A view of the new Howe Street Studios in Vancouver, which offers a second facility for Malaspina Printmakers and a number of smaller individual studios as well. An artwork on the second floor is by Germaine Koh, while the large Para Press on the main floor was donated to Malaspina by Michael de Courcy. Photo: Justin Muir.
The 10,800-square-foot Howe Street Studios opened December 6 in Vancouver. The purpose-built facility is at the base of a 41-storey condo tower at 1265 Howe Street. “It houses 16 artist spaces gathered around a central atrium, with Malaspina Printmakers on the ground floor, and individual studios on the second floor,” the Georgia Straight reports. (The Georgia Straight)
Illusuak Cultural Centre has opened its doors in Nain. “The Illusuak Cultural Centre houses five permanent exhibitions, representing each Nunatsiavut community, and contain clothing, tools, crafts and other artifacts,” reports Inuit Art Quarterly. (Inuit Art Quarterly)
The plan for a new art gallery at Keyano College in Fort McMurray is creating controversy. In late November, the “Wood Buffalo regional council approved Keyano College’s request to build a $16.8-million art gallery,” CBC reports. Soon after, a petition circulated, with some residents indicating the money could be better put toward mental health support in the region, and that the city didn’t have sufficient financial stability to make the commitment. (CBC Edmonton)
Artists in Newfoundland and Labrador call for changes at The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery. “Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador has sent a letter to Minister Bernard Davis, calling for the restoration of autonomy within the art gallery division at The Rooms, and the hiring of a designated gallery director,” the CBC reports. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
Eleven finalists have been announced for the Philip B. Lind Emerging Artist Prize. The finalists for this year’s prize, which is awarded annually to an emerging BC-based artist, are Rebecca Bair, Preston Buffalo, Lacie Burning, Rydel Cerezo, Krystle Coughlin, Jorden Blue Doody, Laura Gildner, Rina Lyshaug, Adiba Muzaffar, Xan Shian and Svava Tergesen. (Polygon Gallery)
Susan Fruchter is the new deputy director for museum operations and chief operating officer at the Royal Ontario Museum. She arrives at the ROM from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, where she was interim director and deputy director. (press release)
