VARLEY MCKAY

ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM
VARLEY ART GALLERY

Monday, January 18, 2010– 4:00 P.M.

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance:

 

Members Present:

Howard Back, Chair

Alan Bryce

Patrick Carr

Karen Chadwick

Mahesh Chokshi

Drew Gerrard

Anna Hudson

Sammy Lee

Patty Loveland

Robert McCulloch

Elizabeth Plashkes

Terrence Pochmurski

Beverly Schaeffer

Ernestine Tahedl

 

 

 

Building & Long Range Planning Committee:

Bill Pickering, Chair

 

Regrets:

Edward Mariani

Stan Neal

Regional Councillor Joe Virgilio

 

Staff:

John Ryerson, Director, Culture

Francine Perinet, Director, Varley Art         Gallery

Francesca Amato-Gauci, Development         Officer

Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The meeting of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Board convened at 4:15 pm, with Howard Back presiding as Chair.

 

 

1.                  CALL TO ORDER AND CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS

 

The Chair welcomed those in attendance and expressed best wishes to all for 2010.  Special welcome was extended to John Ryerson, Director, Culture and Judy Kee, Committee Clerk.

 

The Chair reported continued good reviews on the Automatiste exhibition.  The Canadian Art Magazine reported that Les Automatiste was the number one exhibition of the year in Canada.  A very positive review was given by Sarah Milroy of the Globe and Mail where she described the exhibition as “her most important Canadian art experience of 2009”.  Congratulations were extended to all involved.

 

Members were advised that the Chair, Anna Hudson and the Varley Director had recently met with Mr. Wallace Joyce.  The meeting had been very cordial and provided an opportunity to provide an update on the status of the Varley expansion project.

 

 

2.         ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO AGENDA

 

The Chair advised that the Director will present her report prior to the Sub-Committee Reports as she had to leave for another commitment this evening.

 

 

 

3.         ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE VARLEY-McKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM BOARD MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 30, 2009

 

The Board directed that Item #6 on Page 4 of the minutes of the November 30, 2009 meeting be amended to read as follows:

 

“He suggested that a surplus from the Tenth Anniversary Fund could be used for art acquisitions.”

 

MOVED BY: Patrick Carr

SECONDED BY: Elizabeth Plashkes

 

THAT the minutes of the Varley McKay Foundation of Markham Board meeting held on November 30, 2009 be adopted, as amended.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

Curator Selection - The Chair and Francine Perinet provided an update on the selection of the new Curator noting that a second list of names is being gathered for review by the selection committee.

 

“Shelled Buildings – France” - Members were advised that the purchase of the Varley painting: “Shelled Buildings – France” was completed in December in the amount of $42,000, including auction premium, substantially less than budgeted.

 

Berczy Painting - The Chair reported that the condition of the William Berczy painting, “Portrait of Maria Theresa” was examined and has been purchased as authorized.  It is currently being restored.

 

 

 

5.         SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

a)         Building and Long Range Planning Committee

 

Mr. Bill Pickering, Chair, presented a verbal report on the status of the Varley Art Gallery Expansion project.

 

b)        Art Acquisition Committee

 

Ms. Anna Hudson reported that the Art Acquisition Committee would like to consider the purchase of a 1947 Untitled painting by Canadian artist Fernand Leduc.  The piece comes with excellent provenance and is in good condition.  A photo of the painting was circulated and details of its size, significance and potential cost were provided.  The direction of the Board was requested with respect to staff pursuit of the piece.

 

There was considerable discussion regarding the Collection Mandate of the Varley and whether such a purchase would be in keeping with the objectives of that Mandate.  It was generally agreed that the Mandate, and possibly the strategic planning process, should be reviewed prior to making a decision on the purchase of the painting.  The Chair suggested that a special meeting of the Board be scheduled to discuss the Mandate, and the Director advised that a copy of the current Mandate would be emailed to all Members of the Board for their information and review, along with some suggested meeting dates and times.  The Director will work towards finding a potential facilitator/consultant to assist in the discussion of the Mandate.

