Sculptors Society of Canada / 85th Anniversary Show

Opening Reception: October 10, 2013, 6 – 9 p.m.
Canadian Sculpture Centre
500 Church Street, Toronto

Sculpture Society of Canada (SSC) celebrated its 85th year with a juried show in Canadian Sculpture Centre. Participating artists: Gordon Becker, Andrew Benyei, Edward Falkenberg, Al Green, Judy Raymer Ivkoff, Evgueni Kogan, J.Mac, Richard McNeill, Marianne Reim, Peter Shoebridge, Dina Torrans and Judi Michelle Young.

Founded by some of the most prestigious sculptors in Canadian art history, the SSC has been exhibiting and raising the profile of sculpture in Canada for 85 years. The mandate of this Society is firmly established by a collective belief in education, partnership, cooperation and support regarding sculpture; to discover and foster young talent, to raise the profile of Canadian sculpture and to rally and encourage sculptors working at a professional level.

Visitors with Peter Shoebridge, Where Are You

The large gallery was crowded with artists and visitors talking about the sculptures and listening to music. The exhibition involved all imaginable style from traditional representative to abstract. Peter Shoebridge’s ceramic couple (Where Are You) feels monumental as does Al Green’s Reciprocal Discs or Edward Falkenberg’s Forest Light.

Edward Falkenberg with Forest Light

Dina Torrans guides us toward the spiritual with her sculpture Into the Mystic accompanied with Soul Sound by J.Mac. ROOTS by Judi Michelle Young is a special Tree of Life, a very tall metal ladder with beautiful copper details. It reminds us of old tales when humans climbed up on tall trees into the sky or Jacob’s ladder to heaven.

Dina Torrans with Into the Mystic

President of SSC, artist Judi Michelle Young with ROOTS

The visitors found Andrew Benyei’s ceramic sculpture, depicting a line of inpatient commuters (Eight Fifty Nine), funny and was amused by Gordon Becker’s Maroon.

Visitor with Andrew Benyei, Eight Fifty Nine

Artists, Gordon Becker with Maroon

Remarks were given at the event by the local city counselor of Ward 27 Kristyn Wong-Tam who was an entrepreneur in the neighborhood and gallery owner prior to her political career. She was present at the opening of the Canadian Sculpture Centre current location at 500 Church Street in 2008 and has great empathy for galleries maintaining viability.

Ward 27 Counsillor Kristyn Wong-Tam & Vice President of the board of directors for the SSC, Richard McNeill

Executive Director, Ontario Arts Council, Peter Caldwell

Vice President of the board of directors for the SSC, Richard McNeill spoke as well. The director and CEO of the Ontario Arts Council, Peter Caldwell, gave remarks to the guests warmly praising the artists and the Canadian Sculpture Centre for it’s part in showcasing wonderful talents and for surviving and succeeding in challenging economic times.

Visitors and musicians  Peter Shoebridge & Aidan Todd-Parrish

The show is open till November 1, 2013, Canadian Sculpture Centre, 500 Church Street. Gallery hours: Tue – Fri 12 – 6, Sat 11 – 4 p.m.

To celebrate SSC’s anniversary an even bigger exhibition will be on display from October 22 to November 15, 2013 at John B. Aird Gallery,  titled, 85…and Still Going Strong featuring about 40 artists.

Text and photo: Margaret Irving

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