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Annual Report2015

1 | RMG Annual Report 2015 RMG Annual Report 2015 | 2

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

Contents

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is generously assisted by the City of Oshawa, the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage, Museums Assistance Program. Additional support is provided by the Volunteers of the RMG, individual members and donors, local business and corporations.

Front Cover: Sarindar Dhaliwal, the green fairy storybook (detail), 2009, bookwork. Collection of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, purchased with the financial support of the Isabel McLaughlin Acquisition Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance Program, 2016. Photo by Toni Hafkenscheid.Top Right: Guests at RMG Exposed 2015. Photo by Grant Cole. Middle Right: Kids enjoy an art activity in the studio.Bottom Right: At the opening of Noel Harding’s Reverb at the GM Centre.

President’s Report 4

CEO’s Report 6

Curator’s Report 8

Impact by the Numbers 9

Digital Engagement 10

Exhibitions 11

Publications 12

Acquisitions 13

Education 17

Art Reach 18

Gallery A and Art Lab 19

Events 21

RMG Fridays 22

Volunteer Program 23

Membership and Support 25

Financial Report 27

Staff and Board of Trustees 31

Scott Helman performs at RMG Fridays. Photo by Linda Ryde.



President’s Report

2015 has been a year of change and challenge. We celebrated many milestones along the way as the RMG continues to flourish with an ever expanding group of loyal supporters.

The role of the Board is to set the priorities and policies of the organization, approve the annual budget and monitor its implementation, and ensure that the gallery continues to serve the needs of the local community. An important part of this

work was the search and appointment of our new CEO, Donna Raetsen-Kemp, in August 2015. Donna’s excellent leadership and people-first approach will lead the Gallery to new heights.

In 2015-16, the priorities of the RMG as set out in the Strategic Plan were to stabilize, strengthen and align staffing and resources, and continue to build capacity within the organization in preparation for the next phase of transformation. Donna, together with her extremely talented and creative staff team and dedicated volunteers, have certainly made significant strides in that direction. In a short time, they have reignited how people have connected with the RMG through the: • Organization of RMG Fridays featuring a spectacular range of artistic expression leading up to the

wildly successful fifth anniversary celebration in February 2016 • Presentation of several remarkable exhibitions of modern and contemporary Canadian art

throughout the year • Engagement of accomplished artists, emerging artists, aspiring artists, story tellers, and art lovers

at all levels in the RMG’s education and outreach programs • And finally, the provision of space in the beautifully renovated RMG for new collaborations,

experiences, and reflection, through new open studios and residencies. In addition, several important works were added to our collection. We are grateful to the donors of these works as we continue to honour and protect the legacy of the Painters Eleven and works of abstraction through our Permanent Collection.

Indeed, we owe a debt of gratitude to the RMG team for their exceptional devotion, resourcefulness and persistence throughout the fall when the HVAC system failed, taking all necessary measures to protect our national treasures until the mechanical issues were finally resolved.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Donna and her incredible team, the volunteers, and the RMG membership for their ongoing commitment and support for the RMG. I would also like to extend our appreciation to the City of Oshawa, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts for their critical support of the RMG. And, personally, I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, whose depth of commitment and generous giving of their time and talent to the Board’s work have been invaluable.

We can certainly look forward to exciting things to come.

Olivia PetriePresident, Board of Trustees

“ One of the most beautiful small galleries I have ever seen. Lovely architecture and great art.” - Deborah

Installation of Moving Image: Selections from the Permanent Collection. Photo by Brilynn Ferguson.



CEO’s Report

My first few months drove home the value of our Permanent Collection and the unique way our community relates to the RMG. Because of unexpected and unprecedented events, a lot of our time was consumed with protecting and preserving the collection.

New to the RMG, it gave me the rare opportunity to see how much our board, staff, stakeholders, friends and our supporters value and love the gallery:

• Our Curatorial team showed grit and determination, working tirelessly for months to protect the Permanent Collection as our Arthur Erickson designed building-within-a-building experienced persistent HVAC issues.

• The Canadian Conservation Institute recognized the significance of our Collection and provided us with around-the-clock guidance from their Senior Conservation Scientist, stationed in Rome. Our national treasure received international attention.

• The RMG education team dug deep, creating outstanding workshops, classes and community arts experiences that built momentum.

• We nimbly replaced a much-anticipated touring exhibition with a stellar retrospective from our Permanent Collection. The cancellation resulted from HVAC issues and the associated costs had significant impact on our financial position.

• City of Oshawa management worked with top-level engineers to find solutions to the complex issues that challenged operations and jeopardized our Collection.

While navigating the turbulence, we stared unflinchingly at our processes and made improvements. Throughout it all, volunteers rallied, more people visited and RMG Fridays soared.

While my own passion for the RMG brought me here, every hurdle and triumph we experienced underscored the significance of our gallery and the Permanent Collection and all it stands for.

I am excited about our future. Although there is much work to be done, opportunities abound thanks to the steps our Board and staff have taken. We are stronger as we move through 2016.

