Caledon artist, gallery owner John Agg dies

One-time Terra Cotta artist, art teacher, and gallery owner John Agg (1928-2011) passed January 11 in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. John and wife Helen, also an artist, ran The Country Gallery in Terra Cotta, up in Caledon on the Credit River. Opened in 1961, they moved to Qualicum Beach, on Vancouver Island, opening Agg Works Gallery in 1976.

His death notice mentions that "John’s works of watercolors, prints, enameling, large collages and decorated pottery were well known on the West Coast. John and Helen closed their gallery and retired in 2000." Beacon Magazine reports that the couple continued to be active members of their community. He was 82.

Read more about the Aggs from a 1967 biographical sketch, republished on the VAB website.

Bridge Aube's art featured with PHC Christmas

Visit Peel Heritage Complex's Facebook fan page.

The late Bridget Aube, previously a member of Visual Arts Brampton and the still life session's long-time convener, was featured in Peel Heritage Complex's 12 Days of Christmas photo series.

The work is part of the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Peel, currently under renovation until fall 2011. It represents the first day of Christmas, "a partridge in a pear tree".

The 12 Days is rather tongue-in-cheek with some of the less literal entries, like French hens and swans-a-swimming.

World Art Gallery is no more; Artway expands

In 1999, 2003 and 2004, Visual Arts Brampton had successful mail art shows; in 2001, the Art Gallery of Peel ran one as well. By 2005, VAB decided it was time to create a permanent, year-round space for postcard-sized art: the World Art Gallery was born.

But since the international mail art community has been gradually fizzling, from its previous heights, VAB is switching gears. While we still intend to have mail art shows on occasion, the Zellers corridor at Shoppers World Brampton will now host a second, as-of-yet-unnamed extension of Artway Gallery.

This new space will focus on one-person and small group shows, as well as one-off theme shows. If you're an artist wanting to have a solo or small group show, or participate in the theme shows, send in a few samples of your work. We'll be in contact with you, and hopefully have you on display.

Jack Reid's passing makes year in review

The passing of Art Gallery of Peel curator David Somers and watercolourist Jack Reid are both mentioned in Ashley Goodfellow's year in review, for the arts. Published in the most recent issue of The Brampton Guardian, the article looks at various happenings in the City's entertainment scene.

Out and About: Wyn Geleynse at the PHC

Brampton artist Bob Posliff just alerted us to the fact Wyn Geleynse's site-specific video work can now been seen on YouTube.

Part of his exhibit "Day In And Day Out With Minor Tragedies", at the Peel Heritage Complex/Art Gallery of Peel, "his latest installation consists of two moving images of eyes on the building’s upper windows. The looped segments were filmed independently and the eyes reversed from their natural placement on the face, resulting in an unsettling dislocation."

Geleynse is considered one of Canada's leading installation artists; a good bio is available through Quartier éphémère.

Check out the press release for more info on times and dates of the projection.

Art Gallery of Peel holds art bus tour

The Art Gallery of Peel is one of four stops an annual bus tour of area art galleries. The tour starts at the Art Gallery of Mississauga at 10 am, going to the Art Gallery of Peel, Gallery Streetsville, and the Blackwood Gallery. The bus returns to the Mississauga Civic Centre by 3:45 pm. Coffee and refreshments are provided in the morning, and time is scheduled in Streetsville, to allow you to go off and eat lunch and shop.

The “Regional Art Bus Tour” happens October 18, and costs $15 paid at the bus; pre-register by calling the Art Gallery of Mississauga at 905-896-5088, or email gail.farndon@mississauga.ca

Out and About: 36th Annual Juried Show of Fine Art at the AGP

Back on April 8, I had the pleasure of attending the opening for the 36th Annual Juried Show of Fine Art at the Art Gallery of Peel.

Having participated in and viewed the show regularly for many years, the selection in this year's show is, in my estimation, the nicest cross-section yet. At the opening, I didn't vote for the People's Choice Award, simply because there was so many great works. I overheard multiple people vocalize how impressed with the quality level of the work on display. Artist Lyn Carter and George Wale, Burlington Art Centre's Director of Programs, were the ones adjudicating the show.

A congratulations goes out to Lynne Schumacher, a regular at our Wednesday portrait sessions. Lynne's oil on canvas First Light won the Colony Ford-Lincoln Award. In total, 366 artists submitted works, and 61 pieces are on display; 20 are from Peel.

The show continues until May 17.

For more information, visit the press release.

Art Gallery of Peel Juried Show form available

The form for the 36th Annual Art Gallery of Peel Juried Art Show is now online.

