VARLEY McKAY

ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

The Varley Art Gallery

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2007 – 4:00 P.M.

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance:

 

Members:

Howard Back, Chair

Donald Hindson, Secretary

Brian Ayer

Ernestine Tahedl

Bill Pickering

Beverly Schaeffer

Drew Gerrard

Lana Champion
Michael Rothe

Nancy Coxford

Elizabeth Plashkes

Stan Neal

Robert McCulloch

Patty Loveland

Councillor Joe Virgilio

Karen Chadwick

Anna Gauci

 

Regrets:

 

Mahesh Chokshi

Sammy Lee

 

 



 

 

Staff:

John Ryerson, Director
Katerina Atanassova, Curator and Program Coordinator

L. Gold, Committee Clerk

 

 

The ninth meeting of 2007 of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Board convened at 4:15 p.m. with Howard Back presiding as Chair.

 

 

1.         CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS

 

Howard Back, Chair, congratulated the Homes for the Holiday Committee for the success of the event and for its financial accomplishments. 

 

 

2.         ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE VARLEY-McKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM BOARD MEETING HELD

ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2007

 

The following changes were made to the October 29, 2007 minutes:

 

1)     Working with a designer to create a logo was omitted from item 7) of the Development Committee Report on page 4.

2)     The Date of the Art Auction was corrected to May 1, 2008 on page 5 of the minutes.

3)     That a theme of original Canadian Art be (continued rather than considered) for the Art Auction 2008 on page 5 of the minutes.

 

Moved by Lana Champion
Seconded by Bill Pickering

 

“That the minutes of the Varley McKay Foundation of Markham Board meeting held on, October 29, 2007 be adopted as amended”.

CARRIED

 

3.     BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

The Board was advised that Bryan Ayer, Board Member, and Katerina Atanassova, Curator and Program Coordinator, went to view the two Fredrick Varley Water Colours entitled “Eddie Tide, White Harbour, 1905-1906” and “Rainy Day Harbour, 1903-1906” at the Heffel Fine Art Auction House.  They indicated the paintings were in good condition and advised that they were able to acquire the paintings for less than the Board had anticipated. At the Auction house, it was brought to their attention that a third sketch by Fredrick Varley entitled Youth, 1953 was also available for acquisition.

 

Moved by Brian Ayer
Seconded by Patty Loveland

 

WHEREAS THE Board at its meeting of October 29th, 2007, authorized the purchase of two (2) Varley watercolours at a cost not to exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) plus commission and taxes for a total of Twenty-six Thousand Dollars ($26,000.00);

 

AND WHEREAS Twenty-eight Thousand Dollars ($28,000.00) was available from the Gordon Foundation and other related grants for such purchase;

 

AND WHEREAS the two (2) watercolours were acquired for Thirteen Thousand One Hundred Ten Dollars ($13,110.00) including commission and taxes;

 

AND WHEREAS a Varley “Portrait of Youth” became available at the auction;

 

AND WHEREAS after convassing available Board members purchase by auction of “Portrait of Youth” was approved;

 

AND WHEREAS the “Portrait of Youth” was acquired for Thirty-one Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-four Dollars ($31,464.00) including commission and taxes;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

 

The additional expenditure of Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-four Dollars ($18,574.00) be authorized and that Seventeen Thousand Dollars ($17,000.00) be transferred from the General Fund to the Designated Fund (General) which together with the Gordon Foundation and related grants will be sufficient to fund the above art purchases totalling Forty-four Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-four Dollars ($44,574.00).”

 

CARRIED

 

4.     FINANCIAL REPORT

 

BUSINESS PLAN 2008-2010

 

Drew Gerrard, Treasurer, provided the Board with copies of the 2008-2010 Business Plan attached as Appendix A to these minutes.  He explained the Business Plan is a requirement of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Board and the Town of Markham. The plan is required annually for a three-year rolling period.  He noted 2007 was a very successful financial year for the Gallery.  He reviewed the highlights of the Business Plan and advised there would be significant expenditure on the creation of the “2009 Les Automatistes Exhibit” in 2008.

 

MOVED BY DONALD HINDSON

SECONDED BY DREW GERRARD

 

“That the Business Plan 2008-2010, as presented, be approved and adopted for the upcoming fiscal year”.

 

CARRIED

 

5.     COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

A. Art Committee

 

The Board viewed donations in consideration for acceptance prior to the meeting. The Board briefly discussed the acceptance of these items.

Moved by Donald Hindson

Seconded by Michael Rothe

 

“That the Board accept the donation of the “Alfred Pelan” as a valued addition to the Gallery’s collection of contemporary Canadian Artists and that the appropriate appraisal receipt be granted.; and

 

That the Board accept donation of the following works to be acquired under the Cultural Property Program subject to the receipt by the Gallery of the appropriate appraisals:

 

(a)               Ron Bloore – “Untitled” being an example of his White Period

(b)               Tom Hodgson – “Untitled” – oil on canvas; and further,

 

That the Board accept donation of the following two photographic portfolios by John Reeves to be acquired under the Cultural Property Program subject to the receipt by the Gallery of the appropriate appraisals:

 

(a)   Surfacing for Atwood (24 photographs)

(b)   The Ashoona Women.”