 

It was directed that the Art Acquisition Committee continue consideration of the purchase of the Leduc painting along with a recommendation as to the Mandate of the Permanent Collection and whether the painting fits within the Mandate.

 

 

c)         Homes for the Holidays Committee

 

Ms. Karen Chadwick, Chair, distributed draft copies of the final report of the 2009 Home for the Holidays event, noting that the finalized report will be presented at the next meeting.  Overall, the four-day event had been very positive with net revenues totalling $86,924.93, down slightly from 2008 due in part to the recession, reduced support from the Town of Markham, and competition with other house tours in York Region.

 

Ms. Chadwick provided feedback on the various components of the 2009 event, including: sponsorship, venues; committee and volunteers; designers; homes and homeowners; media and print, and tickets.

 

Members were advised that this draft report had been presented as a preliminary briefing and that there will be an opportunity at the next Board meeting to discuss the event further.

 

 

d)        Art Auction Committee

 

Mr. Patrick Carr, Chair, reported that the Art Auction will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2010, and the theme will be “Art for All”.

 

The sponsorship package is being prepared and the goal will be to raise $100,000.  It is planned that meetings of the Committee will be held every other Thursday until the auction date.

 

 

e)         Development Committee

 

Ms. Elizabeth Plashkes, Chair, spoke briefly on the following:

·      Varley staff are working on the signage projects

·      newsletters

·      training of Board Members regarding fund-raising

·      importance of strategic planning discussions

·      status of courtyard sculptures project

 

 

f)          Volunteer Committee

 

Ms. Francesca Amato-Gauci, Development Officer, provided an update on the

e-newsletters and advised that they will be tied into the Varley website.  The Volunteer newsletter will be sent out next week, and the Gallery Newsletter will follow shortly after that.

 

 

 

6.         FINANCIAL REPORT

 

There was no report presented.

 

 

 

7.         DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

Ms. Francine Perinet, Director, Varley Art Gallery, reported on the following matters:

·        advertisement for part-time School Coordinator will be placed this week; it will be recommended that the position become full-time in the near future

·        potential candidate to be consultant for “strategic planning” is being considered; more details to come

·        signage for three banners on Carleton Street has been approved by the Unionville BIA; Fontasy has been contacted to produce

·        installation of sign at corner of Main Street Unionville and Carleton Road to mark entrance; position to be confirmed

·        sketches of proposed signage to replace kiosk/column in Courtyard will be circulated to all Members of the Board for comments; it is proposed that new signage will be installed in the Spring 

·        programming for summer is currently being negotiated; more details will be provided prior to the next meeting

 

 

·        a co-production between the Varley and the Textile Museum of Canada in Toronto has been negotiated to open in September of 2010, reception to be included; administration, promotion, publicity and publications will be managed jointly; a presentation sponsor is currently being sought

·        an application for a grant has been made to the Department of Canadian Heritage – Museum Assistance Program (Federal Government) in the amount of $148,000 to support the co-production of the Kai Chan exhibition in partnership with The Textile Museum of Canada in Toronto.  The grant was submitted by The Museum for Textile on behalf of both organizations

·        The Musée d’art de Joliette in Joliette, Québec, Cambridge Galleries, St. Mary University Art Gallery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and other Galleries are also interested in presenting this exhibition

 

 

 

8.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Varley Access - Clearing of Curb by Portico Sidewalk – Some concern was expressed that snow piles up at the curb by the portico sidewalk making it difficult to access the Gallery.  The Director of Culture will contact the Town’s Operation Department to ensure that there is access following heavy snowfall.

 

Attendance Figures – Copies of current and year to date attendance statistics for the Varley Gallery and the McKay Art Centre were distributed.  Members discussed factors that drive attendance and the demographics of attendees, and it was suggested that increased advertising and promotion would benefit the Gallery.

 

 

 

9.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting is scheduled for:

 

Monday, March 1, 2010 at 4:00 pm at the Art Gallery

 

In addition, the April meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th will be changed to Monday, April 19th.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Board of the Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham adjourned at 5:45 pm.