Onward and upward…together!

Donna Raetsen-KempChief Executive Office

“ This art gallery is an oasis of exquisite culture in the rough diamond that is Oshawa’s cultural scene. Not only does it contain a stunning permanent collection, it regularly features traveling shows of world calibre artists and amazing contemporary displays. It should not be missed if you find yourself in Durham region.” - Lionel

A family enjoys a studio activity at RMG Fridays. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve.



2015 was a year of important accessions to the RMG’s permanent collection including twelve early photographs by Senior Canadian artist Robert Bourdeau, paintings by Abstract Expressionist icon Rita Letendre, and figurative painter Tony Scherman, as well as work by Oshawa-raised contemporary artists Clinton Griffin and Scott Griffin. The RMG’s Acquisition Committee made, as a priority, the purchase of work by culturally diverse artists and to that end acquired two works on paper by Pakistani-born Tazeen Qayyum and a sculpture by India-born artist Sarindar Dhaliwal.

The collection travelled beyond Oshawa in various exhibitions throughout 2015. Emily Carr’s Wood Interior was included in From Forest to Sea: Emily Carr in British Columbia, while Mount Cheops from Rogers Pass by William Brymner was in Picturing the Americas which is travelling to Arizona and Brazil. Both exhibitions were organized and shown at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Torso and Plants by Pegi Nicol MacLeod was included in The Artist Herself, jointly organized by the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and the Art Gallery of Hamilton and shown in both Kingston and Hamilton, while the painting Sulpician Seminary by Sarah Robertson was part of the important travelling exhibition 1920 Modernism in Montreal: The Beaver Hall Group organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Art.

The exhibition year began with Running on Empty, curated by Heather Nicol and included the work of seven contemporary artists who relate their work to car culture. The retrospective Jock Macdonald: Evolving Form was the other important winter offering that introduced new research about this important Canadian modernist and Painters Eleven member.

Lora Moore-Kakaletris was the recipient of the Emerging Photography Award at the fall, 2014 RMG Exposed event and her solo exhibition of black and white photographs focused on what lies beneath water.

Three spring/summer exhibitions, Puppet Act: Manipulating the Voice, Boxing: The Sweet Science and David Rokeby: Very Nervous System showcased the work of contemporary and historic Canadian artists through video, painting, installation, sculpture and photography.

With the assistance of an Ontario Arts Council Culturally Diverse Curatorial Project grant, the RMG engaged emerging curator Ambereen Siddiqui. The resulting exhibition, Beyond Measure: Domesticating Distance, a collaboration with SAVAC (South Asian Visual Arts Centre), examined the “voids and brims of living in a diaspora” in the work of five artists from South Asia.

Regional artists continue to play an important part in the RMG’s exhibition programming. Closeups: Margaret Rodgers looked, through mixed-media work, at the background characters in photographs taken from the RMG’s Thomas Bouckley Collection of historic images. The Bouckley collection also brought historic images to focus in the era of digital photography with the exhibition Mindful Manipulation.

Linda JansmaSenior Curator

Curator’s Report

“ I love wandering in to see what’s new. I come over at lunch time as often as I need to see everything. The RMG is a real jewel and I feel lucky to have it so close and so accessible.” - Matthew

Visitors view a work by Ray Mead at RMG Fridays. Photo by Mat Calverley.



Impact by the Numbers Digital Engagement

Total Gallery Attendance

Highest daily attendance on April 10

9% increase

RMG Fridays April event

22,426

469

Visitor Feedback:52% of guests were new visitors

96% of guests said their visit met or exceeded expectations

89% of guests plan on visiting more museums or galleries in the near future because of their experience at the RMG

Program Growth:57% increase in OPG Second Sunday

participants

28% increase in Artist and Curatorial talks attendance

13% growth in RMG Fridays attendance

29% increase in volunteer hours

15% increase in gallery memberships

Overall Attendance Summary:

General Visitation

School Programming and Tours

Classes, Workshops and Other Tours

Outreach (Activities outside of the RMG)

Public Programming and Art EventsVolunteer Alex Ross takes a selfie with Tony Scherman’s Elvis (Blue

Highway series) (detail), 2000, encaustic on canvas. Gift of the artist. Beyond Measure artists and curator in the photo

booth during the opening reception at RMG Fridays

To expand our reach we have embraced multiple social channels to promote RMG programming, exhibitions, events and share our collection. In December 2015, we launched a new website at rmg.on.ca that includes a flexible and responsive design. The new website is entirely AODA and WC3 compliant and user experience is paramount. The website effectively shows our exhibitions, events, collection, information and provides additional artist resources.

RMG website “About” page showing desktop and mobile variations

Website Sessions

Facebook Followers

eNewsletter Subscribers

Twitter Followers

Instagram Followers

19% increase

40% increase

45% increase

24% increase

115% increase

46,054

3,159

1,252

4,359

876* All percentage increase calculations are based

on the difference between 2014 and 2015 data and show results as of December 31, 2015

Having fun with the Selfie Station at RMG FridaysKids participate in a studio activity at RMG Fridays. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve.



