Sculpture Society of Canada’s 85th Anniversary Celebration
October 24, 2013, 6 – 9 p.m.
John B. Aird Gallery
900 Bay Street, Toronto
Founded by some of the most prestigious sculptors in Canadian art history, the Sculptors Society of Canada has been exhibiting and raising the profile of sculpture in Canada for 85 years. The SSC was formed in 1928 by Frances Loring, Florence Wyle, Emmanuel Hahn, Elizabeth Wyn Wood, Henri Hébert, and Alfred Laliberté. By bonding together they were able to focus on the development of sculpture while raising the profile of Canadian sculpture locally and internationally. Through the Society and the support of fellow sculptors, works of the membership captured the interest of galleries, art festivals, and museums, including The National Gallery of Canada, The Toronto Art Gallery (now the Art Gallery of Ontario), and the International Biennale of Sculpture in Ravenna, Italy. In subsequent years, the SSC organized numerous exhibitions including a 50th anniversary exhibition that toured throughout Europe, a 65th anniversary tour of the SSC Permanent Collection to the USA, and in its 75th year, works representing Canada were sent to the premier Beijing International Biennale in 2003.
The Sculptors Society of Canada is a charitable organization of professional artists who have completed their art training and are working as sculptors.
Gillian Reddyhoff of the Toronto Archives (left) Judi Michelle Young, Director of the Sculpture Society of Canada and artist John Clinton with the catalogue
Judi Michelle Young, Director of the Sculpture Society of Canada (SSC) gave remarks as did Gillian Reddyhoff of the Toronto Archives on behalf of the John B. Aird board of directors. She gave a history of the gallery which opened in 1975, was shut down by the government in 1984 and was reopened due to the efforts of seven groups of artists in Toronto. The gallery has raised awareness of national and international sculpture. She hoped the artists exhibiting work that night would inspire future generations.
Master of Ceremonies, sculptor John Clinton is speaking
David Mirvish spoke gratefully of how the SSC made his mother feel welcome among their members. David Mirvish’s mother was Ann Lazare Mirvish and her piece Walpurgis Night was made in artist Frank Stella’s studio who was commissioned to decorate the Princess of Wales Theatre, as artist Patricia Brennan remembered.
Ann Lazare-Mirvish, Walpurgis Night
From left to right: David Mirvish, John Clinton, Judi Michelle Young & The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sport
The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sport presented the SSC with a certificate to commemorate their 85th anniversary.
Visitors with Ark
Visitors with Let’s Get out of Here
Installation view with Sharing by David Ruben Piqtoukun
Icara by Peter Shoebridge
Evgueni Kogan with Green Apple
Patricia Brennan’s terra cotta sculpture is part of a series of people she calls angels and archangels.
Patricia Brennan with her sculpture
Visitors with Karen Stoskopf Harding’s Totem Mother
Visitors with Facing East
Visitors with Lunar Lodge-Variable 8
Visitors with Woman with Cat
Visitors with guest musician Aidan Todd-Parrish
Sponsors: Abraham & Malka Green, David Mirvish, Edelman, Artcast Inc. Eurest
Exhibition dates: October 24 – November 15, 2013, John B. Aird Gallery, 900 Bay Street, Toronto.
Text and photo: Margaret Irving