2015 Annual Report The Robert McLaughlin Gallery The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

Contents

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

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 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.

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.

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

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

“One of the most beautiful small galleries I have We can certainly look forward to exciting things to come. ever seen. Lovely architecture and great art.” - Deborah

Olivia Petrie President, Board of Trustees

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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 A family enjoys a studio activity at RMG Fridays. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve. 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. “This art gallery is an oasis of exquisite culture in the rough diamond that is Oshawa’s cultural scene. Not Onward and upward…together! 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.” Donna Raetsen-Kemp Chief Executive Office - Lionel

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Curator’s Report

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. ’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.

Visitors view a work by Ray Mead at RMG Fridays. Photo by Mat Calverley. 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. “I love wandering in to see what’s new. 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 I come over at lunch time as often as 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 I need to see everything. The RMG is a exhibition Mindful Manipulation. real jewel and I feel lucky to have it so close and so accessible.” - Matthew Linda Jansma Senior Curator

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Impact by the Numbers Digital Engagement

Total Gallery Attendance 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 22,426 design. The new website is entirely AODA and WC3 compliant and user experience is paramount. The 9% increase website effectively shows our exhibitions, events,

Kids participate in a studio activity at RMG Fridays. collection, information and provides additional Having fun with the Selfie Station at RMG Fridays Highest daily attendance Photo by Lucy Villeneuve. artist resources. on April 10 Website Sessions Program Growth: 57% increase in OPG Second Sunday 469 participants RMG Fridays April event 46,054 28% increase in Artist and Curatorial 19% increase talks attendance 13% growth in RMG Fridays attendance Twitter Followers 29% increase in volunteer hours 15% increase in gallery memberships 4,359 24% increase Visitor Feedback: RMG website “About” page showing desktop and mobile variations Facebook Followers 52% of guests were new visitors 96% of guests said their visit met or exceeded expectations 89% of guests plan on visiting more 3,159 museums or galleries in the 40% increase near future because of their experience at the RMG eNewsletter Subscribers 1,252 45% increase Overall Attendance Summary: Instagram Followers General Visitation School Programming and Tours Classes, Workshops and Other Tours 876 Outreach (Activities outside of the RMG) 115% increase Public Programming and Art Events * All percentage increase calculations are based Beyond Measure artists and curator in the photo Volunteer Alex Ross takes a selfie with Tony Scherman’s Elvis (Blue on the difference between 2014 and 2015 data booth during the opening reception at RMG Fridays Highway series) (detail), 2000, encaustic on canvas. Gift of the artist. and show results as of December 31, 2015

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Exhibitions

Closeups: Margaret Rodgers Travelling Exhibitions Thomas Bouckley Collection January 23 – May 7, 2015 Hosted by the RMG

Running on Empty David Rokeby: Very Nervous System January 10 – April 26, 2015 May 30 – September, 2015

Jock Macdonald: Evolving Form January 31 – May 24, 2015 Collaborative Exhibitions Organized by the RMG ARTiculate: Durham Catholic School Board April 30 – May 17, 2015 Reading the Talk

Water: Lora Moore-Kakaletris Museum London May 2 – May 31, 2015 May 9 – August 30, 2015