Exhibitions

Publications

Closeups: Margaret RodgersThomas Bouckley CollectionJanuary 23 – May 7, 2015

Running on EmptyJanuary 10 – April 26, 2015

Jock Macdonald: Evolving FormJanuary 31 – May 24, 2015

ARTiculate: Durham Catholic School BoardApril 30 – May 17, 2015

Water: Lora Moore-KakaletrisMay 2 – May 31, 2015

Spirit of Sport: Thomas Bouckley CollectionMay 9 – August 22, 2015

Puppet Act: Manipulating the VoiceMay 23 – September 1, 2015

Boxing: The Sweet ScienceMay 30 – September 13, 2015

A Visionary Journey: Works from the Collection of Terri LipmanJune 6 – October 4, 2015

Moving ImageSeptember 12, 2015 – August 20, 2016

Mindful ManipulationThomas Bouckley CollectionAugust 26 – January 24, 2016

Beyond Measure: Domesticating DistanceSeptember 5 – January 3, 2016

Oshawa Art Association’s 48th Annual Juried ExhibitionSeptember 17 – October 4, 2015

Ray Mead: Abstraction Through LineOctober 10, 2015 - January 24, 2016

Ray Mead: Living WithinNovember 21, 2015 - January 17, 2016

Travelling Exhibitions Hosted by the RMG

David Rokeby: Very Nervous SystemMay 30 – September, 2015

Collaborative Exhibitions Organized by the RMG

Reading the Talk

Museum LondonMay 9 – August 30, 2015

Art Gallery of PeterboroughSeptember 11 – November 1, 2015

MacLaren Art CentreNovember 28, 2015 – March 6, 2016

Ian Johnston: Reinvented Consumption

Access Gallery, VancouverJune 5 – July 18, 2015

Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins: The Collaborationists

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona, U.S.A.June 6 – September 13, 2015

Jock Macdonald: Evolving Form

Art Gallery of Greater VictoriaJune 12 – September 7, 2015

Toni Hamel: The lingering

Grimsby Public Art GalleryOctober 24 – December 6, 2015

Running on Empty: Kim Adams, John Massey, Kate Puxley, Shayne Ehman + Seth Scriver, Monica Tap, Elinor Whidden with Jean-Luc GodardEssay: Heather Nicol

Jock Macdonald: Evolving FormEssays: Ian Thom, Linda Jansma, Michelle Jacques and Anna Hudson

Boxing: The Sweet ScienceIntroduction: Sean O’MearaEssays: Linda Jansma and Stephen Brunt

Puppet Act: Manipulating the VoiceEssay: Linda Jansma

Beyond Measure: Domesticating DistanceIntroduction: Seema HollenbergEssay: Ambereen Siddiqui

Top: Installation of Beyond Measure: Domesticating Distance. Photo by Brilynn Ferguson.

Above: Terri Lipman and Linda Jansma at RMG Fridays July. Photo by Linda Ryde.

Bottom: Running on Empty artists Elinor Whidden and Monica Tap pose with curator Heather Nicol and Whidden’s

sculpture at RMG Fridays. Photo by Mat Calverley.



Acquisitions

Gifts

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Lake Superior, Ontario 1973silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19.6 x 24.4 cm (image); 35.4 x 48.6 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19. x 24.4 cm (image); 35.4 x 43.1 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board24.4 x 19.4 cm (image); 38.1 x 33.0 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board A/P19.2 x 24.5 cm (image); 32.9 x 38.0 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 33.0 x 38.1 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau



Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Untitled 1974silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19.2 x 24.6 cm (image); 33.6 x 38.5 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Untitled 1974silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19. x 24.2 cm (image); 33.7 x 38.5 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Utah 1976silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 33.0 x 38.1 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Yorkshire, England 1975silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 32.9 x 38.1 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933Untitled 1974silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board19.6 x 24.3 cm (image); 33.6 x 38.5 cm (mat board)Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Doherty, Pete, b. 1964The Docks Nightclub, Toronto, Ontario 2005/2015gelatin silver print on paper27.7 x 35.5 cm (paper); 20.4 x 30.7 cm (image)Gift of the artist

Doherty, Pete, b. 1964Sully’s Gym, Toronto, Ontario 2012/2015gelatin silver print on paper 27.7 x 35.5 cm (paper); 20.4 x 30.7 cm (image)Gift of the artist

Griffin, Clinton, Canadian, b. 1973Superpunch 2002-2010ink, acrylic, paper and oil on board42.9 x 60.5 cmGift of the artist

Griffin, Scott, Canadian, b. 1970Game 1997mixed media on masonite77.4 x 104.7 cmGift of Margaret Rodgers

Harlander Pottery (Theo and Susanne Harlander), Canadian, b. Germany 1920 (Theo d. pre 1992; Susanne d. 2005)Untitled (Garden of Eden)glazed ceramic and wood table70.5 x 55.3 x 134.0 cmGift of the Estate of Elizabeth Harlander