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

B. Building and Long Range Planning

 

The Building and Long Range Planning Committee is awaiting the completion of the Mechanical Study and has received some of the preliminary architectural drawings.  The Final Report is expected to be completed early in the New Year.  Upon the completion of these studies a report regarding the expansion of the Gallery is targeted to go to Town Council sometime in the spring of 2008.

 

C. Development Committee

 

The Development Committee advised of a number of Fall/Winter priorities and completed actions:

 

1) Mailed letters to everyone that donated to the Garden Project updating them of the projects status

2) Working on the Foundation’s website (sample pages are now available for viewing);

3) Registered web domain name for the Foundation;

4) Working towards making the Newsletter more donor focused

5) Raising money towards the Gordon Foundation Grant by selling necklaces and other items at Markham Theatre (volunteers are needed for Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 9, Dec. 15, and Dec. 16);

6) Discussed with Unionville Secondary School the possibility of starting a Wally Joyce Scholarship in the amount of $500.00.

 

The Board and Unionville Secondary School agreed the application process for the scholarship would involve: 1) an essay regarding how the student developed as artist over the four years of high school; and 2) a display of the student’s artwork.  The artwork will be judged by teachers at Unionville Secondary School and by a member of the Board.  The selection criteria will be based on the strength of the work, the development and maturity of the artist, and the essay that will be evaluated based on the artist understanding of themselves as an artist.

 

The Board had a brief discussion regarding whether the scholarship should be extended to other high schools in Markham and the monetary amount of the scholarship.  It was noted there were (3) other scholarships for other art disciplines at Unionville Secondary School, which were all in the amount of $500.00.

 

 

Moved by Nancy Coxford
Seconded by Elizabeth Plashkes

 

“That a Wally Joyce Scholarship be provided on a per annum basis, in an amount starting at $500.00, to a grade 12 student at Unionville Secondary School, enrolled in a visual arts course and that intends to study visual arts at a post secondary institution”.

CARRIED

 

Homes for the Holidays

The growth of the “Homes for the Holiday” event was discussed.  Members believed the event has become too large for the chairs of the committee to manage.  The Committee thought the Board should consider hiring administrative help for some of the project management aspects of the event.  This item was referred back to the Development Committee to establish a specific recommendation for the Board.

 

Art Auction

The Art Auction sponsorship package was provided to the Board.  They were asked to: 1) review the package and make suggestions for improvement; and 2) make recommendations regarding prospective donors that should receive a sponsorship package.   The Board was advised that there will be (3) levels of sponsorship and that a food sponsor is still needed.  The next meeting of the Art Auction will be held on Dec. 4, 2007.

 

 

 

D. Volunteer Committee

 

Home for the Holidays

The Board was advised the “Home for the Holiday’s” event was the most successful to-date.  The contributions of Marjorie Bielawski, Varley Volunteer Coordinator, were recognized as key to the success of the event.  It was also noted the event also had a very effective Executive Committee, and 160 very helpful volunteers.

 

Book Club

The next meeting of the Book Club is scheduled for January 8, 2008, to discuss Catherine Gildiner’s Too Close to the Falls.  The meeting will take place at the Old Country Inn on Main Street Unionville, with dinner to follow.

 

Volunteer Newsletter

The next issue of the Varley Volunteer Newsletter will be published in December 2007.

 

2007 Holiday Volunteer Party

Ms. Bielawski is hosting a Holiday Volunteer Party on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the McKay Art Centre on Main Street Unionville.  Board Members are welcomed to attend.

 

Partnership with Royal Le Page

The Varley Volunteers are partnering with Royal Le Page to curate a number of art exhibits.  The partnership will involve a number of art exhibits at the Royal Le Page office on Main Street Unionville.

 

2008 Art Auction

Planning has already begun for the 2008 Art Auction and will pick up momentum in January.

 

6.     Directors Report

 

John Ryerson thanked Drew Gerrard and Howard Back for their efforts in creating the 2008-2010 Business Plan; Michael Rothe for his work on the Foundation’s website; and Patty Loveland for helping raise money for the Gordon Foundation Grant. He informed the Board of a “First Nations Exhibit” being held at the Georgina Arts Centre in conjunction with the Gallery.  He also advised the Board that the Mayor’s Diner for the Arts raised approximately $106,000.00 for development of culture in the Town of Markham.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Ryerson advised the Board that the Galley was being nominated for the Premier Award for the Arts (a $50,000.00 award).  He also informed the Board that Council had approved $20,000.00 for an eco art project, such as ice sculptures.  He advised of the opening of the York Region Juried Exhibition and the strong reputation the Gallery was establishing for its educational programs.  Lastly, he reported that he continues to promote the 2009 Les Automatistes Exhibit with key individuals and organizations.

 

7.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

Staff Lunch

 

The Board was reminded that Gallery staff still have not been treated to a thank you lunch for their hard work and contribution to the10th Anniversary event.

 

Resolutions

 

Howard Back, Chair, asked the Board to, where possible, draft resolutions before the meeting using previous Board minutes as format for the resolutions.

 

8.         UPCOMING EVENTS

 

No report was provided.

 

9.      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Varley Art Foundation of Markham will take place on Monday, January 28, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. in the Galleries at the Art Gallery.

 

 

10.       ADJOURNMENT

 

That the ninth meeting of 2007 of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Board adjourned at 6:20 p.m.