movie day: Victor Cicansky – The Gardener’s Universe

by | Jun 26, 2019 | movie day

The MacKenzie Art Gallery was pleased to host, as part of the weekend opening events for Victor Cicansky: The Gardener’s Universe, a panel discussion on Regina artist Victor Cicansky. Cicansky’s artistic universe is firmly rooted in place and in his garden. For over fifty years, ideas for sculptures in ceramics and bronze have grown out of his intimate relationship with gardens, plants and trees. His approach embraces both the immigrant knowledge of his Romanian-Canadian family and more contemporary concerns around urban ecology and environmental sustainability. Rooted in local realities, his work speaks to the wider world of the joys and trials of supporting life in an urban prairie space. Each panelist was invited to present a 15 minute version of their essay to be included in the forthcoming exhibition catalogue. The presentations cover Cicansky’s early days as a student of Jack Sures (University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus) and Robert Arneson (University of California, Davis), his Funk and Nut-inspired sculptural ceramics, his monumental ceramic murals, his later bronze furniture and his garden. The panel presentations are now available on the gallery’s YouTube channel. Below is the order of the presentations.

VICTOR CICANSKY AND THE GARDENER’S UNIVERSE: A PANEL DISCUSSION

Saturday, June 8, 2019 – 1:00–3:30 pm

Shumiatcher Theatre, MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Welcome – John Hampton, Director of Programs, MacKenzie Art Gallery

Introduction – Timothy Long and Julia Krueger

 

PART 1 – “Entering the Garden Universe”

An exploration of how Victor Cicansky’s garden imagery engages art, history, community, and environment.

Trevor Herriot – Writer, Regina

“This Garden Universe”

Timothy Long – Head Curator, MacKenzie Art Gallery

“The Whole Earth Romanian Icon”

RESPONSE – a conversation with Victor Cicansky, Trevor Herriot and Timothy Long + questions from the audience

 

PART 2 – “Troubling Paradise”

An appraisal of how Victor Cicansky has challenged and expanded the definitions of “folk,” “craft,” and “prairie” through his murals, furniture and sculpture.

Susan Surette – Art Historian, Concordia University, Montreal

“Victor Cicansky’s Fine Folk”

Julia Krueger – Craft Historian, University of Western Ontario, London

“Radioactive Fossils and Virtual Gardens: Victor Cicansky’s Craft Redux”

Alison Calder – Poet and Professor, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg

“Victor Cicansky’s Post-Prairie Imaginings”

RESPONSE – a conversation with Victor Cicansky, Susan Surette, Julia Krueger and Alison Calder + questions from the audience

job posting: Executive Director @ Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery

by | Feb 9, 2018 | job posting

 

Additional Information
Position Description

2017 Annual Report

2018-2021 Strategic Plan Executive Summary

Application Deadline: February 28, 2018

Start Date: August 1, 2018

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery seeks a dynamic, inspiring Executive Director to lead this contemporary ceramic and glass gallery as it grows and develops new audiences with greater outreach into the community, and onto the national and the international stage. The Executive Director will work to fulfil the Gallery’s artistic vision, tell its story, advocate publicly for the Gallery and lead development efforts to support the expansion of its programs and to ensure the Gallery’s financial stability.

The Executive Director is responsible for leading and mentoring a dedicated team of staff professionals, and for building strong collaborative relationships with other galleries and community partners, locally and in a wider context. The Executive Director will effectively manage the operation of the Gallery, adhere to Board policy and carry out its strategic vision. The Executive Director will report to a committed and engaged Board of Directors.

ABOUT THE GALLERY

With an emphasis on Canadian artists, the Gallery brings exhibitions to the public that are grounded in craft processes, engaged in contemporary experimentation and meaningful to diverse audiences. By exhibiting and collecting contemporary works in ceramics and glass, the Gallery inspires dialogue, critical discourse and new ways of thinking. The Gallery is committed to supporting artists at all stages of their career, from emerging to established, and actively seeks to feature artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. The Gallery’s media specificity is its distinguishing characteristic and greatest strength. Through exhibitions that address issues relevant to our times and intriguing public programs that engage, educate and inspire, we are accessible to all. The Gallery Shop, a fine-craft gallery in its own right, is an integral part of the Gallery, featuring exclusively Canadian artists from across the country. Having adopted a national mandate in the early stages of its organizational development, the Gallery continues to develop its reputation as a national centre of research, scholarship and artistic excellence.

GALLERY BACKGROUND

The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery opened in 1993 in a purpose-built, award-winning building designed to showcase contemporary Canadian ceramic and glass art. Now in its 25th year, it has recently undergone a $1.3 million renovation to bring the Gallery to a new standard of excellence. The Gallery is supported by the City of Waterloo, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts, along with corporate, foundation and individual funders.

LOCATED IN WATERLOO REGION

The Gallery is located in Waterloo Region, an area of entrepreneurship, collaboration, fresh ideas, innovation, world-class technology, arts activity, economic initiatives and educational excellence on a world-class scale. Waterloo is one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada.

KEY FUNCTIONS

The successful Executive Director will raise the profile of the Gallery locally, nationally and internationally; lead its artistic vision; implement its recently completed Strategic Plan; lead its next level development and fund-raising; lead connections with other galleries; lead the Gallery to more diverse audiences; communicate the Gallery mandate; advocate for the Gallery; incorporate a digital strategy into the Gallery’s offering; and manage all administrative and functional assets of the Gallery.