Harlander, Theo, Canadian b. Germany, 1920 d. pre 1992Untitled (cat) glazed ceramic24 x 15 x 20 cmGift of the Estate of Elizabeth Harlander

Housser, Yvonne McKague, Canadian, 1898-1996Northern Lake n.d.oil on panel33 x 40.8 cmGift of Jana Schuelke

Jones, Janet, Canadian b. 1957DaDa Delirio #4 2008-2009oil and acrylic on canvas239.3 x 135.0 cmGift of the artist

Robert Bourdeau, Lake Superior, Ontario 1973, silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board. Gift of Sean Bourdeau

Clinton Griffin, Superpunch, 2002-2010, ink, acrylic, paper and oil on board. Gift of the artist

Pete Doherty, The Docks Nightclub, Toronto, Ontario, 2005/2015, gelatin silver print on paper. Gift of the artist



Gifts (continued)

Letendre, Rita, Canadian b. 1928Onward 1966oil on canvas50.7 x 60.9 cmGift of the artist

Softly the Light Came 1984acrylic on canvas283.0 x 107.1 cmGift of the artist

Life and Passion, The Magic Circle 1998oil on canvas152. 4 x 204.0 cmGift of the artist

Palmer, Valerie, Canadian, b. 1950Perpetua 1993oil on canvas107 x 127 cmAnonymous Gift

Meadmore, Clement, b. Australia, 1929-2005Upstart II 1968/1987black polane painted aluminum, 2/27.65 x 5.4 x 7.5 mGift of Marla and Edward Schwartz

Scherman, Tony, Canadian, b. 1950Elvis (Blue Highway series) 2000encaustic on canvas152.6 x 152.1 cmGift of the artist

Savannah: Better Days (About 1865 series) 2006encaustic on canvas91.4 x 91.4 cmGift of the artist

Ophelia (insane) (The Cream of Denmark series) 2009encaustic on canvas113.6 x 122.1 cmGift of the artist

Polonius (The Cream of Denmark series) 2010encaustic on canvas76 x 76.5 cmGift of the artist

Purchases

Dhaliwal, Sarindar, b. India 1953*the green fairy storybook 2009Bookwork: wooden table, leather, paper125 x 187.5 x 87.5 cm

Harding, Noel, b. England 1945 d. Caledon 2016Reverb 2015stainless steel, light5.89 x 6.63 x 5.38 m.

Qayyum, Tazeen, Canadian, b. Pakistan, 1973Observe and Release 2009opaque watercolor on wasli (prepared archival paper) 26.5 x 23 cm

Seek Not Outside Yourself II 2015opaque water colour on hot press illustration board70 x 70 cm

Acquisitions (continued)

Tony Scherman, Polonius (The Cream of Denmark series) (detail), 2010, encaustic on canvas. Gift of the artist

“ Reverb reflects the enthusiasm of those who visit the GM Centre—they are the ones who trigger the light show in the sculpture... I feel privileged to have spent time with Noel Harding who died in May 2016. The Canadian art world has become a poorer place with his passing.” – Linda Jansma, Senior CuratorTop: Noel Harding, Reverb, 2015, stainless steel,

light. Purchased with the financial support of the RMG Acquisition Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts

Acquisition Assistance Program. Photo by Noel Harding.Above: Linda Jansma with Noel Harding* Board approved in 2015, acquired in 2016.



Education ArtReach

The RMG education department offers a wide range of classes, camps, school enrichment programs and specialized activities to learners of all ages and abilities. School enrichment programs, which are offered both at the Gallery and in schools across Durham Region, continue to be popular. These programs are designed to encourage students to look at and speak critically about Canadian art as well as explore their creativity and art making skills.

Highlights of 2015

In 2015, the department engaged 4,281 children and families through a wide range of programs including OPG Second Sundays, Imagination Station, art classes, day camps, Family Day, birthday parties, and other off-site community engagement activities on the occasion of Canada Day for instance, Durham’s Woodland Disco at Parkwood Estates, or the Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall.

We celebrated Doors Open and Culture Days in September, engaging local artists to create interactive art experiences for visitors, attracting 226 attendees.

The popularity of Art Fundamentals children’s classes rose and adult workshops saw enormous registration increases.

We conducted 164 school enrichment programs, and attendance reached 3,719 students.

Participation in our OPG Second Sunday program rose from 705 attendees in 2014 to 1,104 in 2015. Generously sponsored by the Ontario Power Generation, this program offers free, hands-on activities to the public, with October’s Halloween event and the Celebration of Colour in March being in particularly high demand.

“ We love your art classes and have brought friends out to OPG Sundays. The projects are interesting and fun to do, as well as inspiring and foster a “can do” attitude. Your community outreach programs are also great to see at events.” - Visitor

Top: A family at Culture Days. Above: Kids enjoying an art activity during March Break Camp.

