By John Manson, Gallery Shop Coordinator
The theme of the Gallery Shop Reading List this quarter is Collecting and Connecting, which celebrates Anthony Thorn, his view on art, and his accomplishments.
Art is everywhere: salon style walls, stacked on the floor, floating on shelves, brimming in boxes and perched on the desk. It’s a tidy and carefully organized inventory of eye candy. It is the dream office, and it belongs to our Art Rental and Sales Consultant, Karen Cooper.
By Cheryl L’Hirondelle
kinanāskomitinawaw – thank you to the lək̓ʷəŋən People, whose land the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is on and whose language and stories engage with this place more eloquently and accurately than these words and this short story can ever hope to. Regardless, thank you to the dedicated and caring AGGV staff and curator Jaimie Isaac for inviting me to share.
Steven McNeil joined the AGGV as the Curator of Historical & Canadian Art in October 2022 – a brand new position in the curatorial department, so we’re excited to get to know him more in an interview!
By Natalie Rollins, AGGV Public Programs Coordinator
Standing in circle under the golden Garry oak growing in the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s courtyard, Yetta woke the heart beat of a drum with a soft slow thrum, thrum, thrum. She opens into song reflecting this gentle rhythm and deep reverberance. Yetta’s teachings for the beading workshop begin; we have been invited to learn about the transformation of a bead.
There is something for everyone on your list this holiday season at the Gallery Shop! From festive cards designed by artists to cozy comforts and artisan jewelry, shop local and handmade this year and give gifts from the heart.
By Hilary Potosnak
Our Fall studio classes are in full swing at the Gallery and we have our sights set on exciting classes and programming for the winter session beginning this January. Some changes have come to the AGGV Studio, most notably in the departure of our treasured instructor and Studio Coordinator, Oona McClure.
By Tyrone Elliott
I’ve been Cedar weaving since I was 4. In my mind, there was a distinct disconnect between what I did and what artists did. I’ve come to learn that while not necessarily everything is art, most things, if not everything, can be made into art.
By Hilary Potosnak, Tours Coordinator
If you have spent any amount of time in the lobby of the AGGV over the past four months chances are you heard someone say, “I’m here to see Maud.” “Maud” of course is referring to Maud Lewis. Hundreds of visitors have come to the gallery to experience the amazing work of Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis since it opened in June 2022. From her charming oxen to her engaging seascapes, the paintings of Maud Lewis have filled our galleries with an energy that was wonderful to see.
Over the last few months, local film and dance artist, Kemi Craig (also Victoria’s newly selected Artist in Residence, 2022/24) has been hosting the Blackspace Sci-Fi Club at the AGGV. This exciting in-person series has been unfolding in conjunction with Kemi’s AGGV project Blueprints for the Afrofuture, which has (so far) featured a variety of virtual offerings and one in-person evening of sound and music with Hidden Variable.