Spirit of Sport: Thomas Bouckley Collection Art Gallery of Peterborough May 9 – August 22, 2015 September 11 – November 1, 2015 Publications Puppet Act: Manipulating the Voice MacLaren Art Centre May 23 – September 1, 2015 November 28, 2015 – March 6, 2016 Running on Empty: Kim Adams, John Massey, Kate Puxley, Boxing: The Sweet Science Ian Johnston: Reinvented Consumption May 30 – September 13, 2015 Shayne Ehman + Seth Scriver, Monica Tap, Elinor Whidden Access Gallery, with Jean-Luc Godard A Visionary Journey: Works from the June 5 – July 18, 2015 Collection of Terri Lipman Essay: Heather Nicol June 6 – October 4, 2015 Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins: Jock Macdonald: Evolving Form The Collaborationists Moving Image Essays: Ian Thom, Linda Jansma, Michelle Jacques and September 12, 2015 – August 20, 2016 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Anna Hudson Arizona, U.S.A. Mindful Manipulation June 6 – September 13, 2015 Thomas Bouckley Collection Boxing: The Sweet Science Introduction: Sean O’Meara August 26 – January 24, 2016 Jock Macdonald: Evolving Form Essays: Linda Jansma and Stephen Brunt Beyond Measure: Domesticating Distance Art Gallery of Greater Victoria September 5 – January 3, 2016 June 12 – September 7, 2015 Puppet Act: Manipulating the Voice Oshawa Art Association’s 48th Annual Juried Exhibition Toni Hamel: The lingering September 17 – October 4, 2015 Essay: Linda Jansma Grimsby Public Art Gallery Beyond Measure: Top: Installation of Beyond Measure: Domesticating Ray Mead: Abstraction Through Line October 24 – December 6, 2015 Domesticating Distance Distance. Photo by Brilynn Ferguson. October 10, 2015 - January 24, 2016 Above: Terri Lipman and Linda Jansma at RMG Fridays Introduction: Seema July. Photo by Linda Ryde. Ray Mead: Living Within Hollenberg Bottom: Running on Empty artists Elinor Whidden and Essay: Ambereen Siddiqui Monica Tap pose with curator Heather Nicol and Whidden’s November 21, 2015 - January 17, 2016 sculpture at RMG Fridays. Photo by Mat Calverley.

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Acquisitions

Gifts

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Lake Superior, Ontario 1973 silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat board 19.6 x 24.4 cm (image); 35.4 x 48.6 cm (mat board) Gift of Sean Bourdeau Robert Bourdeau, Lake Superior, Ontario 1973, silver gelatin print on Clinton Griffin, Superpunch, 2002-2010, ink, Pete Doherty, The Docks Nightclub, Toronto, Ontario, Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 paper, mounted on mat board. Gift of Sean Bourdeau acrylic, paper and oil on board. Gift of the artist 2005/2015, gelatin silver print on paper. Gift of the artist Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978 silver gelatin print on paper, mounted Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Griffin, Scott, Canadian, b. 1970 on mat board Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978 Yorkshire, England 1975 Game 1997 19. x 24.4 cm (image); 35.4 x 43.1 cm silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat mixed media on masonite (mat board) board A/P board 77.4 x 104.7 cm Gift of Sean Bourdeau 19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 32.9 x 38.0 cm (mat board) 19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 32.9 x 38.1 cm (mat board) Gift of Margaret Rodgers Gift of Sean Bourdeau Gift of Sean Bourdeau Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Harlander Pottery (Theo and Susanne Harlander), Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978 Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Canadian, b. Germany 1920 (Theo d. pre 1992; silver gelatin print on paper, mounted Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978 Untitled 1974 Susanne d. 2005) on mat board silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat Untitled (Garden of Eden) 24.4 x 19.4 cm (image); 38.1 x 33.0 cm board A/P board glazed ceramic and wood table (mat board) 19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 32.9 x 48.2 cm (mat board) 19.6 x 24.3 cm (image); 33.6 x 38.5 cm (mat board) 70.5 x 55.3 x 134.0 cm Gift of Sean Bourdeau Gift of Sean Bourdeau Gift of Sean Bourdeau Gift of the Estate of Elizabeth Harlander

Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Doherty, Pete, b. 1964 Harlander, Theo, Canadian b. Germany, 1920 d. pre Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978 Untitled 1974 The Docks Nightclub, Toronto, Ontario 2005/2015 1992 silver gelatin print on paper, mounted silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat gelatin silver print on paper Untitled (cat) on mat board A/P board 27.7 x 35.5 cm (paper); 20.4 x 30.7 cm (image) glazed ceramic 19.2 x 24.5 cm (image); 32.9 x 38.0 cm 19.2 x 24.6 cm (image); 33.6 x 38.5 cm (mat board) Gift of the artist 24 x 15 x 20 cm (mat board) Gift of Sean Bourdeau Gift of the Estate of Elizabeth Harlander Gift of Sean Bourdeau Doherty, Pete, b. 1964 Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Sully’s Gym, Toronto, Ontario 2012/2015 Housser, Yvonne McKague, Canadian, 1898-1996 Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 Untitled 1974 gelatin silver print on paper Northern Lake n.d. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 1978 silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat 27.7 x 35.5 cm (paper); 20.4 x 30.7 cm (image) oil on panel silver gelatin print on paper, mounted board Gift of the artist 33 x 40.8 cm on mat board 19. x 24.2 cm (image); 33.7 x 38.5 cm (mat board) Gift of Jana Schuelke 19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 33.0 x 38.1 cm Gift of Sean Bourdeau Griffin, Clinton, Canadian, b. 1973 (mat board) Superpunch 2002-2010 Jones, Janet, Canadian b. 1957 Gift of Sean Bourdeau Bourdeau, Robert, Canadian, b. 1933 ink, acrylic, paper and oil on board DaDa Delirio #4 2008-2009 Utah 1976 42.9 x 60.5 cm oil and acrylic on canvas silver gelatin print on paper, mounted on mat Gift of the artist 239.3 x 135.0 cm board Gift of the artist 19.4 x 24.4 cm (image); 33.0 x 38.1 cm (mat board) Gift of Sean Bourdeau

