the al green gallery The Al Green Gallery The Al Green Gallery was founded by Canadian r e a l - e s t a t e d e v e l o p e r, s c u l p t o r, a n d philanthropist, Al Green. The gallery was initially created to showcase the work of fellow sculptors, and in particular, member artists of the Sculptors Society of Canada, and his sculpture school, the Al Green Sculpture Studio. The newly renovated Al Green Gallery, will continue to embrace Mr Green's dedication to sculpture, but will broaden its focus to include a range of artistic disciplines such as painting, photography and new media arts. The gallery will provide a venue for artists, many of whom have limited opportunities to exhibit their work, while also raising awareness and funds for diverse charitable causes. 1 Al Green Sculpture Studio The Al Green Sculpture Studio, now in it's tenth year, is a unique, non-profit centre for creative expression and artistic development. Designed for adults whose talents range from novice to professional, the primary emphasis is on additive sculpture, with occasional workshops, demonstrations and field trips being offered as a means of broadening artistic skills and experience. A founding goal of the studio is to bring principles of sculpture to individuals who want more involvement with the medium and to provide more studio time than is easily available at traditional facilities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2 I would like to thank the many Co-Curators: Lindy Green and Event Photography: Special thanks to the Green individuals and volunteers for Melanie Chikofsky Annie Daynes Family for their guidance and helping make the inaugural Invitation Graphics: Sculpture Photography: support. show at The Al Green Gallery a Dean Povinsky Cat O’Niel great success. Set up and Lighting: Book Design: Lindy Green John McBride, Brian Meeson, Melanie Chikofsky Director Gregory Gue Floral Design: John MacBride AL GREEN BIOGRAPHY Abraham (Al) Green is exceptional in many ways. As co-founder of Greenwin Construction, he helped develop and shape the urban landscape of Toronto. Early on he earned the nickname “Dream Maker”. He is a renowned and tireless philanthropist, recently honoured with the Order of Canada for his devotion to community service. His vision and unique talents are evident in his artistic work as well. For more than thirty years, Green has devoted himself to sculpture. He began sculpting at Central Technical School in 1966 and the following year founded his first of many shared studios. He was encouraged by artist and friend Maryon Kantaroff and together, in 1972, they opened Toronto’s first art foundry at 64 Merton Street. Green found his artistic voice quickly, pursuing his cubistic and angular style with confidence and a strong technical ability. His creations range from small delicate pieces which highlight his deft hand, to grand oversized works which are his passion. His work holds a presence and emotional power that were recognized immediately by his peers. During his career as a sculptor, he worked extensively not only with Kantaroff but with renowned artist Sorel Etrog among others. Over the years Green was fortunate to have a number of studios, including a portable wax studio housed in a standard leather briefcase. In 1996, he opened the Al Green Sculpture Gallery as a place to showcase his own works as well as those of fellow artists. In 2000, he founded the Al Green Sculpture Studio, fulfilling a desire to provide an open, accessible environment in which sculptors could work and learn. Green has completed many large commissioned projects and has donated a significant number of sculptures to a variety of charities. He continues to remain involved in arts organizations and sits on the boards of The Canadian Sculptors’ Society of Canada and The Art Gallery of Ontario. 3 PIANIST 4 BASS PLAYER GUITARIST HORN PLAYER FIDDLER ACCORDION PLAYER 5 6 DIFFICULT ASCENT EMERGING TOWER CLIMBING TOWER PARTNERS FOR LIFE BOLT OF LIGHTNING RISING MIST TOUCHING HEAVEN GRACEFUL ASCENT RECIPROCAL DISCS STEP TOWER UNDULATING TOWER BALL TOWER 7 LIPA GREEN 8 EMBRACE NATIVE TOTEM FEMME HOMMAGE MENORAH CHAI PUSHER BOOK ENDS SQUATTING WOMEN JACOB'S LADDER CACTUS SERIES TWO DANCERS SMALL FIGURES RELIGIOUS SERIES 9 10 SQUATTING WOMAN CUBIST SQUATTING WOMAN REALISTIC KNEELING WOMAN ECSTASY MOANING WOMAN 11 PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE 12 GOLFER PITCHER BATTER TENNIS PLAYER CATCHER BASKETBALL PLAYER 13 MULTIPLE ARCHES 14 OPENING NIGHT The opening night reception was a tremendous success and despite the shutdown of the Toronto Subway system that same evening, was attended by over 250 guests! Artists, friends, family and members of the art and business communities mingled together in the newly renovated gallery space, enjoyed fine food and wine while viewing the exciting inaugural sculpture exhibit. The history of the gallery and future vision was shared with the crowd in an opening speech by gallery director, Lindy Green. Ms. Green recognized the accomplishments of gallery and school founder Al Green and presented him with a book of tributes created by artists of his studio school. This tribute book was on display in the gallery and guests had the pleasure of viewing it. Melanie Chikofsky, director of the Al Green Studio School was also shown appreciation for her dedication to the studio and was presented with an Al Green bronze sculpture. The show was well received and many guests returned with friends and referrals throughout the duration of the show. 15 16 17 18 19 20 Al Green Sculpture Studio Artists ELLEN BLANKSTEIN THEA CARVEL DOROTHY CHAN MELANIE CHIKOFSKY GARSON CONN J. CROWDER PENNY FIKSEL GERARD GODIN GREGORY GUE TOOTSIE HALBERT SARAH HASTIE CRYSTAL HAWK W.W. HUNG JANET HUNTER INGE JOHNSON PHYLLIS LIPMAN JOHN MACBRIDE BRIAN MEESON HERSHEL OKUN RUTH LOVE PAISLEY VIRGINIA PETEHERYCH DEAN POVINSKY JAN QUINLAN JANET RAVIN GLORIA ROBINS DONA SAUNDERS PHILIPPA STEPHENSON LORNE WINTERS DONNA ZEKAS 21 22 23 24 GLORIA ROBINS CHEQUE $5000 MATE 25 PENNY FIKSEL FLORA ANTIQUUS ELLEN BLANKSTEIN ROBE # 14 CRYSTAL HAWK ABSTRACT 145 26 SARAH HASTIE THE ANGEL PIPER VIRGINIA PETEHERYCH SELF PORTRAIT PHYLLIS LIPMAN HANDY MAN GARSON CONN WOOD YOU BELIEVE 27 W.W. HUNG YEARNING PHILIPPA STEPHENSON OONA RUTH LOVE PAISLEY FEMININE MYSTIC 28 JOHN MACBRIDE CROSSCUT 29 GREGORY GUE L'HUMILITED'UN HOMME 30 BRIAN MEESON TSUNAMI MELANIE CHIKOFSKY THREADBARE GERARD GODIN CANTEROFF DONNA ZEKAS MUSE 31 JAN QUINLAN LES PETITES HERSHEL OKUN BORGO OGNISSANTI DONA SAUNDERS GODDESS OF SURPRISE & DELIGHT TOOTSIE HALBERT TENSION THEA CARVEL BOTSWANNA OSTRICH DOROTHY CHAN ABABESQUE JANET RAVIN L'HOMMAGE 33 DEAN POVINSKY ALBRECHT LORNE WINTERS IT IS WRITTEN J. CROWDER ABSTRACT TWIST JANET HUNTER DAPHNE INGE JOHNSON PLAY, GRACE, SLUMBER 35 36 "STUDIO" OPENING RECEPTION NOVEMBER 18, 2009
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