The RMG ArtReach Program provides meaningful opportunities for community learning so that visitors of all backgrounds and abilities can participate and engage with art. From intensive hands-on workshops to community exhibitions, ArtReach is about the RMG strengthening and making the art community more accessible and inclusive. ArtReach initiatives focus on expressed needs, thereby creating lasting, positive impressions of art and art experiences.

Selected 2015 Programs

Imagination StationThe Imagination Station is an invaluable resting, art-making and play area for everyone, but primarily children and families. It drew 1,552 people in 2015.

Seniors Art Competition and ExhibitionThe Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition is developed in partnership with Oshawa Public Libraries and the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre. As the three organizations wish to address the growing need for programing for seniors, a collaborative response has been the creation of this annual event. Our audience in 2015 was 917 visitors, with 46 at the opening reception and awards ceremony.

Art For AllThis partnership project, with the support of the Rotary Club of Oshawa, supported 251 students in under-served schools in downtown Oshawa. Participating students were provided free school enrichment programs and bus bursaries.

ScholarshipsThe RMG awards two prizes to students studying at Durham College. Samra Asif, a second year student, was awarded the RMG Graphic Design award and Shaun Gray, a third year fine art student, was awarded the RMG Art Award.

Above: 2015 Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition winners: Ken Norris, Bronze, Marion Beharrell, Silver, Angela Hennessey, Gold. Photo

courtesy of the Oshawa Public Libraries. Middle: Participants enjoying a workshop with Beyond Measure artist Tazeen Qayyum. Bottom: A child

painting during Summer Art Camp.



Gallery A and Art Lab Art Lab Artist Profile

This fledgling residency and exhibition opportunity continues to flourish. It is programmed by a competitive process that prioritizes regional and underrepresented artists.

In 2015, we were able to host artists Pete Smith, Toni Hamel, Ruth Greenlaw, Eric Rosser, Ramune Luminaire, Judith Mason, Lynne McIlvride, Monique Ra Brent, Joe and Matt Catalano, and Michael Drolet. Group shows included Durham College Fine Art Graduates, Motor City Stories featuring Karoline Baker, Dani Crosby, Joaquin Manay, and Phillip Nutall, and local fibre artists under the direction of Marilyn Whitbread including Rosemary Oliver, Cathy Brownson, and Rita Benson.

Professional Development for Artists

New programming provides the opportunity for artists to share their creative and professional expertise in custom-designed, one-off workshops.

Classes that impart specialized painting techniques as well as grant-writing workshops, and our Documentation Station (a free opportunity for artists to have their work professionally photographed) are very quickly gaining momentum. Further, Gallery A and Art Lab artists are encouraged to seek peer-to-peer support and feedback.

Top Right: At the opening of Pete Smith: Postscript. Top Middle: Mat and Joe Catalano celebrate their opening. Photo by Mat Calverley.

Bottom Middle: Lynne McIlvride’s installation. Bottom Right: A student gives a tour of his work at the Durham College

Fine Art Thesis Show. Left: A participant working at the Documentation Station workshop.

Michael Drolet

Michael Drolet is an emerging artist from Whitby, who recently completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at the University of Ottawa. He was an Art Lab resident and exhibited in Gallery A.

Top Right: Michael Drolet working in the Art LabAbove: Equipoise exhibition in Gallery A by Michael Drolet. Photo by Mat Calverley

“ What first got me interested in the residency was the studio space that was available to work. The lab is quite large which for my work is essential... The Gallery A space in conjunction with the Art Lab also provides a solid foundation for an artist to show their work to the public, which as an emerging artist is invaluable... I encourage artists of all disciplines to apply, accept the rules and guidelines of the gallery, and push your creative practice further in new ways.” - Michael Drolet, Art Lab Artist in Residence



Art Events RMG Fridays

Our 2015 events were rich with collaborative projects, arts infused cultural experiences, and engaging contemporary experiences. Designed to suit a range of visitors from academics to those only casually interested in art, RMG events drive our attendance, help us fundraise and create a sense of community.

Art Talks and Symposia

In 2015, 361 people attended gallery talks, a 28% increase from the previous year. Speakers included artists Coral Short, Lora Moore-Kakaletris, Margaret Rodgers, Pete Smith, Toni Hamel, Ruth Greenlaw, Eric Rosser, Lynne McIlvride, Monique Ra Brent, Mike Drolet and Marilyn Whitbread. There was also a performance by artist Diana Lopez Soto during the opening reception for Puppet Act. Guest speakers included Sean O’Meara, former amateur boxer and sports organizer and Pan Am Chair. Curator’s talks were done by Heather Nicol, Linda Jansma, Sonya Jones, Terri Lipman and Ambereen Siddiqui.

We held two successful symposia associated with exhibitions of the same name – Jock Macdonald and Beyond Measure. Respectively 54 and 28 visitors attended.

