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March 9, 2012
It was a full-house at Bowmanville’s Visual Art Centre last week for the opening of Sean McQuay’s solo exhibition playfully titled Lingeresque. It really was a “linger fest.” Gallery visitors, students and McQuay fans stuck around the gallery long after gallery hours last Sunday to chat with Sean. This was no surprise given Sean’s long-standing profile as an artist and educator in Durham Region. Whitby’s very own son has maintained a studio and teaching practice in the area since graduating from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. He’s a professor at Durham College’s ever-expanding Fine Art and Design programme.
McQuay and I compare ties
Sean’s conceptual and artistic exuberance is infectious. Year after year, he passes this positive energy to his students. This collaborative spirit weaves through his Bowmanville show. I’m sure he’ll speak more about this during his artist talk scheduled for Sunday, April 1st. No foolin’!
I really enjoyed seeing the wide-breadth of the artist’s production ranging from paintings, artefacts from his performances, conceptual pieces and lens-based media. His acetate-filled light-boxes are amazing studies in depth perception. But to get a real perspective on the depth of Sean’s career, there’s a video interview of the bearded artist from the early eighties. Thirty years later, the beard may be gone, but Sean’s art is going strong!
McQuay back in the day, c. 1980
February 27, 2010
Just as the Olympic torch was passed in Durham a few weeks back, so too will another torch pass on in the community. This evening will mark Richard Toms’s “Freedom 45” retirement party from the VAC (Visual Arts Centre) in Bowmanville as James Campbell takes on the Executive Directorship. Richard has made a significant and long-lasting impression on the arts in Durham. We are fortunate that this is where Richard burnished his expertise and know-how. He has been energetically involved in the Durham arts community for over twenty years. His expertise touched many facets in the area including visual arts instructor, print-shop technician, education co-ordinator, and of course the Executive Director of the Visual Arts Centre in Bowmanville since 2001. It’s true that he treated these responsibilities as an artform—with sustained concentration, robust engagement, levity and lots of good-humour. But his true passion and acumen lays in his own studio production. Relocating to Prince Edward Island, Richard will now strictly concentrate on his business and fine art pursuits. In the coming months Richard and his wife Stacey will be opening a sweet shop and art gallery in Georgetown, PEI called The Maroon Pig.
For many years, he was a great friend and resource to us at Station Gallery—whenever we had questions about the printmaking process, Mr. Toms was the expert. Richard has kindly donated an outstanding print to Station Gallery’s upcoming Drawing for Art fundraiser. I won’t be the only one who will have eyes for Richard’s lithograph on April 29th. We wish you happy trails and all the best with your new beginnings on the Island. Bon Voyage, Richard and Stacey!
curator by day 