VARLEY-McKAY

ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

The Art Gallery

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 - 4:00 P.M.

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance:

 

Members

Staff

Howard Back, Vice Chair

John Ryerson, Director

Nancy Coxford

Judi Kosch, Committee Secretary

Anna Gauci

Barb Roth, Director

Patty Loveland

Regrets

Michael Rothe

Brian Roman

Stan Neal

Heather Sifton

Bill Pickering, Chair

Karen Chadwick

Beverly Schaeffer

Robert McCulloch

Don Hindson

 

Lana Champion

 

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

Councillor Erin Shapero

 

 

The third meeting of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham convened at the hour of

4:15 p.m. with Bill Pickering presiding as Chair. 

 

1.   ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE

      VARLEY McKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM

      MEETINGS HELD ON JANUARY 16 AND JANUARY 26, 2006

 

Moved by Howard Back

Seconded by Lana Champion

 

THAT THE MINUTES OF THE VARLEY McKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 16, 2006, BE ADOPTED.

CARRIED

 

Moved by Patty Loveland

Seconded by Beverly Schaeffer

 

THAT THE MINUTES OF THE VARLEY McKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 26, 2006, BE ADOPTED.

CARRIED

 

2.   CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS – The Chair called on John Ryerson for his report.

 

3.   NEW BUSINESS

 

a)      Director’s report - John Ryerson gave a brief overview of his February report; mentioned the successful Mid Eastern showing – Hanna Guirges has been invaluable in this endeavour  (his Career Bridge contract has been extended a further two months to a total of six); John has been invited to speak at the International Portraits Festival in December and the Gallery has been asked to make a $1000.00 sponsorship pledge to this event; he mentioned the Central Commerce School show on March 8th, the launch of the Kidney Foundation fundraiser on April 27th  in conjunction with the Casson public opening on April 2nd – a tremendous promotional opportunity; the upcoming Arctic Show on May 25th – the Chair urged all members to make every effort to attend as many of these events as possible.  John Ryerson advised of a sizable cash donation from the Royal Bank, which will be put towards the publication for the Arctic Show – kudos to Stan Neal for his assistance in this relationship.

 

b)   Art Auction – Michael Rothe provided a progress report on the arrangements for the auction – tickets, posters, cards are ready and being circulated; art works from the various galleries are slowly coming in; work is ongoing to catalogue all the pieces; items are coming in for the silent auction and he encouraged members if they have any contacts to provide a unique type of item for this segment to follow up with them.  He spoke of a number of concerns relative to: having enough volunteers to help the day/night of the event and it was agreed that all members would do their utmost to provide at least two helpers; it was agreed, also, that Councillor Shapero would approach the Mayor’s Youth Task Force for their assistance.  The other major concern was ensuring that the items for the silent auction were provocative and stimulating enough to encourage bid action, i.e. hot air balloon rides, airplane rides, etc.    Michael indicated that he would be in touch with all members via e-mail as arrangements proceed to more clearly identify what will be needed, as there will not be a Foundation meeting in March.  John Ryerson advised that media coverage for this event is quite broad – Canadian Art Magazine, Markham Board of Trade Magazine, and Markham Living.  Patty Loveland advised that she has been able to obtain the large tent similar to the one used at the launch of the Gallery, which will be set up outside the building; she also requested of Barb Roth if it would be possible for flower pots, etc. to be set up for the evening around the building and the tent.  Michael Rothe also indicated that a jazz-type band would be playing during the evening; and the Foundation has the support of Willow Springs Winery.

 

c)   Foundation AGM carry-forward item – Barb Roth advised that the Memorandum of Understanding would be going forward to Committee on March 6th.  There followed considerable discussion on the lack of resolution of the 2003 Audited Financial Statements as well as being able to hold an Annual General Meeting.  The Chair called on Regional Councillor Jim Jones and Councillor Erin Shapero for their assistance to get this matter finalized once and for all – it was agreed that it has been dragging on for too long.

 

d)   Review of Financial Statements to December 31, 2005 – Howard Back advised that he has yet to receive the year-end financial statements for the Foundation.  He reported that the operating budget of the gallery ended in a favourable year-end position.

 

4.   COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

a)      Development Committee – Patty Loveland advised that the Committee is putting all its efforts into assisting with the upcoming Auction.

b)      Volunteer Committee – Lana Champion suggested that contact should be made with larger new businesses opening in Markham with the view to inviting them to the Auction to purchase art for their offices.  It was suggested that she get in touch with Stephen Chait, Director, Economic Development, at the Town of Markham for suggestions.