RMG Exposed

Our annual juried photography competition and live auction event was themed ‘1970’s Disco Glam.’ Guests enjoyed the funky sounds of Yasgur’s Farm as they bid in the live and silent auctions. In collaboration with Durham College, Ed Video and Posterjack, we presented SPIN, an art installation by Katrina Jennifer Bedford. The top prize of the night, an RMG Solo Exhibition Project sponsored by CIBC Wood Gundy, was awarded to artist Lindsay Lauckner Gundlock for her photograph Wind on the Ferry.

Top: Guests on a tour of the exhibition Jock Macdonald: Evolving Form. Middle: Artist panel for Beyond Measure Symposium.

Below: Auctioneer Steven Ranger commanding the room at RMG Exposed. Photo by Grant Cole.

Bottom: Funk band Yasgur’s Farm entertaining at RMG Exposed. Photo by Grant Cole.

Who Attends RMG Fridays?

Under 18

18-24

25-35

35+

The local hub for art, music, and film, in 2015 RMG Fridays welcomed 2,593 guests, brought together 38 community partners, 25 bands and had 15 exhibition tours. In 2015, we launched our Friday Film Features program to provide exposure to emerging, experimental and professional filmmakers with short film screenings.

RMG Fridays celebrated four years of inception and monthly musical performances did not disappoint with new and established talent. Exhibition openings, pop up experiences and studio activities diversified our audience.

Our desire to continually set the bar higher has led us to improve on the evening. We’ve brought the focus back home to include our community. A fantastic example was our “Back to School” event. By including music from The Bird Loft, a local school of voice paired with dance performances, and a film screening from the Durham School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, we saw our numbers and participation skyrocket.

Partnerships are instrumental to the success of the event. Community Partners for 2015 included: the City of Oshawa, UOIT, Durham College, Trent University, Girls Inc. Durham, Oshawa Youth Council, Pan Am Games, Oshawa Public Library, Durham Festival, Durham School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance (DSBCD), The Bird Loft School of Voice, Culture Counts, and Feed the Need Durham. RMG Fridays received support from DJ Lynz, JMS Audio and Empty Cup Media.

Top: Birds of Bellwoods perform at RMG Fridays. Photo by Mat Calverley. Middle: Young guests enjoying art. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve.

Bottom: A studio activity. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve.

“ I recently attended my first RMG Friday and was very impressed. I look forward to attending many more in the future with my family.” - Darryl



The RMG values the importance of volunteerism and makes it a priority to ensure all volunteers have an enriching and satisfying experience as they help to fulfil the needs of the gallery. We offer student placements so students can build essential skills in their related area of study. Volunteers assist with programming, event and gallery support. In 2015, volunteers gave 3,640 hours to the RMG, with 26% of those hours from youth volunteers. That’s roughly the equivalent of two full-time staff over one year!

Volunteer Symposium

With our professional development funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation we hosted a Volunteer Youth Leaders Symposium for 42 volunteer managers from across Durham Region. The event featured keynote speaker Michael Prosserman, the Executive Director of UNITY Charity. A panel discussion followed with volunteer leaders: Brianne Blackman, AIDS committee of Durham, Melissa Haslam, Girls Inc. Durham, Norah O’Donnell, the RMG and Lisa Terech, the Oshawa Community Museum. Group workshops included Youth Engagement 101 with The Students Commission of Canada with Sharif Mahdy and Program Evaluation with Darren O’Donnell, Artistic & Research Director of Mammalia. 95% of participants stated the symposium fulfilled expectations.

Volunteer Program

“ The RMG continues to stimulate me: as a Teacher for 45 years and Volunteer Docent 15 years, I want to continue offering and sharing my skills by touring all ages.” - Wayne McLeod, RMG Volunteer

“ Volunteering at the RMG has been wonderful. I have had the opportunity to be creative in so many different forms, one of which has been learning videography. Volunteers are able to help in many areas of the gallery, and I have had the opportunity to work in the office, the gift shop, the studio, and most notably, do various tasks at RMG Fridays. I have volunteered at almost every single RMG Fridays since I have been at the gallery. I enjoy it so much as every shift is a brand new experience where I am able to interact with friendly staff, volunteers, and the public. Volunteering at the gallery has impacted my path to university and beyond by providing new challenges and allowing me to grow as a creative and independent individual. I will be heading off to Ryerson University for a Bachelor of Interior Design in 2016, and the past year and a few months at the gallery has allowed me to develop extremely beneficial skills, including leadership and artistic that I will use in years to come. Thanks RMG for providing a unique environment to volunteer in!” - Swetha Srikanth, Co-Op Student,

Artist and RMG VolunteerTop: Volunteers Natalie and Alex at RMG Exposed. Photo by Grant Cole. Above: Volunteer Illianna prepares the RMG Fridays Board.

Bottom: A workshop at the volunteer Youth Leaders Symposium.

Volunteer Profile

Swetha Srikanth

Swetha Srikanth is a graduating grade 11 student at O’Neill C.V. I. and over the summer of 2015 she completed a co-op placement with the RMG. Swetha continued to volunteer with the gallery after her placement, helping at almost every RMG Friday!

