VARLEY
MCKAY
ART
FOUNDATION OF
TOWN OF
Monday, June 28, 2010
MINUTES
|
Attendance: Members Present: Alan Bryce Patrick Carr Mahesh Chokshi Paul Keeling Sammy Lee Patty Loveland Edward Mariani, UBIA Representative Robert McCulloch Stan Neal Elizabeth Plashkes, Vice-Chair Terrence Pochmurski, Secretary Beverly Schaeffer Ernestine Tahedl Regional Councillor Joe Virgilio (5:40
pm) |
Regrets: Drew Gerrard, Treasurer Anna Hudson Sub-Committee
Members: Bill
Pickering, Chair, Building and Long Range Planning Committee 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 4:10 pm
in the Community Room of the
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The Chair welcomed everyone in
attendance and called the meeting to order.
The Chair advised that the Ground
Breaking Ceremony for the Gallery expansion held on June 8th had
been well attended, and Mr. Wally Joyce was recognized and made an honorary
citizen of the Town. Discussions are
on-going with respect to the name of the new Gallery.
Members were advised that the Town’s
Corporate Innovations Team had recognized the Varley on the success of the
recent Art Auction.
2.
ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO AGENDA
Members
were advised that a greeting card has been prepared by Hallmark in honour of
Doris McCarthy’s birthday and would be available for signing at the end of the
meeting. (See Item #9 New Business)
3. MINUTES OF THE VARLEY-MCKAY
The Board requested that Item 10 on
Page 6 of the May 17th, 2010 Board minutes respecting the “OAC Grant
Application” be amended to read as follows:
“…in
the amount of $65,000 and that…..”
Moved by Elizabeth Plashkes
Seconded by Patrick Carr
That the Minutes of the Varley-McKay
Art Foundation of Markham Board Meeting held on May 17, 2010 be adopted, as
amended.
CARRIED
4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Leduc Painting - The Chair reported that the
application for the repatriation grant from Heritage
Eskimos on the Nascopie #1 - The Chair also reported that the
bid for the Varley painting, “Eskimos on the Nascopie #1” was not successful and
the painting sold for over $150,000, well in excess of the Varley Gallery’s
limit.
OAC Grant Application - The Chair advised that a Board
resolution of approval is required regarding an operating grant from the
Ontario Arts Council, such grant to be applied to the operating accounts of the
Gallery.
Moved by T. Pochmurski
Seconded by
That the Foundation approves of an
application being made on behalf of the
And that the Chair of the Foundation
is authorized to sign such application and to do any such other things as are
necessary in order for the application to be made.
CARRIED
5. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
The Chair reported that the Executive
Committee has been working on the Strategic Planning Process and the contract
with the facilitator Janis A. Barlow & Associates is in the process of
being finalized. The Vice-Chair, Ms.
Elizabeth Plashkes, will lead this initiative to review the mandate and mission
of both the Gallery and the Art Foundation.
The Board was advised that the meeting
originally scheduled for July 7th between the Board, Gallery staff
and the Town will have to be rescheduled, and Members will be advised of the
new date. The Director of the Gallery
will forward any pertinent background information.
It was noted that funding for a
portion of the costs for the Strategic Planning Process may be available from
the Town. In addition, a grant from the
Ontario Arts Council is expected to help alleviate the total cost.
6.
a) Building and
Mr. Bill Pickering, Chair, provided an
update on the status of the
The Board discussed related matters
including: the potential of higher construction costs this year; the status of
the adjacent church; the use of the church’s parking lot for construction
parking; clarification relating to project budget and financing; and any remaining
funds from the Wally Joyce donation not used in the project to be directed to
the Art Acquisition Fund. Mr. Pickering
was requested to provide project updates to the Members of the Board during the
summer.
Some concern was expressed that
alterations to the Gallery kitchen have not been considered in the design plans
to date. Changes include: the removal of
the wall, the relocation of the counter, improvement of electrical outlets, and
new storage space. It was agreed that the
Board should provide positive direction regarding this very important matter.
Moved by B. McCulloch
Seconded by P. Loveland
That the
Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Board reinforces their request to
include the Gallery kitchen renovations/alterations in the Gallery expansion
project.
