In honour of the AGM 25 Year celebration, the Senior Staff at the Art Gallery of Mississauga is pleased to present this year an award of recognition to Warren Hoyano!
AGM Curator Stuart Keeler says:
Welcome to AGM 25! We invite you all to ENGAGE in our exciting arts and culture programming! Equally important, we invite you all to THINK ART. Twenty-five years of art and community, and we’re just getting started! What will happen next? THINK about it, and let’s talk!
The viewing and creation of art certainly provides pleasure — how tempting is it to be lost in a sea of Rothko’s red? How amazing do you feel after a full day at the studio creating what will surely be your most amazing art work ever… at least until you look at it the next morning and realize how much it can still be improved? Art allows us the chance to escape, to revel in beauty and celebrate emotion, and above all — THINK.
VAM 34 artists with Steven Volpe's Gaultier: Episode 1 - The City Dwellers
Art also provides us with the opportunity to think critically. Thinking about art goes far beyond simply deciding whether an art work is good or bad — thinking about art means challenging yourself to go beyond your comfort zone. Use art as the catalyst to imagine new worlds and other people’s experiences. Understand the creative process behind your favourite art work in order to reflect on your own creative process, and how you can best commit to an artistic lifestyle. Above all, thinking about art means creating conversation — talk with fellow cultural producers and art enthusiasts, share your experiences, ignite inspiration in each other.
One of my favourite memories of the VAM 34 opening reception last January 10 was overhearing a conversation between two of the artists. One mentioned he liked the way the other one used light in his work. “Really?” the second artist replied. “Others would disagree with you.” I love that because it shows two talented artists discussing their craft and exchanging ideas about each other’s work.
Art can indeed be a solitary pursuit. However, the AGM firmly believes that a community aspect is essential as well. An arts community not only fosters supportive relationship; it also facilitates critical thinking and new ways of appreciating art. As such, we have the following programs for you:
VAM34 jurors Art Green and Catherine Beaudette Walking the Talk on Jan 22
Walk the Talk
How do the VAM jurors decide which pieces to exhibit? Why did the artist choose that particular theme? How does the artist’s perspective of his or her own work differ from the interpretation of a curator? The AGM invites everyone to Walk the Talk with us one afternoon each exhibition. Artists, curators and guest cultural producers will give a guided discussion and walking tour of the exhibit. The emphasis is on discussion – bring your questions and comments! Let’s get a conversation going!
Resource Room
Twenty-five years of publications! The AGM is currently cataloguing our library of art publications. Some of them are already available for you to check out in our Resource Room. Enrich your mind and learn about contemporary regional artists.
Mississauga Civic Centre - Visit the AGM on the ground floor!
Chatroom Talk | Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Do you have to move to Toronto to have a successful art career? We don’t think so! We believe we can have a thriving, dynamic art scene right here in Mississauga!
We want to know — what will it take for that to happen? How can the city and the AGM do to assist artists in launching a successful artistic career rin Mississauga? We want to hear from you in our first ever Chatroom Dialogue, April 10, 6 pm. Do you want to be a part of this conversation? RSVP – call Jaclyn at 905 896 5088 or email jaclyn.qua-hiansen@mississauga.ca. Let’s chat art!
In 2012, the Art Gallery of Mississauga celebrates 25 years of bringing art to the community and the community to art! What a quarter century it’s been, and what a year we have in store! A new vision kicks off in 2012 — the AGM is ramping up our programming and inviting you all to join us in celebrating art in the 905!
ENGAGE!
A major theme in the contemporary art scene is the need for accessibility. The idea of art as paintings hung in silent galleries and open only to connoisseurs no longer holds true in the 21st century. The Museum of Modern Art has made their galleries available for viewing FREE online. The National Gallery of Canada’s Marc Mayer believes gallery collections should be available to the public. The Royal Ontario Museum has recently lowered its admission fees.
Accessibility goes far beyond free admission or free access to art, however. Art is becoming ever more community-based. Galleries and museums are reaching out to virtual audiences through social media. Events such as Nuit Blanche literally take art to the streets, and events like Pecha Kucha create welcoming, informal settings in which to celebrate creativity. What an inspiring era in which to be a cultural producer, what an exciting time in which to be an art lover, and what a fantastic time to turn 25!
30 Minute Curator Saturdays
The AGM is tearing down the fourth wall! We’re connecting cultural producers and gallery curators — bring your ideas and let the conversation begin!
Imagine this: 30 minutes with Stuart Keeler, an artist and curator with over twenty years of international experience with public art and gallery exhibitions. Do you have questions about launching your professional artistic career? Do you have ideas on how to ignite the Mississauga art scene? Do you have a burning desire to chat about exhibitions, artists or art trends you find especially innovative?
Our door is open.
First 30 Minute Curator Saturday is on February 25th. Spots still available. Email Jaclyn to register!
Community Chat Room
We want your ideas! We have recently repurposed part of our Gallery Space into a Resource Room/Community Chat Room, where visitors can peruse over 25 years of art and culture publications, and where the AGM will soon be issuing an online invitation for open forum on the potential of arts and culture as catalysts to create new communities.
Cultural leaders, members of the community — we want your vision! How can the AGM use art and culture to bring people together? Keep an eye on our website for further details, or contact Jaclyn to be added to our mailing list.
Roots and Branches | The AGM and the Mississauga Library System
Art and literature — what an exciting pair! In 2012, the AGM is partnering with the Mississauga Library System to create art and literature-based programming.
This March Break, we invite you to take part in our inaugural collaboration — Tell Me A Story | An Art-Inspired Creative Writing Workshop. All art tells a story — what stories can we unearth from the AGM’s permanent collection? Keep an eye on our website or contact Jaclyn for more details.