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Acquisitions (continued)

Gifts (continued) Scherman, Tony, Canadian, b. 1950 Elvis (Blue Highway series) 2000 Letendre, Rita, Canadian b. 1928 encaustic on canvas Onward 1966 152.6 x 152.1 cm oil on canvas Gift of the artist 50.7 x 60.9 cm Gift of the artist Savannah: Better Days (About 1865 series) 2006 encaustic on canvas Softly the Light Came 1984 91.4 x 91.4 cm acrylic on canvas Gift of the artist 283.0 x 107.1 cm Gift of the artist Ophelia (insane) (The Cream of Denmark series) 2009 Life and Passion, The Magic Circle 1998 encaustic on canvas oil on canvas 113.6 x 122.1 cm 152. 4 x 204.0 cm Gift of the artist Gift of the artist Polonius (The Cream of Denmark series) 2010 Palmer, Valerie, Canadian, b. 1950 encaustic on canvas Perpetua 1993 76 x 76.5 cm oil on canvas Gift of the artist 107 x 127 cm Anonymous Gift Purchases

Meadmore, Clement, b. Australia, 1929-2005 Dhaliwal, Sarindar, b. India 1953* Upstart II 1968/1987 the green fairy storybook 2009 black polane painted aluminum, 2/2 Bookwork: wooden table, leather, paper “Reverb reflects the 7.65 x 5.4 x 7.5 m 125 x 187.5 x 87.5 cm Gift of Marla and Edward Schwartz enthusiasm of those who visit Harding, Noel, b. England 1945 d. Caledon 2016 the GM Centre—they are the Reverb 2015 stainless steel, light ones who trigger the light 5.89 x 6.63 x 5.38 m. show in the sculpture... I feel Qayyum, Tazeen, Canadian, b. Pakistan, 1973 privileged to have spent time Observe and Release 2009 opaque watercolor on wasli (prepared archival with Noel Harding who died in paper) May 2016. The Canadian art 26.5 x 23 cm world has become a poorer Seek Not Outside Yourself II 2015 opaque water colour on hot press illustration place with his passing.” board Top: Noel Harding, Reverb, 2015, stainless steel, 70 x 70 cm light. Purchased with the financial support of the RMG – Linda Jansma, Senior Curator Acquisition Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance Program. Photo by Noel Harding. Tony Scherman, Polonius (The Cream of Denmark series) Above: Linda Jansma with Noel Harding (detail), 2010, encaustic on canvas. Gift of the artist * Board approved in 2015, acquired in 2016.

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Education ArtReach

The RMG education department offers a wide The RMG ArtReach Program provides meaningful range of classes, camps, school enrichment opportunities for community learning so that programs and specialized activities to learners visitors of all backgrounds and abilities can of all ages and abilities. School enrichment participate and engage with art. From intensive programs, which are offered both at the Gallery hands-on workshops to community exhibitions, and in schools across Durham Region, continue ArtReach is about the RMG strengthening and to be popular. These programs are designed to making the art community more accessible encourage students to look at and speak critically and inclusive. ArtReach initiatives focus on about Canadian art as well as explore their expressed needs, thereby creating lasting, creativity and art making skills. positive impressions of art and art experiences.