CARRIED
Mr. Pickering was asked to take this
direction back to the Project Management Team.
b) Art Acquisition Committee
No report.
c) Art
Auction Committee
Mr. Patrick Carr, Chair, reported that
over $80,000 was raised from the Art Auction held on May 11th which
had been a huge success. Members
discussed suggestions for minor improvements to the silent auction for next
year, and commended the Chair and members of the Art Auction Committee for
their work.
d) Development
Committee
Ms. Elizabeth Plashkes, Chair, advised
that there was nothing new to report, however, did note that Mr. Patrick Carr
has indicted his interest in joining the Development Committee.
Following a brief discussion, it was
suggested that Varley staff proceed regarding the fund-raising training for Members
of the Board with the assistance of
Members were advised of an art
collector in the GTA area who has a large collection of Group of Seven
artwork. It was suggested that this
person be contacted to discuss potential partnership with the Varley
Gallery. There was some discussion
regarding the Gallery’s dependence on donations, and the Chair noted that a
list of contacts within the art community is currently being compiled for
future reference.
e) Volunteer
Committee
Copies of the report from the
Development Officer were distributed and Ms. Francesca Amato-Gauci reviewed the
activities for June, including: summer camp volunteer screening; the
development of a third annual fundraiser; Art Auction wrap-up; and the
Volunteer Appreciation Party held on June 1st. Information was also presented on the
workplan for July, including: Homes for the Holidays planning committee;
scheduling of fall art classes, volunteers, gallery docents and information
guides; updating of Foundation web site; and continued work on databases for
donors, volunteers, members and event participants.
Members discussed the plans currently
underway regarding the development of a 3rd fundraiser, and Terry
Pochmurski advised that he would be pleased to be part of the planning
committee.
The matter of the new Unionville
Shuttle Bus service, sponsored by the Unionville BIA, was raised. The Board discussed the feasibility of being
involved in this free daily shuttle between Union Station in
7. FINANCIAL REPORT
The Chair, on behalf of Drew Gerrard,
Treasurer, distributed copies of the Statement of Financial Position as of
March 31, 2010, in addition to the Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund
Balances Year to Date, March 31, 2010, and briefly reviewed the information
presented.
8. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Copies of the Director’s Report, dated
June 28, 2010 were distributed. Mr.
Sammy Lee provided details of the “fund raising event” being held August 26 and
27, 2010, associated with the Kai Chan exhibition which is in partnership with
the Textile Museum of Canada.
Ms Francine Perinet, Director of the
Gallery, reviewed the June report, including information on the following:
fundraising; grants; staff; sustainability; upcoming exhibitions; public
programs; and Gallery attendance. It was
noted that the new benches will be installed in the courtyard by mid-July.
The Director also noted that she is
working with staff respecting public art, and also a “public realm” project
which includes in part determining how art plays a role in the engagement of
the community. Other projects being
considered include: a mural at the
In response to a query of the Board,
the Director provided an update on the status of the hiring of the adjunct
curator and junior curator.
Members expressed concern regarding
the length of time it is taking to obtain permission from the Town to erect
signage outside of the Varley Gallery.
The Director advised that the banners have been approved, with changes,
however, approval is still required for the site signage, and the Unionville
BIA was requested to provide comments some time ago, but there has been no
response to date. Following more
discussion, the Chair advised that he would attend the next UBIA meeting, in
addition to Edward Mariani, and possibly Patrick Carr to reinforce the
Gallery’s proposal for signage and encourage a response. Mr. Mariani was asked to have the matter placed
on the UBIA’s agenda, and would also raise the matter at the merchants’ meeting prior to the UBIA meeting.
The Director will forward all
correspondence and information regarding this matter to the Chair prior to the
meeting with the UBIA.
9.
Board
Members and Staff Contact Listing – Copies of a membership contact
list were distributed and the Chair requested that all Members review the
information on file and advise the Committee Clerk of any changes prior to July
15th. A soft copy of the
finalized document will be emailed to all.
Doris
McCarthy – Celebration of 100th Birthday – Mr. Alan
Bryce advised that there will be an exhibition at the Latcham Gallery in
Stouffville, between July 24 and September 11, celebrating the 100th
birthday of Doris McCarthy. Members were
encouraged to sign a birthday card, prepared by Hallmark in honour of this
birthday.
10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Varley Board
is scheduled for:
Monday,
September 13, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at the Gallery
ADJOURNMENT
That the meeting
adjourned at 6:10 p.m.