 5" (127mm x 127mm). Additional guidelines are available on our website.
More information
Oct 1, 2011
Recording Family History
2–4pm
Learn basic techniques of oral history interviewing and consult with a digitization librarian on preserving your family history. Presented in partnership with the Richmond Public Library and Chinese Canadian Stories at UBC.
More information
Oct 5, 2011
Pick up a Pencil
2–5pm
Free-drop in art program led by local artist Tony Yin Tak Chu.
More information
Sept 11
Let's Make Stuff
1–4pm
Artist studio time for adults. Members free/drop-in $5. No session in October for Thanksgiving Weekend, next session Nov 13
More information
Images (from top):
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Landon Mackenzie, Neurocity (Aqua Blue), detail, 2008-09
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Painters sanding the wall in gallery 3
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The Art of Painting: Then & Now Open Forum Series
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Mail Art Call for Entries
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Culture Days
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UBC Chinese Canadian Stories workshop
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Young boy printmaking
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Kimberly Baker, Education Intern
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Mary White, Volunteer & Life Member
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