 

c)      Art Committee – Stan Neal briefly reviewed the highly successful meeting – a considerable number of works of art have been offered to the Gallery to either buy or receive as a donation. 

 

Cultural property designation gift of F.H. Varley, Nude with Green Apple Arthur Lismer, 1948 oil; and Milne dry point from an estate.  Extended loan of the Milne work.

 

Molly Lamb Bobak “Skating” 15x21 oil on masonite, acquired circa 1972 from Charles Miller.

 

Photographs from photographer John Reeves – gift of selection of Canadian artist portraits; a cultural property application and list was handed out.

 

Negotiations regarding purchase of works initiated – for discussion at a future meeting.

 

Sybil Hill “Untitled” still life c 1930-36, Varley student and model, oil, from Luciana Benzi (archival photos available in Gallery)

 

Ted Rettig 2 works on paper and 2 coffee mugs – offered as a gift of the artist

 

Gift and purchase from Mary Heimlich of Herman Heimlich work. Katerina viewed the collection in Montreal and has made a selection, presenting from a CD. Authorization was given to acquire up to 15 works and negotiation parameters were established. 

 

Elliot Lake gift and purchase offer from the White Mountain Academy via the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.  It was approved that Anna Hudson’s expenses be covered to review the collection for selection and presentation to Committee.  There is a deadline on this offer to acquire. Offer was made in a letter dated Feb 7th.

 

F. H. Varley Eskimo drawing – from Canadian Fine Arts – the owner is open for discussion on gifting or purchase, the board established an upset limit – it will be used in this summer's Arctic exhibition.

 

F. H. Varley sketch of Jim offered for purchase at $2, 500.00 by a private owner was approved.

 

The Board established parameters for negotiations on two other purchases.

 

On a motion by Donald Hindson, seconded by Michael Rothe, it was agreed that the Foundation would accept the report of the Art Committee to accept the donations of the works of art; to purchase the Varley Eskimo painting, if it is not gifted, at a price not to exceed a price limit established by the Board; the Yulia Birukova ‘Portrait’ painting; the purchase of the Jack Nichols ‘Face’ painting not to exceed a price established by the Foundation.

CARRIED

The Chair discussed the possibility of commissioning the photographer, John Reeves, to do a portrait of Bill Withrow.  The Foundation agreed that this would be appropriate in light of the tremendous contributions to the art world by Mr. Withrow and would also compliment the celebration of 2007. 

 

On a motion by Stan Neal, seconded by Howard Back, it was agreed to approach John Reeves with a request for him to do a portrait photograph of Bill Withrow with a plaque recognizing his efforts over the years to the art community as a whole as well as to the Foundation and Gallery.

CARRIED

5.   OTHER BUSINESS

 

a)   Mayor’s Dinner for the Arts – Howard Back advised that this Dinner would be held on March 30th at the Hilton Suites; he proposed that Board members pool their resources to sponsor a table for 10 at a cost of $1500.00.  Board members were encouraged to join the table.

 

b)   International Portrait Festival – John Ryerson requested Foundation support to sponsor an award at this upcoming Festival in December 2006 in the amount of $1,000.00; he has been asked to speak at this event and as well, this group will be assisting with the Gallery’s 2007 anniversary exhibition of contemporary portrait artists. 

     

On a motion by Donald Hindson and seconded by Stan Neal it was agreed to sponsor the International Portrait Festival to be held at the Art Gallery of Ontario in December 2006 in the amount of $1,00.00 subject to further details being provided by the Director to all members of the Foundation.

CARRIED

c)   Key Dates

March 8, 7 p.m. – Central Commerce School Opening

March 30 – Mayor’s Dinner for the Arts

April 2, 2 p.m. – Casson Opening

May 17 – Art Auction

May 25, 7 p.m. – Artist Odysseys: The Arctic Opening

 

6.   DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next regular meeting of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham is scheduled for:

 

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2006, AT 4:00 p.m. IN THE GALLERIES AT THE VARLEY ART GALLERY.

 

7.   ADJOURNMENT

     

      There being no further business, it was agreed to adjourn.

 

On a motion by Anna Gauci and seconded by Michael Rothe, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

 

CARRIED

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