Have you picked up your Public Art Map of Oshawa yet? This guide features images and maps of public sculptures and murals through the city!
We are proud to have partnered with the City of Oshawa, Parkwood Estate, the Oshawa Community Museum, Durham College and University Institute of Ontario (UOIT) to realize this project!
Join us on Friday 6 February from 7-10pm as we celebrate our 4th anniversary, this RMG Fridays is not to be missed! Our co-hosts for the night include The Honourable Mayor John Henry, Dr. Tim McTiernan of UOIT, Don Lovisa of Durham College, and Leo Groarke of Trent University.
The night is jam-packed with sights and sounds including the much-anticipated performance by Grey Lands, Wayne Petti’s return to his alt-country roots and indie rockers Howie Sutherland and The Indigos. Share your favourite RMG Fridays moment and check out the opening of Closeups: Margaret Rodgers.
On the first Friday of the month, join the RMG in celebrating local talent. The gallery buzzes with live musical performances, interactive art experiences, open gallery spaces, social mingling and more. Suitable for music lovers, youth, families, date nights, and culture-vultures.
While you’re at the RMG, enjoy a selection of tapas prepared by Pillar’s Catering.
Free to attend | 7-10pm | Cash Bar | All ages welcome.
Follow the twitter feed at #RMGFridays!
The RMG is grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support of RMG Fridays. The RMG also extends its thanks to the Aked Endowment, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Oshawa and the Canada Council for the Arts for the support of our exhibition programming.
Image – Margaret Rodgers, Fireman and Fan, Prospect Park 1900, 2014 and Grey Lands
In this edition of The Intern Files, we hear from Taylor Short. Taylor is fourth year Communications student at Oshawa’s University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). This week Taylor completed her internship with us. Here is her blog post about her experience working in an art gallery for the first time.
In attempting to conceptualize the space of an art gallery, I typically picture paintings hanging on blank walls with people browsing through works as they please. My recent experience as an intern at the RMG has changed my perspective of the use of gallery spaces. I have come to the realization that art, and gallery spaces alike, are creative tools for gaining a better understanding of various environments.
Having the chance of exploring works within the gallery and working with individuals who share a passion for art has been an eye opening experience. It has been exciting to learn about artists, attention-grabbing mediums, and the messages associated with various creative pieces.
The RMG gift shop has been one of my areas of focus during my time as an intern at the gallery. Norah O’Donnell and I have enjoyed exploring exclusive products beautifully crafted by local artisans. It has been exciting to be educated about the ways in which pieces are crafted and developed, to create exclusively striking jewellery, pottery, glass ware, and fine art alike.
(Pictured: New artist finger puppet/magnets in the RMG shop)
Art has a curious way of reaching into the deepest corners of our imagination. It seeps into our souls and allows us to experience a simple sense of bliss. I hope that the rest of my time at the gallery continues to allow my imagination to be exhilarated.
From the desk of Linda Jansma, our curator.
On Monday, 28 November in the morning, I attended the official opening of UOIT’s Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre (ERC). Six years ago, we invested in a ground source heating system for our home, so I am excited to know that Oshawa’s university is a leader in research into innovation in clean and renewable energy as this is where the future is undoubtedly taking us. After the dignitaries spoke, they gathered in front of a sculpture to cut the ribbon and declare the building officially open. Yes, they stood in front of a sculpture!
And not just any sculpture but Geordie Lishman’s True Power, a magnificent 4.1 metre high stainless steel horse that I first saw at Geordie’s home and studio in Ajax. True Power was the central work in the exhibition Hidden Worlds held at the RMG this past summer and which I described in the catalogue essay as an “other-worldly creature of graceful power.” This exhibition was definitely a highlight in our 2011 programming year as shown by the hundreds of people who attended the opening and the number of repeat visitors we had over the summer months.
I was thrilled to hear of the community grass roots initiative to purchase the work for UOIT and specifically for the new research centre. Oshawa and its citizens continue to support this place as a creative city and it shows in how quickly they were able to raise the funds to make this initiative happen. Geordie describes his sculpture as symbol of untapped potential in harnessing energy. How perfect that it would become a centre piece for an institution that is also seeking to harness renewable energy sources! Congratulations go to Geordie, our tireless community supporters of the arts and UOIT in making this match possible.
This Friday staff from the RMG will be at the UOIT/Durham College campus in Oshawa at the Durham Region Tourism Summit, which is followed by the DATCA’s, (Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards). We’re proud to be part of this event as an exhibitor and a DATCA nominee!
Two of our projects were nominated this year. One is our First Fridays event series, the other our public art installation by Douglas Coupland. We are so proud of both of these accomplishments and we look forward to learning about all of the other interesting and exciting projects that have happened in Durham Region that led to other businesses, artists and organizations being nominated.
We hope you will be attending the event!
November 25, 2011
TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Durham College/ UOIT Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre
ADDRESS: 2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, Ontario
ADMISSION: FREE
Links From the Art of Transition:
YouTube Page with many speaking about the importance of this project
More:
The Art of Transition on Facebook
Facebook Event Page – Tourism Summit
Facebook Event Page – Creative Marketplace