Top: Volunteers Swetha and Amelia filming an RMG Fridays event. Above: Volunteers Raechel, Swetha, Heather, Alessandra and Christine

helping out at the Volunteer Youth Leaders Symposium.



Membership and Support

Financial Donors and Corporate SponsorsCIBC Wood GundyCIBC World MarketsCity of OshawaConcrete Contemporary Auctions and ProjectsContinental Currency ExchangeCRCSDr. Lawrence HoffmanDurham CollegeHarex Inc.ICL Door ServiceIPM Independent Project ManagersIrene SeetnerJ. Donohue-BordeauJohn & Lisa WeissMallory Morris-Sartz & John SartzNancy MillerNick Swerdfeger Architects Inc.Ontario Power GenerationOntario Trillium FoundationOshawa Centre HoldingsRBC FoundationSnapd OshawaTrent UniversityUOIT

Memorial DonationBetty Pulsifer

Gifts in KindNatalie AustinKatrina Jennifer BedfordLaura BermanDawn BrooksDaniel BrunoGary ChappleLiam CooLaurie Crew John DavidsonPete DohertyJoe DonohueCarolyn Doucette

Brilynn FergusonJeff GardnerAvi CohenGary GreenwoodClinton GriffinAJ GroenEstate of Elizabeth HarlanderSara HeinonenBill HornbostelJanet JonesGlen Lee JonesKatherine KeatesChad C. KirvanChristine Lucy LatimerJordan LoderLindsay Lauckner GundlockIngrid MayrhoferTim McGhieTristan MitchellLora Moore-KakaletrisLeif PetersenSarah Sands PhillipsSamantha PierreEstate of Anne RedpathLola Reid AllinTom RidoutMargaret RodgersJana SchuelkeCourtney SkoviraOliver SteinsJordyn StewartJohn Edwin SweetmanPaul Teolis TabularMichele TarasJessica ThalmannJeremy WaudJen YeamanDanna YuhasArtbarrageConcrete Contemporary Auctions and ProjectsEd VideoEmpty Cup MediaGervais Party & Tent RentalsHuff EstatesJMS Audio

KKP PickeringLa Quinta Inn & SuitesLMA Communications Inc.Lynz & CompanyMazar Fox Art ConsultingMedia SignPhotostarPilar’s CateringPoster JackRobert Aldsworths Photo WorldSnapd OshawaStephen Bulger GalleryWaddingtonsYasgurs Farm

Contributing Members

Original LifeMr. & Mrs. E. BassettMr. & Mrs. E.F. BastedoMrs. Joan ChalmersMiss C.G.C. ChristieMr. & Mrs. L.S. CollacuttMrs. Gordon D. ConantDr. & Mrs. Gordon HareMiss Florence HartMrs. Philip B. JacksonMr. & Mrs. C.C. McGibbonDr. & Mrs. G.A. RundleMr. & Mrs. Sydney ShoychetLord Kenneth ThomsonDr. & Mrs. Abraham WaisglassDr. & Mrs. B.M. Woods

Major FriendMs. Peggy WilsonDr. & Mrs. Gordon Woodall

Honorary LifeMrs. Sylvia ArmstrongMr. Thomas BouckleyMrs. Alice BradfordMr. Jack BushMr. Oscar CahénMr. & Mrs. CraigheadMrs. Jane DixonMrs. Hortense GordonDr. & Mrs. G.E. HareMiss Florence HartMrs. Greta HastingsMr. Tom HodgsonMrs. Kay HopkinsMiss Ada KellyMrs. Trudi LancasterMs. Alexandra LukeMr. Jock MacdonaldMr. & Mrs. E.R.S. McLaughlinMiss Isabel McLaughlinMr. Ray MeadMr. Kazuo NakamuraMr. & Mrs. W.S. NurseMrs. Lillian PincombeMr. Herm PincombeMr. William RonaldDr. & Mrs. J. Murray SpeirsMr. Harold TownMr. & Mrs. P. WaxerMr. Walter Yarwood

FoundersMr. & Mrs. R.G. AllenMr. & Mrs. David BrazierMr. & Mrs. W. CaldwellMr. & Mrs. Peter CarswellMr. Carl S. ClarkMr. & Mrs. William EarleMr. & Mrs. Frank EggertDr. M. EggertMr. & Mrs. D. FergusonMiss Florence HartMrs. L. Barbara HartMr. Gary HuntMrs. Marilyn KingMr. & Mrs. James Kraemer

