VARLEY-McKAY

ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

The Art Gallery

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2005 - 4:00 P.M.

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance:

 

Members

Staff

Howard Back, Vice Chair

John Ryerson, Director

Nancy Coxford

Judi Kosch, Committee Secretary

Don Hindson

Katerina Atanassova

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Regrets

Bob McCulloch

Brian Roman

Stan Neal

Heather Sifton

Bill Pickering, Chair

Patty Loveland

Michael Rothe

Karen Chadwick

Beverly Schaeffer

Lana Champion

Councillor Erin Shapero

Anna Gauci

 

Barb Roth, Director

 

 

 

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

4:30 p.m. with Bill Pickering presiding as Chairman. 

 

1.   ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE

      VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM

      MEETING HELD ON MAY 25, 2005

 

Moved by Don Hindson

Seconded by Nancy Coxford

 

THAT THE MINUTES OF THE VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MEETING HELD ON MAY 25, 2005, BE ADOPTED.

CARRIED

 

2.   CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS – The Chair spoke briefly on the ‘revival’ of the International Stone Sculpture Symposium which will now be held at the Canadian National Exhibition – a suitable venue.

 

3.   NEW BUSINESS

 

a)      Director’s report - John Ryerson gave an update on the public art project – 4 artists are working on 4 different sites within Markham – completion date of July 15 – the Communities in Bloom judges will be touring the area on July 19 and the Gallery will be hosting a luncheon on that day. The Development Services Commission funds the project.  He went on to speak of a recent meeting with Deputy Mayor Scarpitti, and others, on the Human Resources Action Plan for diversity by York Region – this is an 18-month project aimed at improving communicating the ethno-cultural diversity of the Region. John Ryerson is on the Action Committee for Awareness.  John Ryerson briefly mentioned the increased positive media coverage – the marketing program has been very successful this year; he also stated work was proceeding on the McKay House restorations and the expansion of the work to include replacing half the wall around the House.  There was brief discussion on the public art project – Anna Gauci is the Foundation’s representative on this Committee and will keep members updated through the Art Committee. The two recent purchases at auction of William Berczy, with support from the Berczy Settlers, and a Varley sketch 1925 were shown to the Board.

 

b)      Updated Budget for General Fund – Howard Back reviewed his memo outlining concerns and the need to get more funds in the General Fund – there is not enough revenue coming in to cover the General Fund – and he stressed the need for initiatives that would increase revenues if we are to avoid cutting back some of our support.

 

c)      Raffle of Painting – Deferred

 

d)   Art Auction – under item 3(a)

 

e)      Homes for the Holidays – Deferred

 

f)        Report on McKay House Renovations – Briefly reviewed under item 3 (a) 

 

g)      Varley Research Report – Katerina Atanassova gave a verbal presentation on the progress of her research – she circulated copies of a number of portraits done by Varley in his early years – the aim of this research is to justify Varley as one of the best portrait artists of his time; she went on to speak briefly on the proposed touring venues planned for 2007 – May to September at the Varley Gallery, then on to the Beaverbrook Gallery in New Brunswick and then to Edmonton with a possibly of ending up at the National Portrait Gallery in 2008.  The Gallery also has a York/Ryerson MA student doing research, both at the Gallery and at the Art Gallery of Ontario, on Kathleen McKay archives and collection.

 

h)      Eco Art Project Update – reviewed under 3 (a)

           

4.   COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

a)   Program and Operations Committee – no report, attendance numbers were circulated

 

b)      Art Committee – Bob McCulloch provided an update on the various initiatives being considered to increase revenues at the auction – there is consensus that changes are needed to revitalize the auction; suggestions include: change of venue to the Art Gallery; alternate suppliers of art works; change in catering; more local artists plus quality prints; planning for 2006 has already started – target date for the auction is the week of May 14th, 2006; and increased marketing outside Markham.  There followed general discussion and it was agreed to restructure the Auction as well as relocate the event to the Art Gallery.  There will be a further update at the meeting in September.

 

On a motion by Stan Neal, seconded by Howard Back and unanimously carried, the Varley-McKay Art Foundation supports the restructuring of the Art Auction and its relocation to the Art Gallery.

 

c)      Volunteer Committee – Deferred to next meeting

 

d)      Development Committee – covered under main agenda.

 

5.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

            Collection Policies and Procedures – Stan Neal reviewed the Collection Policies and Procedures handout for the Art Gallery.  Following considerable discussion it was agreed to adopt the policy as amended.  The collection policy will be presented to Council for approval in the fall.

 

            On a motion by Bob McCulloch, seconded by Don Hindson and unanimously carried, the Varley McKay Art Foundation approved the adoption of the Collection Policies and Procedures for the Art Gallery, as amended.

 

6.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

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

 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2005, 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 Beverly Schaeffer and seconded by Howard Back, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

 

CARRIED

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