Douglas Coupland's sketch for Group Portrait 1957, a public artwork at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, from original 1957 photograph by Peter Croydon / image © 2011 Lynda M. Shearer
This week, Governor General David Johnston announced 90 new appointments to the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours.
Several art-world figures are among those joining the order.
Douglas Coupland, the renowned author and visual artist who will be the subject of a survey at the Vancouver Art Gallery later this year, was named an officer of the order, while contemporary composer R. Murray Schafer—an influence on many Canadian sound artists—was named a companion of the order “for his groundbreaking work in acoustic ecology.”
Inuit artist Elisapee Ishulutaq, whose art was included in the 2012 Canadian Biennial, was recognized for her aesthetic achievements as well as her service as a role model and mentor in her Nunavut cultural community. Ishulutaq was named as a member of the order.
And it isn’t just artists and creators who are being recognized.
Mary Hofstetter, a leader who helped build and remodel the world-renowned Banff Centre through the 2000s as its president and CEO, was also honoured as a member of the order. During her tenure, Hofstetter created the Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation and the Shaw Amphitheatre, and she led the most successful fundraising effort in the centre’s history: the Campaign for the Banff Centre, which raised more than $128 million.
Donald Sobey, a collector and founder of the Sobey Art Award, was named a member “notably for founding one of Canada’s leading awards for young artists.” Ron Burnett has been president of Emily Carr University of Art and Design for 18 years and is currently leading a major expansion and renovation of the university, whose alumni include Geoffrey Farmer, Brian Jungen, Corin Sworn and Jessica Eaton. Burnett was also named a member of the order.
Sandra Rotman—a member of the board of directors at the Art Gallery of Ontario as well as a member of the Sotheby’s Canada International Advisory Board—was named a member of the order for “her leadership in support of health care and the arts, notably as a driver of initiatives in global and mental health.” Sara Vered, one of the founding partners of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation in 1997, helped create the foundation’s first endowment fund in support of the National Gallery. Vered has also been involved in supporting the Royal Ontario Museum and other causes, and she was also named a member of the order.
Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.
