Home > History > Still Vital As We Turn 75
"The good times started to roll!" By 1984 the ASA-OSA
collaborative exhibition came to fruition--embracing three
galleries from each province. Andie Wicherts and Pat Jones tread
the old "workhorse trail" to see these events through in high
style.
Other presentations of that period involved The Art Pavilion at
Expo '86 followed by "Art Is Our Game" two years later, celebrating
the Canada Olympics.
The art scene received an undignified kick in the teeth shortly
thereafter when the Provincial Government canceled publication of
their splendid quarterly "Visual Arts Newsletter." This cut was the
first in a series of financial setbacks for all the arts in this
province. The Alberta Society of Artists bashed on regardless, and
in 1986 a new project, "State of the Art," was introduced to
Edmonton and Calgary galleries. The following year, "Artifacts of
Past Lives," made its debut under the capable direction of Maureen
Harvey in Edmonton.
The Edmonton Art Gallery and curator Mark Joslin embraced the
ASA once more with the 60th Anniversary Show--and a handsome
catalogue to accompany it on to Grande Prairie and the Glenbow
Museum in Calgary.
Calgary's Isabelle Hunt-Johnson organized "Alberta Visions," a
second exchange program to Japan and Korea during the early
nineties which resulted in first-class international exposure for
Alberta artists' works, and a renewal of the existing intimacy
shared by our peoples.
A multitude of significant presentations have been negotiated
through Society expertise at local and provincial levels during the
past decade. Originating in Edmonton, a special tribute, "My Name
Is Tom Three Persons," introduced and honored one of Alberta's
pioneer native heroes in a unique traveling exhibition.
Rosalette Mandryk coordinated "Symbols in Civilization," from
Edmonton to celebrate the ASA's 65th Anniversary. It was
accompanied by a splendid catalogue circuiting six provincial
venues.
As we approach the millennium, the Alberta Society of Artists
may reflect with pride on their significance as a cultural icon in
this province after 70 years. It is our mandate to foster and
promote the visual arts in Alberta. To improve recognition for our
artists through our province, Canada, and abroad. To act as a
collective political voice on issues pertaining to Provincial,
Cultural Affairs, and further, to contribute to the well-being of
the artistic community we serve.
June Montgomery
October, 1997