Highlights of 2015 Selected 2015 Programs

In 2015, the department engaged 4,281 children Imagination Station and families through a wide range of programs The Imagination Station is an invaluable resting, including OPG Second Sundays, Imagination art-making and play area for everyone, but Station, art classes, day camps, Family Day, primarily children and families. It drew 1,552 birthday parties, and other off-site community people in 2015. engagement activities on the occasion of Canada Day for instance, Durham’s Woodland Disco at Parkwood Estates, or the Tree Lighting Ceremony Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition at City Hall. The Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition is developed in partnership with Oshawa Public We celebrated Doors Open and Culture Days Libraries and the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre. in September, engaging local artists to create As the three organizations wish to address interactive art experiences for visitors, attracting the growing need for programing for seniors, a Top: A family at Culture Days. collaborative response has been the creation of 226 attendees. Above: Kids enjoying an art activity during March Break Camp. this annual event. Our audience in 2015 was 917 The popularity of Art Fundamentals children’s visitors, with 46 at the opening reception and classes rose and adult workshops saw enormous “We love your art classes awards ceremony. registration increases. and have brought friends Art For All We conducted 164 school enrichment programs, out to OPG Sundays. The This partnership project, with the support of the and attendance reached 3,719 students. Rotary Club of Oshawa, supported 251 students projects are interesting in under-served schools in downtown Oshawa. Participation in our OPG Second Sunday program Participating students were provided free school rose from 705 attendees in 2014 to 1,104 in 2015. and fun to do, as well as enrichment programs and bus bursaries. Generously sponsored by the Ontario Power inspiring and foster a Generation, this program offers free, hands-on Scholarships activities to the public, with October’s Halloween “can do” attitude. Your The RMG awards two prizes to students studying event and the Celebration of Colour in March being at Durham College. Samra Asif, a second year in particularly high demand. community outreach student, was awarded the RMG Graphic Design

programs are also great award and Shaun Gray, a third year fine art Above: 2015 Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition winners: Ken student, was awarded the RMG Art Award. Norris, Bronze, Marion Beharrell, Silver, Angela Hennessey, Gold. Photo to see at events.” courtesy of the Oshawa Public Libraries. Middle: Participants enjoying a workshop with Beyond Measure artist Tazeen Qayyum. Bottom: A child - Visitor painting during Summer Art Camp.

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Gallery A and Art Lab Art Lab Artist Profile

This fledgling residency and exhibition opportunity Michael Drolet continues to flourish. It is programmed by a competitive process that prioritizes regional and Michael Drolet is an emerging artist from Whitby, underrepresented artists. who recently completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at the University of Ottawa. He was an Art Lab In 2015, we were able to host artists Pete Smith, resident and exhibited in Gallery A. Toni Hamel, Ruth Greenlaw, Eric Rosser, Ramune Luminaire, Judith Mason, Lynne McIlvride, Monique “What first got me interested in the Ra Brent, Joe and Matt Catalano, and Michael Drolet. Group shows included Durham College Fine residency was the studio space that was Art Graduates, Motor City Stories featuring Karoline available to work. The lab is quite large Baker, Dani Crosby, Joaquin Manay, and Phillip which for my work is essential... The Nutall, and local fibre artists under the direction of Gallery A space in conjunction with the Marilyn Whitbread including Rosemary Oliver, Cathy Art Lab also provides a solid foundation Brownson, and Rita Benson. for an artist to show their work to the public, which as an emerging artist is Professional Development invaluable... I encourage artists of all for Artists disciplines to apply, accept the rules and guidelines of the gallery, and push your New programming provides the opportunity for artists to share their creative and professional creative practice further in new ways.” expertise in custom-designed, one-off workshops. - Michael Drolet, Art Lab Artist in Residence

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

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Art Events RMG Fridays “I recently attended my first RMG Friday and was very Our 2015 events were rich with collaborative The local hub for art, music, and film, in 2015 impressed. I look forward projects, arts infused cultural experiences, and RMG Fridays welcomed 2,593 guests, brought engaging contemporary experiences. Designed to together 38 community partners, 25 bands and to attending many more in suit a range of visitors from academics to those had 15 exhibition tours. In 2015, we launched our the future with my family.” only casually interested in art, RMG events drive Friday Film Features program to provide exposure our attendance, help us fundraise and create a to emerging, experimental and professional - Darryl sense of community. filmmakers with short film screenings.

