VARLEY-McKAY

ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

The Art Gallery

MONDAY, FEBRUARY      26, 2007 – 4:00 P.M.

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance:

 

            Members                                                        Staff

            Bill Pickering, Chair                                          John Ryerson, Director

            Howard Back, Vice Chair                                Katarina Attasanova

            Karen Chadwick                                              Sue Firkser

            Nancy Coxford                                                Cheryl Rego

            Anna Gauci                                                      Pamela Cook, Committee Secretary

            Donald Hindson

            Robert McCulloch                                            Regrets

            Stan Neal                                                         Lana Champion

            Elizabeth Plashkes                                            Heather Sifton

            Michael Rothe

            Beverly Schaeffer

            Councillor Joe Virgilio

 

The 10th meeting of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham convened at the hour of 4:09 p.m. with Bill Pickering presiding as Chair.

 

1.      ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE VARLEY-McKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 29, 2007

 

Moved by Donald Hindson

Seconded by Nancy Coxford

 

THAT THE MINUTES OF THE VARLEY-McKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2007 BE ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

 

CARRIED

2.      CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS

 

The Chair welcomed everyone and announced that there will be a presentation at approximately 5:15 p.m. from Gallery staff concerning the outreach program for schools.  The two current art shows are very good and the opening went exceptionally well.  It was further announced that a report of the In Camera session from the 1st meeting will also be forthcoming.

Varley-McKay Art Foundation

February 26, 2007

Page 2

 

3.      NEW BUSINESS

 

a.       Meeting of Board at Arts and Letters Club – The Chair commented that apparently no Committee has had a scheduled meeting outside of the Town of Markham jurisdiction.

 

Moved by Stan Neal

Seconded by Howard Back

 

THAT Council be asked to approve the following recommendation:

 

“Whereas the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto will be presenting an exhibition at the Varley Art Gallery in 2008;

 

And, whereas Fred Varley and all of the Group of Seven artists were Members of the Club;

 

THAT, Council be requested to grant approval for the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Board to hold the April meeting at the Arts and Letters Club in downtown Toronto, at the expense of Foundation Members”

CARRIED

 

b.      Director’s Report – J. Ryerson tabled a Director’s Report, February 26th, 2007 Foundation Board Meeting for receipt.  The Canadian Artists Without Boarders Symposium “Breaking Down the Barriers” to be held on March 11th.  Members of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation were invited to drop in for the third session to meet with the artists who will be presenting.  The Director commented that we are still trying to break into the Toronto media, but did receive major coverage in a Persian magazine and a Persian radio station.  The Director attended a press conference where the Minister of Culture, the Honourable Mike Colle was in attendance and the Foundation was invited to apply for funding up to $20,000 for projects related to integration.  It was too late for this fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, but an application will be submitted in April.

 

                                                   i.            Financial Report – H. Back tabled a Draft Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Financial Statements, December 31, 2006 for review and discussion.  Mr. Back commented that a fund has been set up for the 10th Anniversary Celebration, and as of the last Board meeting a Capital fund has been set up crediting the amount for the anonymous donation which has been received. 

Varley-McKay Art Foundation

February 26, 2007

Page 3

Cont’d i)

One security from that donation has been sold and we are in the process of selling the second.  Accounts payable includes money owing to the Breast Cancer group who co-sponsored the Homes for the Holiday event.  J. Ryerson will instruct the Town of Markham to pay out $46,128.00 to their share.  The Director reported that attempts are underway to get the Statement on the March Council Agenda for discussion.  It was further noted that Council should address current membership of the Foundation and the Chair asked members to let him know if they wish to continue for the next term.  As well, the Chair will approach the Mayor to determine if there are any new members for consideration.  There was a suggestion that there needs to be a more formal document concerning membership and the Foundation to be prepared for the Annual Report.  The Chair will prepare a draft document for review and discussion at the next meeting.

 

c.       Development Report

 

                                                   i.            2007 Celebrations – N. Coxford indicated there was nothing new to report at this time.  The committee wants some recognition of the 10th Anniversary and are still trying to work through what kind of event and where.  E. Plashkes suggested it might be beneficial to put something in the catalogue for the Art Auction.

                                                 ii.            McKay House Garden Project – It was reported that this has gone out for tender and there should be a response before the next meeting.

                                                iii.            Art Auction – Elizabeth tabled a Varley Gallery Fine Art Auction Committee Report to the Board for discussion and review.  It was reported that the Auction is in good shape for Sponsors and Silent Auction items.  Entertainment has been booked and the promotion materials will by ready by March 6th.  The Committee agreed that the price for the tickets would be $50 per person.  In response to a request from the Fine Arts Committee, the Director indicated that due to budget and manpower restraints it is not possible to change the internal structure of the Gallery at this time, although it might be possible for future years if the request is presented for consideration.  It was agreed that dividers could be rented in order to hang as much of the artwork as possible and to maximize the existing gallery space.

                                               iv.            Art Auction Sponsorship – The Chair reported that $5,000 has been received from Polson - Bourbonnierre, Financial Planners.  It was suggested that a half page ad be placed in the brochure.  There may be an additional $2,500 to $5,000, depending on contacts that result from their presence in the brochure.

Varley-McKay Art Foundation

February 26, 2007

Page 4

                                                 v.            Gordon Foundation Challenge – nothing to report.

                                               vi.            2007 Fund – N. Coxford reported that an additional $1,000 had been received.

                                              vii.            Homes for the Holidays – It was reported that ScotiaBank has agreed to a $10,000 corporate sponsorship of the program.  The package is being fine-tuned to complete the transaction.

 

4.      COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

a.       Volunteer Committee

                                                   i.            Volunteer Recognition Program – A review of how to annually recognize the work of volunteers is underway and will be reported at a future meeting. 

 

5.      OTHER BUSINESS

 

a.       Major Gift Planning – The Chair will prepare a letter of recognition for the anonymous donor in recognition of the generous gift to the Foundation.  A Steering Committee was set up to look at the distribution of this gift.  Howard Back , Stan Neal, Don Hindson, and Councillor Joe Virgilio agreed to work with the Chair on this Committee. 

b.      Getty Institute Visit – K. Attasanova reported on her recent visit to view the Icon Exhibit at the Getty Institute in Los Angeles and thanked the Committee for her opportunity to attend the exhibit. 

c.       Varley Book – K. Attasanova announced that the book on the Varley family has been selected by the Globe and Mail Readers List to appear in their column on April 21st.  Katrina also read an excerpt from a recent letter received from Julie Varley that was complimentary of the efforts by the Foundation and gave permission to quote from previously restricted sources.

d.      Education Presentation – Cheryl Rego and Sue Firkser made a presentation to the Committee on the Varley Art à la Carte program.  Transportation from the schools is expensive and as a result the staff have developed an Outreach program to go into the classrooms and do a presentation and offer hands-on activities and 80 minutes of art instruction to students and teachers.  Forty programs have been booked so far, grossing approximately $4,000 and additional programs have been scheduled.  As well there is a Professional Development project for teachers, with workshops being offered at the Varley Art Gallery.  Attendance has been very promising.  The In-House School Program at the Varley Art Gallery has also been well attended.

Varley-McKay Art Foundation

February 26, 2007

Page 5

 

 

6.      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

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

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2007 AT 4:00 P.M. in the Galleries at the Art Gallery.

 

7.      ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

On a motion by Howard Back and seconded by Councillor Virgilio, the meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Feb 27 07 minutes