Entry fee is $12 for members of the Peel Heritage Complex, $15 for non-members; you can submit from March 23 to 29, 2009. Artists can submit one work, to make sure jurors are not overwhelmed. Artist Lyn Carter and Burlington Arts Centre's Director of Programs George Wale are adjudicating the show.

Interestingly, our group's president, Keith Moreau, is pictured on the back of the pamphlet. He's at the opening with his wife, who's turned the other way.


About the show
Form

VAB demos at Complex this weekend

Come on out to the Peel Heritage Complex this Saturday and Sunday, for free access to the Art Gallery of Peel. The Art Gallery of Peel is on the Studios of Brampton tour. The gallery currently is displaying works by Mississauga sculptor Ryszard Litwiniuk.

Once you're done there, visit Visual Arts Brampton artists on the second floor of the museum. Art Gallery of Peel 2007 Juried Art Show People's Choice Award winner Debra Ali will be painting on Saturday, Paul Highgate illustrating with scratchboard on Sunday, and Keith Moreau will be printmaking on Sunday as well.

The tour is competing for eyeballs with the Milton Area Studio Tour, Dundas Studio Tour, Brant Studio Tour, Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, Tweed & Area Studio Tour, Haliburton County Studio Tour, Elora Fergus Studio Tour, Merrickville Artists Guild Fall Studio Tour & Sale, and Victoria Country Studio Tour. Not to mention, it's up against Scotiabank Nuit Blanche (6:52 pm Saturday to sunrise on Sunday).

Art Gallery of Peel Juried show on now

Last night was the opening for the Art Gallery of Peel Juried Art Show, started in 1974. The show, jurored by Ivan Jurakic (curator, Cambridge Galleries) and Anna Yuschuk (artist), received 350 entries, 49 of which are on display. Prizes went to:

• Ben Pinkney for Brad, oil on linen; John Cutruzzola Award for Best in Show
• Susan Dain for Miraflores II, acrylic on canvas; Colony Ford-Lincoln Award for Best Painting

Three paintings received juror's awards:

• Fausta Facciponte for Emma for $1.15, photograph
• Kal Mansur for Untouchable, acrylic in acrylic box
• Helen Pravda for Mother, conté on paper

The exhibition is generously supported by the John Cutruzzola Juried Show Endowment Fund and Colony Ford-Lincoln.

Among the works on display is a statue by area artist Sarah Chomko, whose Luscious exhibition at AKASA Gallery was previously mentioned on this blog. Various Visual Arts Brampton members entered into the exhibit, but weren't accepted. Last year's People's Choice Award went to Visual Arts Brampton member Debra Ali, which she had worked on for a few months, including at an event at Shoppers World.

Just 10 days until Juried Art Show entry starts

Easily one of Ontario's most prestigious juried art shows, the Art Gallery of Peel 35th Annual Juried Show is just ten days away.

The Gallery is extremely accommodating, as you can actually submit art to the show over an entire week, from Monday, April 14 to Sunday, April 20, at any point during gallery hours. Also, it's still just $15 to enter, $12 for members.

Artist Anna Yuschuk and Cambridge Galleries curator Ivan Jurakic are both jurying.

According to the Peel Heritage Complex, the show "frequently showcases artists on the tipping point of their careers." Almost half the entrants are from outside of Peel. Debra Ali, a Visual Arts Brampton member, was the People's Choice Award winner last year.

Awards
· Best in show, $1000
· Juror's award, $750
· Colony Lincoln Ford Award for Best Painting, $350
· People's Choice Award, $50

Links
· Juried art show office site
· Entry form

Art Gallery of Peel Juried Show form online

The Art Gallery of Peel’s Annual Juried Show is one of the most popular shows of its type in the province. In the past, artists have been entitled to submit one or two works for a non-refundable fee of $12 for members; $15 for non-members. This year, submissions will be limited to one piece per artist with the entry fee remaining the same. This will allow the same number of artists to participate but not create the excessive volume of entries that can overwhelm the jurors’ decision making process.

This year, the Gallery is fortunate to have the expertise of artist Anna Yuschuk and Curator of Cambridge Galleries, Ivan Jurakic, in adjudicating the show. Submissions will be received at the Gallery from April 14 - 20, 2008 and the opening reception and awarding of prizes will take place on April 30 from 8 to 10 p.m.

Entry forms are available online or at the Gallery.

For further information, call, 905-791-4055 ext. 6211.

Out and About: Peel Heritage Complex

There was a strong turnout for the interesting retrospective of Huibert Sabelis' works at the Art Gallery of Peel. As described by the Peel Heritage Complex's newsletter, "Sabelis' rich visual language draws on his experiences in Indonesia as well as his native Holland and adopted homeland, Canada. This exhibition surveys his work in various media including painting, printmaking and tapestry."