Art Talks and Symposia RMG Fridays celebrated four years of inception and monthly musical performances did not In 2015, 361 people attended gallery talks, a disappoint with new and established talent. 28% increase from the previous year. Speakers Exhibition openings, pop up experiences and included artists Coral Short, Lora Moore- studio activities diversified our audience. Kakaletris, Margaret Rodgers, Pete Smith, Toni Hamel, Ruth Greenlaw, Eric Rosser, Lynne Our desire to continually set the bar higher has McIlvride, Monique Ra Brent, Mike Drolet and led us to improve on the evening. We’ve brought Marilyn Whitbread. There was also a performance the focus back home to include our community. A by artist Diana Lopez Soto during the opening fantastic example was our “Back to School” event. reception for Puppet Act. Guest speakers included By including music from The Bird Loft, a local Sean O’Meara, former amateur boxer and sports school of voice paired with dance performances, organizer and Pan Am Chair. Curator’s talks were and a film screening from the Durham School done by Heather Nicol, Linda Jansma, Sonya of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, we saw our Jones, Terri Lipman and Ambereen Siddiqui. numbers and participation skyrocket.

We held two successful symposia associated Partnerships are instrumental to the success of with exhibitions of the same name – Jock the event. Community Partners for 2015 included: Macdonald and Beyond Measure. Respectively 54 the City of Oshawa, UOIT, Durham College, Trent and 28 visitors attended. University, Girls Inc. Durham, Oshawa Youth Council, Pan Am Games, Oshawa Public Library, Durham Festival, Durham School of Ballet and RMG Exposed Contemporary Dance (DSBCD), The Bird Loft School of Voice, Culture Counts, and Feed the Our annual juried photography competition and Need Durham. RMG Fridays received support live auction event was themed ‘1970’s Disco from DJ Lynz, JMS Audio and Empty Cup Media. 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 Who Attends RMG Fridays? art installation by Katrina Jennifer Bedford. The top prize of the night, an RMG Solo Exhibition Under 18 Project sponsored by CIBC Wood Gundy, was awarded to artist Lindsay Lauckner Gundlock for 18-24 her photograph Wind on the Ferry. Top: Guests on a tour of the exhibition Jock Macdonald: Evolving 25-35 Form. Middle: Artist panel for Beyond Measure Symposium. Below: Auctioneer Steven Ranger commanding the room at RMG 35+ Exposed. Photo by Grant Cole. Top: Birds of Bellwoods perform at RMG Fridays. Photo by Mat Calverley. Bottom: Funk band Yasgur’s Farm entertaining at RMG Exposed. Middle: Young guests enjoying art. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve. Photo by Grant Cole. Bottom: A studio activity. Photo by Lucy Villeneuve.

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Volunteer Program Volunteer Profile

The RMG values the importance of volunteerism Swetha Srikanth and makes it a priority to ensure all volunteers have an enriching and satisfying experience as Swetha Srikanth is a graduating grade 11 student they help to fulfil the needs of the gallery. We at O’Neill C.V. I. and over the summer of 2015 she offer student placements so students can build completed a co-op placement with the RMG. Swetha essential skills in their related area of study. continued to volunteer with the gallery after her Volunteers assist with programming, event and placement, helping at almost every RMG Friday! gallery support. In 2015, volunteers gave 3,640 hours to the RMG, with 26% of those hours from “Volunteering at the RMG has been youth volunteers. That’s roughly the equivalent of wonderful. I have had the opportunity two full-time staff over one year! to be creative in so many different Volunteer Symposium forms, one of which has been learning videography. Volunteers are able to With our professional development funding help in many areas of the gallery, and I from the Ontario Trillium Foundation we hosted have had the opportunity to work in the a Volunteer Youth Leaders Symposium for office, the gift shop, the studio, and most 42 volunteer managers from across Durham notably, do various tasks at RMG Fridays. Region. The event featured keynote speaker Michael Prosserman, the Executive Director of UNITY Charity. A panel discussion followed I have volunteered at almost every with volunteer leaders: Brianne Blackman, AIDS single RMG Fridays since I have been at committee of Durham, Melissa Haslam, Girls the gallery. I enjoy it so much as every Inc. Durham, Norah O’Donnell, the RMG and shift is a brand new experience where Lisa Terech, the Oshawa Community Museum. I am able to interact with friendly staff, Group workshops included Youth Engagement volunteers, and the public. Volunteering 101 with The Students Commission of Canada with Sharif Mahdy and Program Evaluation with at the gallery has impacted my path to Darren O’Donnell, Artistic & Research Director university and beyond by providing new of Mammalia. 95% of participants stated the challenges and allowing me to grow as a symposium fulfilled expectations. creative and independent individual.

