Monthly Archives: October 2015

Congratulations! Congratulations!

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Say what we will about “art prizes” and their relevance, (but we won’t, just now…) it was exciting to read in today’s newspapers about two (2!) women from British Columbia receiving national awards.

Sandra Meigs, a professor at the University of Victoria, was awarded the Gershon Iskowitz Prize yesterday night at the Art Gallery of Ontario.  The $50,000 award is presented annually to an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to the visual arts in Canada. Earlier this year, Ms Meigs was also awarded a Governor General’s Award for Visual and Media Arts.

photo by Michelle Alger

Sandra Meigs photo by Michelle Alger

Ms Meigs’ latest show, All to All, just closed at the Susan Hobbs Gallery in Toronto.  As part of the Gershon Iskowitz Prize, Ms Meigs will present a solo show at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2017.

The 2015 winner of the Margolese National Design for Living Prize is Cornelia Hahn Oberlander.  The national jury called her landscape designs, “…breathtaking, poetic, unforgettable, charged with meaning, and above all, modernist.”

To experience Ms Hahn Oberlander’s work, you have a rich choice of interesting cities to visit.  Besides the New York Times Building in NYC, you could make a trip to Yellowknife, where she designed the Legislative Assembly Building site, or to Vancouver, where she has several projects, including the striking grounds  of the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia.

Papirmass (Pah*Purr*Mass)

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The Art Caravan was happy to visit the Vancouver Art/Book Fair this past weekend.  It is the only international art book fair in Canada.  It’s sponsored by Project Space, and was held at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

There were social events, talks, and display booths for the participants.  It was great fun to see familiar faces from Martha Street Studio and meet new people like the couple at Papirmass.

Papirmass–what a concept!  For an annual (affordable) subscription fee, they deliver original art to your mailbox. How fun is that?  That’s right: every month you receive an original print, accompanied by a story or poem.

Perhaps even better news –the artists and writers get paid, too!  Their mandate “is to support artists and writers by expanding the audience for their work, and to create a new generation of art collectors by creating art that is accessible to all.” 

Visit Papirmass’ website.  Become a ‘Follower.’  They really are irresistible.  (And wouldn’t a subscription — or two — make great gifts?)

Beauty: Form and Function

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As you may know, the Art Caravan has visited Seattle several times.  Only recently have we wandered into Laguna Vintage Pottery.  It’s a pity, really, as the shop is a visual feast.

Michael Lindsey, the owner, is an expert on American pottery.  He is a curator, lecturer, and resource reference in the field of American vintage pottery. Fortunately for us, he is happy to share his passion with others.

Who knew there was a booming ceramics industry in southern California (largely entered around Los Angeles) in the mid 20th century?  Who knew there were so much gorgeous dinnerware produced…..designs that have stood the test of time, and feel strangely contemporary? Take a look at Russell Wright’s American Modern line or the Metlox California Mobile ceramics.

Russell Wright

Melton California Mobile

Many of the lines caught my eye, but I was smitten by the work of Eva Zeisel. Her designs are stunning, and her life story is the stuff of books and TED talks.

The shop is a treasure trove, and a museum, all rolled up into one intriguing space.  I highly recommend a visit. (And don’t forget your credit card.)