Mr. & Mrs. H. LeeMrs. D. LittlefieldMr. & Mrs. Robin MackenzieMr. & Mrs. J. MitchellProf. & Mrs. Charles T. MoreyMr. & Mrs. Brian & June MuddDr. & Mrs. L.W. OxenhamRev. & Mrs. W. PattersonMr. William RonaldMrs. Madeleine RoseMr. & Mrs. Jack SageMr. & Mrs. H.R. SchellMrs. Ruth SedgewickDr. & Mrs. Murray SpeirsMr. & Mrs. Gerald SquiresMr. & Mrs. R.H. StaceyMrs. Gladys StanleyMrs. Helen TaylorMr. & Mrs. A. TocherMr. Harold TownMr. & Mrs. Peter VangilsMr. & Mrs. Percy WaxerMrs. Lisa WeissMr. & Mrs. W.J. WellsMrs. Elizabeth WolfeMrs. Evelyn WrightMr. Walter Yarwood

Permanent Individual BenefactorsMiss. Elizabeth Aleen AkedMr. R. Brian AyerMr. Thomas BouckleyDr. Zoltan FeketeMr. & Mrs. N.G. LundMrs. Joanne MazzoleniMiss Isabel McLaughlinMrs. Molly K. PollockDr. & Mrs. G. Woodall

Director EmeritaMrs. Joan Murray

LifeDr. Zoltan FeketeMr. John Galbraith

Miss Florence HartMr. Ernie HerzigMr. Sydney HopkinsMr. Terrence KellyMrs. Joanne MazzoleniDr. & Mrs. T.C. MoncheskyDr. Elizabeth L. SimmonsMrs. Miriam SquiresMiss May Stone

Annual Contributing MemberIan BriggsJ. Doris CherkasRobert DesjardinsGordon DowsleyAnn GalbraithGeorge & Sally HillisRonald & Melanie KitchenRonald & Helen LambertArthur & Judy LovellGordon MacfarlaneLois McDonaldAlexandra MorinDavid & Suzanne PeacockTess PierceFrank PolitanoStephen & Maryke RowlandsMr. & Mrs. Fred SchaefferPhil & Barb Wooding

Corporate MembershipsAndrew FoundationHarex Inc.King West Landscape ContractingLMA Communications Inc.Mike McRae ContractingPeacock LumberPMB Professional Mortgage Brokers

And 350+ other wonderful individual and family members!



Financial Summary

An RMG Fridays performance. Photo by Mat Calverley.

Shannon leads an activity for Culture Days.

“ We hosted our entire wedding at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. It was a nice opportunity for the guests to be able to explore the gallery during the reception and enjoy the beautiful art work. ” - Melody

A couple on their wedding day. Photo by Raph Nogal Photography. Artwork: Don Maynard, Flock, 2009, aluminum, Gift of the artist, 2010.

The complete set of audited financial statements is available upon request.

“ In 2015 the gallery experienced an operating loss of approximately $127,000 in the General Fund, primarily due to some unanticipated one-time expenses. Meanwhile, the Endowment Fund experienced unrealized losses of approximately $485,000, which was a result of poor market conditions in the year. As of the end of the fiscal year, the accumulated deficit in the General Fund was $213,309. Subsequent to year end, management has developed a five year deficit reduction plan to eliminate the deficit while maintaining the integrity of the gallery’s operations.”

- Vince Bulbrook, Treasurer, RMG Board of Trustees



The Robert McLaughlin Gallery72 Queen StreetCivic CentreOshawa, OntarioL1H [email protected]

Ready for Your VisitMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday10 am - 5 pmThursday10 am - 9 pmSaturday 10 am - 4 pmSunday12 pm - 4 pm

Office HoursMonday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm

Printed by KKP Pickering.

Your Art GalleryStaff (as of December 31, 2015) Board of Trustees

Ryan and family at RMG Fridays. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve.

Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Chief Executive Officer (August – December)

Administration and CommunicationsOlinda Casimiro, Director of Finance & Administration Stephen Dick, Manager, Protection ServicesSam Mogelonsky, Manager of Marketing and CommunicationsCarla Sinclair, Manager of Community and Volunteer DevelopmentElsy Gould, Membership Co-ordinatorCheryl-Ann Zamulinski, Event Co-ordinator & Venue Rentals

Exhibitions and CollectionsLinda Jansma, Senior CuratorSonya Jones, Associate Curator and Curator of the Thomas Bouckley Collection Jason Dankel, Preparator

EducationLeslie Menagh, Manager of Public Programs and ArtReach Jennifer Treleaven, Education Co-ordinator Parvathi Bhat Giliyal, Gallery Educator

Board ExecutivePresident, Olivia PetriePast President, Christine Castle Vice President, Christian Nikiforuk Treasurer, Vince Bulbrook Secretary, Bruce Watson

Board of TrusteesShaun DowneyJennifer Humphries Denis O’ConnellPramilla RamdahaniElaine Regas Gord SedgewickNick Swerdfeger

Council RepresentativeCouncillor Bob Chapman

Due to the terms of our Board of Trustees, each year we say goodbye to a few who have led us admirably: • Richard Mazar • Katrina Morin • Thomas Garcia • Malcolm McTaggart • Iris Nowell

Curator Heather Nicol leads a tour of Running On EmptyDonna Raetsen-Kemp at RMG Exposed 2015

2015 - rmg.on.carmg.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/annual-report-2015-set-may… · have...

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