I will be heading off to Ryerson University “The RMG continues to for a Bachelor of Interior Design in 2016, stimulate me: as a Teacher and the past year and a few months at for 45 years and Volunteer the gallery has allowed me to develop extremely beneficial skills, including Docent 15 years, I want leadership and artistic that I will use in to continue offering years to come. Thanks RMG for providing a unique environment to volunteer in!” and sharing my skills by - Swetha Srikanth, Co-Op Student,

Top: Volunteers Natalie and Alex at RMG Exposed. Photo by Grant Cole. Artist and RMG Volunteer touring all ages.” Top: Volunteers Swetha and Amelia filming an RMG Fridays event. Above: Volunteer Illianna prepares the RMG Fridays Board. Above: Volunteers Raechel, Swetha, Heather, Alessandra and Christine Bottom: A workshop at the volunteer Youth Leaders Symposium. - Wayne McLeod, RMG Volunteer helping out at the Volunteer Youth Leaders Symposium.

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Membership and Support

Financial Donors and Brilynn Ferguson KKP Pickering Honorary Life Mr. & Mrs. H. Lee Miss Florence Hart Corporate Sponsors Jeff Gardner La Quinta Inn & Suites Mrs. Sylvia Armstrong Mrs. D. Littlefield Mr. Ernie Herzig CIBC Wood Gundy Avi Cohen LMA Communications Inc. Mr. Thomas Bouckley Mr. & Mrs. Robin Mackenzie Mr. Sydney Hopkins CIBC World Markets Gary Greenwood Lynz & Company Mrs. Alice Bradford Mr. & Mrs. J. Mitchell Mr. Terrence Kelly City of Oshawa Clinton Griffin Mazar Fox Art Consulting Mr. Jack Bush Prof. & Mrs. Charles T. Morey Mrs. Joanne Mazzoleni Concrete Contemporary AJ Groen Media Sign Mr. Oscar Cahén Mr. & Mrs. Brian & June Mudd Dr. & Mrs. T.C. Monchesky Auctions and Projects Estate of Elizabeth Harlander Photostar Mr. & Mrs. Craighead Dr. & Mrs. L.W. Oxenham Dr. Elizabeth L. Simmons Continental Currency Exchange Sara Heinonen Pilar’s Catering Mrs. Jane Dixon Rev. & Mrs. W. Patterson Mrs. Miriam Squires CRCS Bill Hornbostel Poster Jack Mrs. Hortense Gordon Mr. William Ronald Miss May Stone Dr. Lawrence Hoffman Janet Jones Robert Aldsworths Photo Dr. & Mrs. G.E. Hare Mrs. Madeleine Rose Durham College Glen Lee Jones World Miss Florence Hart Mr. & Mrs. Jack Sage Annual Contributing Member Harex Inc. Katherine Keates Snapd Oshawa Mrs. Greta Hastings Mr. & Mrs. H.R. Schell Ian Briggs ICL Door Service Chad C. Kirvan Stephen Bulger Gallery Mr. Tom Hodgson Mrs. Ruth Sedgewick J. Doris Cherkas IPM Independent Project Christine Lucy Latimer Waddingtons Mrs. Kay Hopkins Dr. & Mrs. Murray Speirs Robert Desjardins Managers Jordan Loder Yasgurs Farm Miss Ada Kelly Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Squires Gordon Dowsley Irene Seetner Lindsay Lauckner Gundlock Mrs. Trudi Lancaster Mr. & Mrs. R.H. Stacey Ann Galbraith J. Donohue-Bordeau Ingrid Mayrhofer Contributing Members Ms. Mrs. Gladys Stanley George & Sally Hillis John & Lisa Weiss Tim McGhie Mr. Jock Macdonald Mrs. Helen Taylor Ronald & Melanie Kitchen Mallory Morris-Sartz & John Tristan Mitchell Original Life Mr. & Mrs. E.R.S. McLaughlin Mr. & Mrs. A. Tocher