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“GBACA
CELEBRATES 20 YEARS”
The Georgian Bay Association for Creative Arts, until recently known as
the
Georgian Bay Arts & Crafts Association, (GBACA) had its start as a
‘child’ of the Blue Mountain School of Landscape Painting (www.bluemountainchamber.ca/artschool)
which since 1979 has operated from Thornbury as a summer time
activity.
In 1984
the Blue Mountain School of Landscape Painting realized a need for
outreach to a variety of local artists whose members could function
on a year round basis. It struck a small committee comprised of
Geraldine Balint (the founding President of GBACA and now deceased),
and Joan Bichan, later joined by Marion Brand and Willi Wildman
(in charge of all Arts Programs from that point). Through the efforts
of these four, the Georgian Bay Arts & Crafts Association was
formed in 1986. Charter members still active in GBACA are: Molly
Bartram, Joan Bichan, Marion Brand, Ann Davidson, Shirley Farmer,
Judy Perry, Dale Sivell, Willi Wildman and Joyce Zukerman. Daphne
Pearce followed in 1988, David Oates in 1991, Ann Logan and David
and Jane Savage in 1993. Many of the above and their husbands
were tireless volunteers plus others such as David McCartney and
Ernie Frost, who are no longer members, were the mainstay over the
early years. Diane Christie was volunteer treasurer for many
years. She wanted to support us in this way. Diane was one
of a few members of our club who was not an artist. (We apologize
for any missed names, please contact us.)
The
goals and objectives of this group were to:
·
Establish exhibition space for the artistic community.
·
Share information and establish opportunities for
mutual promotion.
·
Create workshops and other ongoing learning
opportunities.
·
Promote friendships within the artist / artisan
community.
It was
a small group in the beginning; the minutes of the founding meeting
mention a request for volunteers to bring cookies to the next meeting
and note that a submission from Wally Anderson had been selected
as the logo for the group. (the weave with paint brushes). It is
noted by Dale Sivell that she was the first paying member of a $5.00
fee to join GBACA. Around 18 years ago the group paid Devonna
Paquette to come in and do a workshop with a model in the Leisure
Time Centre. This was a great hit. There were many annual
parties at Judy Perry's and Rosemary White’s plus day long
Plein Air paintings at David and Jane Savage's farm.
On Nov
20, 1991 GBACA Judy Perry and Willi Wildman, who had put in a presentation
for the board of Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, received
a Memorandum from the BMFA stating the proposal (pertaining to operation
of a storefront for GBACA) had been approved in principle with further
info necessary. This proposal went ahead and a Co-op was put
together at what is now Sterio's in Thornbury. A write up
and photo is included (in the book).
On Dec
11, 1994 President Willi Wildman wrote a letter to Blue Mountain
School of Landscape Painting Board (original request included in
book) requesting funds to open a storefront in Collingwood after
the Thornbury Co-op closed. **It is to be noted that these
funds were returned quickly as a place was found and GBACA shared
space with “Willow Wood” framing store.
Today,
however, GBACA numbers more than 145 members and is very active:
·
It sponsors an annual bursary in memory of Geraldine
Balint which is presented to the Georgian College student showing
excellence in pottery.
·
To commemorate our 20th anniversary, Art
Awards have been set up at both of Collingwood's High Schools:
Collingwood Collegiate Institute - GBACA Art Award is given to a
Graduate who has excelled in a Variety of Visual Arts and is
pursuing a career in art. Our first presentation went to Katie
Harrison in October; Jean Vanier - GBACA Art Award to be given
starting in the spring of 2006 to a student who has shown talent in
a Variety of Media, showing open mindedness and a variety of
interests and will be pursuing a career in Art.
·
It hosts regular shows in the Georgian Bay area which
provide its members with the opportunity to display and sell their
work to the public. These include:
§
The L.E. Shore Library – “Gallery Invitational” in
Thornbury each March.
§
The July “Theme” show at the Collingwood
Library-Gallery and
§
The “Art & Craft show at the Collingwood
Library-Gallery each December.
§
In the nineties GBACA Hung a One Day Show
including a fabulous reception at the Garden Place on The Bridal
Path in Toronto.
§
It hosts “Art-In-The-Park” which began as a joint
effort with the Blue Mountain School of Landscape Painters at Sunset
Point in 1989. Management was eventually assumed by GBACA and then
with the support of the downtown Collingwood “Business Improvement
Association” (www.downtowncollingwood.com)
it moved to its present location and is now called
“Art-In-The-Park(ing Lot). It occurs the first long weekend in
August and will be held this year on Saturday August 5th
and Sunday August 6th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in the
Municipal Parking Lot (2nd Street & Pine Street) where it
has been held each year since 2004.
§ The first joint Art Show with Meaford Creative Arts
Assoc was held at the newly renovated Town Hall in Meaford Oct 5th
and 6th 2006.
Through
the years GBACA has remained true to its original goals and
objectives and this year marks its 20th Anniversary.
It’s a time to reflect on where we have come from, to celebrate our
accomplishments and to thank and acknowledge our founding and
charter members and our Past Presidents. Please note that we have
tried to take care in listing names but mistakes do happen. We
welcome your comments and apologize for any errors or omissions.
Following is a list of GBACA Past Presidents:
FOUNDING PRESIDENT Geraldine Balint, Alphonse Grant, Judy Perry,
Sally Miller, Willi Wildman, Jennifer Gouche, Rosemary White, Murray
Clerkson and Mark Hope. Our current President is Yvonne Gibson.
Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from
September to June at 12:00 noon at the Collingwood Library and new
members are always welcome.
For
more information about GBACA contact:
GEORGIAN BAY ASSOCIATION FOR
CREATIVE ARTS
Box
#344, Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 3Z7
Yvonne
Gibson, President
Phone:
705-445-2729
gygibson@bmts.com
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