REQUIREMENTS

  • 5-10 years experience as a senior manager in an visual arts institution
  • advanced degree in arts/arts administration or equivalent education or experience
  • in-depth knowledge of contemporary Canadian and international art
  • in-depth knowledge of best practices for Gallery management
  • strong leadership and mentorship skills and the ability to lead a team
  • the ability to forge innovative collaborations with other galleries and community partners
  • creativity and ability to develop programming to reach a wider, more diverse audience and engage with them in a meaningful way
  • demonstrated experience in securing major gifts and stewarding donor relationships
  • an optimistic problem-solver

Interested applicants are invited to submit, in confidence, a letter of application, and a detailed résumé outlining their qualifications for this position, along with names, titles, and contact information for their three professional references.

Canadians, permanent residents, and/or foreign nationals with a valid work permit will be given priority consideration. The Gallery is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from culturally diverse persons, Indigenous persons, Deaf persons and persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Applications should be submitted electronically in a single PDF file to the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery Executive Director Search Committee at: [email protected]

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this position but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements of the position.

www.theclayandglass.ca/about-the-gallery/jobs/

Help Save Inspirations Studios

by | Oct 11, 2017 | Uncategorized

 

From their funding page: “We are heartbroken to share that Inspirations Studio is facing imminent closure.  For 23 years, the ceramics-based program has supported hundreds of low-income women who have been impacted by poverty, homelessness, addiction, trauma, and mental health issues.

You can learn more about the program here.
As we look for stable funding and a new partner, we are asking for public donations to keep the program alive.  Our target of 60K will sustain the program through 2018, in conjunction with funds we are anticipating from the City of Toronto and those received already from an anonymous donor.  Together this support will secure studio rent, bills, materials, and skeleton staff so the current members can sustain their essential income, continue to access a safe space to be creative, and maintain a sense of meaning and purpose.  As one member told us, “Inspirations saved my life.”
Although we aim to reach our target and sustain the Studio for one year while we find long-term funds, any amount raised will help extend the program beyond 2017 and support the participants.  Any and all donations represent a success and will benefit the women. “
Visit the organizations website here: https://inspirationsstudio.org/inspirations-studio/
Article about the Studio in the Star.

job posting: Educational Art Technician, Ceramics

by | Sep 11, 2017 | job posting

Do you believe in the power of ideas, possibility, and in building community? ACAD is looking for an innovative Educational Art Technician, Ceramics who is excited to contribute to a creative learning environment and provide support to our faculty and guidance to our students in Ceramics.

This position normally has an annual recurring start of late August to end of May and regular hours of work are 35 hours per week.

Why ACAD?

A leading centre of education and research since 1926, ACAD energizes art and design in Canada and internationally. We engage the world, create possibilities, and connect with brilliant minds in all corners of the globe. Above all, we are passionate about art and design and the people who create it. Calgary is our home base – a vibrant, cosmopolitan urban centre, a safe and friendly atmosphere, and outstanding potential for adventure in nearby mountain parks. We hope you will join us at ACAD (where creativity matters).

About the School of Craft + Emerging Media, Ceramics Program

In the Ceramics program students explore the role of function, sculptural approaches, emerging technologies, historical precedents, and contemporary practice within a comprehensive, studio-based and theoretical program of study.

>>Click here to find out more about SCEM, Ceramics Program

The Opportunity

(Competition #1718-SE-AP-06)

Reporting to the Manager, Academic Administration and accountable to the Chair of the School of Craft + Emerging Media and working with the Lead Educational Art Technician, the incumbent provides general supervision and oversight of the facility, equipment, processes and materials to ensure safe and effective instructional support during class time and ensures standard operating practices are followed to support student studio practice during general facility access hours.

Primary duties/responsibilities include:

  • Conducts demonstrations, training and orientation for faculty, students and staff on standard operating practices for the uses of equipment, processes and materials handling, including daily clean-up and equipment/materials storage
  • Advises students with respect to program-related technology, equipment, processes and materials to meet curricular objectives; provides guidance and support for the installation of student work
  • Works in consultation with the Health and Safety Officer and other Educational Art Technicians to maintain current and consistent documentation of hazard assessments and standard operating practices
  • Prepares and maintains program spaces including classrooms, studios, workshops and monitors facility users to ensure appropriate health and safety practices are followed
  • Maintains  materials and equipment inventory, performs preventative maintenance and repair as necessary

The successful candidate will have:

  • A Four (4) Year Diploma or Baccalaureate Degree in fine art with a relevant subject area specialization
  • A Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ experience as a practicing artist or technician, with knowledge of relevant studio practices and experience in training students
  • A Current Standard First Aid certification and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS training). Proficiency with ceramic technologies, including 3D modelling, printing and decal printing is preferred
  • Demonstrated proficiency with electric and gas kin operation (reduction, oxidation and soda), hand building and wheel techniques, glaze technology, studio and equipment maintenance, clay reconditioning, slip casting and mold making
  • Demonstrated experience with wood and metal fabrication
  • Demonstrated experience with art installation and preparatory techniques
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to provide constructive support, guidance and mentorship to students, faculty and staff
  • Demonstrated ability to promote home studio etiquette, best practice and conflict management
  • Excellent organization and planning skills, meeting multiple deadlines and commitments
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite applications.
  • Comfortable and able to work safely at heights

Working Conditions

  • Works in a studio environment which includes contact with hazardous equipment and materials. Heavy lifting of up to 50lbs is required regularly. Personal protective equipment is required for operation of certain equipment and processes. Standing and/or sitting for lengthy periods. Occasionally works in an office environment.

As a member of the AUPE bargaining unit (Local 071/006), this regular recurring position falls under a classification 7 (seven). The starting annual salary is $59,244 – 63,468 dependent upon skills, education and experience, and is pro-rated based on actual hours worked.

Full details here.