"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