Both the Hugh Van Melle Trio, which provided music throughout the night, and the Balinese dance performance, which was a finale to the speeches by dignitaries, were very entertaining.

Visit Sabelis' website.

This is our first Visual Arts Brampton video blog; it's only 14 seconds long, but it's a glimpse of what's on.


We will have an exhibition catalog available for in-studio viewing; ask Keith or Nick.

Tonight, at the Peel Heritage Complex

The opening reception for "Huibert Sabelis: A Retrospective" is tonight, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Art Gallery of Peel, part of the Peel Heritage Complex. According to Strata, the member newsletter, "Sabelis' rich visual language draws on his experiences in Indonesia as well as his native Holland and adopted homeland, Canada. This exhibition surveys his work in various media including painting, printmaking and tapestry."

The reception, hosted by assistant curator Judy Daley, will feature a Balinese dance performance and music by the Hugh Van Melle Trio.

Attending the opening are Mr. Bambang C. Gunawan (Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia) Mr. Johan S. Kramer (Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), and
MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo, Elizabeth Witmer (former Deputy Premier of Ontario).

Fine art on display at annual Peel Art Gallery show

Fine art on display at annual Peel Art Gallery show
Tuesday May 8 2007

BRAMPTON - The 34th annual Juried Show of Fine Art opened last week, with 66 works chosen from more than 250 submissions.

The exhibition will be on display until June 3 at the Art Gallery of Peel in the Peel Heritage Complex, 9 Wellington St. E.

Of the 66 artists selected for this year's Juried Show, 25 are from Peel: 10 from Brampton, three from Caledon and 12 from Mississauga.

Heather Appleby and Delroy Russell of Brampton were selected for the Jurors' Award sponsored by Colony Ford-Lincoln of Brampton, which they share with several other artists. Debra Ali of Brampton was revealed as the winner of the People's Choice Award at the opening.

The complex is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on weekends from noon to 4:30 p.m. and on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission costs $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for students and $7 for families.

For information about the Peel Heritage Complex, call 905-791-4055 or visit www.peelheritagecomplex.org.

First time's the charm! Debra wins AGP Juried Show

The Art Gallery of Peel's annual Juried Art Show had 254 artists entering work, of which 66 were accepted. Two hundred people came to the show opening, and 150 of them cast ballots for the People's Choice Award.

The winner? Debra Ali, one of our most recent new members.

According Peel Heritage Complex curator David Somers, via email, "Debra's work was far and away the most popular work with over half of the votes."

Debra's flower painting was a Christmas gift to her sister, that Debra has continued to work on months after the holidays, including during an event at Shoppers World.

As mentioned before, VAB member Mary Noble, lapsed member Kim Lee Kho and Kal Honey, and former VAB vice president Kate Taylor were all accepted into the show.

VAB members in PHC/AGP Juried Show

VAB member Mary Noble and Debra Ali were both accepted into the Art Gallery of Peel Juried Art Show.

Using a background created in the workshop she taught at the studio, Mary painted a portrait of a model who posed at the Wednesday portrait sessions. Debra's flower painting was a Christmas gift to her sister, that Debra has continued to work on months after the holidays, including during an event at Shoppers World. Both paintings are in acrylic.

Also accepted were former VAB vice-president Kate Taylor, now a Hillsdale resident, as well as former members Kal Honey and Kim Lee Kho.

Every weekend in May, the Peel Heritage Complex will be offering free admission.

The Peel Heritage Complex is operated by the Region of Peel and is located at
9 Wellington St. E. in Brampton. The Complex is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4:30 p.m.; and Thursday evenings from
6 to 9 p.m. Admission fees are $2.50 for adults; $1.50 for seniors; $1 for students; and $7 for families.

Art Gallery of Peel Annual Juried Show

Entry forms are available at the Visual Arts Brampton Creative Studio, at the Art Gallery of Peel, or online as a PDF.

The Art Gallery of Peel’s Annual Juried Show is one of the most popular shows of its type in the province. In the past, artists have been entitled to submit one or two works for a non-refundable fee of $12 for members; $15 for non-members. This year, submissions will be limited to one piece per artist with the entry fee remaining the same. This will allow the same number of artists to participate but not create the excessive volume of entries that can overwhelm the jurors’ decision making process.

This year, the Gallery is fortunate to have the expertise of artist Dan Kennedy and Director of the Varley Art Gallery, John Ryerson in adjudicating the show. Submissions will be received at the Gallery from April 16 - 22, 2007 and the opening reception and awarding of prizes will take place on May 2 from 8 to 10 p.m.

For further information, contact David Somers, Curator at 905-791-4055, Ext. 3632.