The Glenbow Museum in Calgary has capped the first phase of its renovation with the relocation of 90,000 artifacts, including its collections from Africa, Asia and Western Canada. New high-density storage systems will create better conservation and accessibility, the gallery says. Watch a time-lapse video of the moving process here.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts raised $1 million at the second edition of a benefit hosted by Canadian collector Bruce Bailey. The gallery also announced that British artist Peter Doig has donated his 1991 painting, Study for Iron Hill, which features the Quebec countryside where he spent part of his childhood. The gallery held a 2014 exhibition for Doig. This is his first work in the collection. Read more here.
The Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art in Winnipeg is seeking board members for three-year terms. Established in 1972 as a not-for-profit exhibition space, Plug In is an important venue for contemporary art on the Prairies. For more information, go here.
The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association has announced finalists for the Magazine of the Year category for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The four winners, to be announced at the association's fall gala in Alberta, are recognized for achieving excellence in magazine publishing. Read more here.
An Edmonton gallery is showing works in clay by Ritchie Velthuis that chronicle how he created SCTV Monument, a popular outdoor sculpture in Edmonton featuring Bob and Doug McKenzie. The exhibition, Making of a Monument, is at the Alberta Craft Gallery until the fall. Velthuis will discuss the work on July 13 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a public reception. Find out more here.
An exhibition honouring the late Harry Kiyooka's last wish to show his early work opens July 16 at the Herringer Kiss Gallery in Calgary. Celebration of Life will feature paintings Kiyooka completed in Italy in 1960. Read more here.
Contemporary Calgary has announced an annual Indigenous residency to support truth and reconciliation. Ksahkomiitapiiks will explore the significance and meaning of land acknowledgements by pairing commissioned artists with Indigenous mentors. Adrian Stimson will be the first mentor. The inaugural artist will be announced shortly.
The Canada Council for the Arts recently awarded several prizes to visual artists. The winners include Esmaa Mohamoud, who won a Joseph S. Stauffer Prizes of $5,000, and Geneviève Wallen, who has received the $3,500 Joan Yvonne Lowndes Award.
The Robert Bateman Award for Conservation through Arts has been awarded to Amy Lynn Hein of Calgary. Hein specializes in botanical illustration, handmade pottery and natural dyes inspired by nature. She is also an educator, blogger, and children’s book writer. Her motivation comes from the idea that small actions can create substantial change.