Ronald & Helen Lambert Sartz Lora Moore-Kakaletris Mr. & Mrs. E. Bassett Miss Isabel McLaughlin Mr. Arthur & Judy Lovell Nancy Miller Leif Petersen Mr. & Mrs. E.F. Bastedo Mr. Ray Mead Mr. & Mrs. Peter Vangils Gordon Macfarlane Nick Swerdfeger Architects Inc. Sarah Sands Phillips Mrs. Joan Chalmers Mr. Mr. & Mrs. Percy Waxer Lois McDonald Ontario Power Generation Samantha Pierre Miss C.G.C. Christie Mr. & Mrs. W.S. Nurse Mrs. Lisa Weiss Alexandra Morin Ontario Trillium Foundation Estate of Anne Redpath Mr. & Mrs. L.S. Collacutt Mrs. Lillian Pincombe Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Wells David & Suzanne Peacock Oshawa Centre Holdings Lola Reid Allin Mrs. Gordon D. Conant Mr. Herm Pincombe Mrs. Elizabeth Wolfe Tess Pierce RBC Foundation Tom Ridout Dr. & Mrs. Gordon Hare Mr. William Ronald Mrs. Evelyn Wright Frank Politano Snapd Oshawa Margaret Rodgers Miss Florence Hart Dr. & Mrs. J. Murray Speirs Mr. Walter Yarwood Stephen & Maryke Rowlands Trent University Jana Schuelke Mrs. Philip B. Jackson Mr. Harold Town Mr. & Mrs. Fred Schaeffer UOIT Courtney Skovira Mr. & Mrs. C.C. McGibbon Mr. & Mrs. P. Waxer Permanent Individual Phil & Barb Wooding Oliver Steins Dr. & Mrs. G.A. Rundle Mr. Walter Yarwood Benefactors Memorial Donation Jordyn Stewart Mr. & Mrs. Sydney Miss. Elizabeth Aleen Aked Corporate Memberships Betty Pulsifer John Edwin Sweetman Shoychet Founders Mr. R. Brian Ayer Andrew Foundation Paul Teolis Tabular Lord Kenneth Thomson Mr. & Mrs. R.G. Allen Mr. Thomas Bouckley Harex Inc. Gifts in Kind Michele Taras Dr. & Mrs. Abraham Mr. & Mrs. David Brazier Dr. Zoltan Fekete King West Landscape Natalie Austin Jessica Thalmann Waisglass Mr. & Mrs. W. Caldwell Mr. & Mrs. N.G. Lund Contracting Katrina Jennifer Bedford Jeremy Waud Dr. & Mrs. B.M. Woods Mr. & Mrs. Peter Carswell Mrs. Joanne Mazzoleni LMA Communications Inc. Laura Berman Jen Yeaman Mr. Carl S. Clark Miss Isabel McLaughlin Mike McRae Contracting Dawn Brooks Danna Yuhas Major Friend Mr. & Mrs. William Earle Mrs. Molly K. Pollock Peacock Lumber Daniel Bruno Artbarrage Ms. Peggy Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Frank Eggert Dr. & Mrs. G. Woodall PMB Professional Mortgage Gary Chapple Concrete Contemporary Dr. & Mrs. Gordon Woodall Dr. M. Eggert Brokers Liam Coo Auctions and Projects Mr. & Mrs. D. Ferguson Director Emerita Laurie Crew Ed Video Miss Florence Hart Mrs. Joan Murray + John Davidson Empty Cup Media Mrs. L. Barbara Hart And 350 other Pete Doherty Gervais Party & Tent Rentals Mr. Gary Hunt Life wonderful individual Joe Donohue Huff Estates Mrs. Marilyn King Dr. Zoltan Fekete and family members! Carolyn Doucette JMS Audio Mr. & Mrs. James Kraemer Mr. John Galbraith

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Financial Summary

“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 Shannon leads an activity for Culture Days.

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

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

“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

An RMG Fridays performance. Photo by Mat Calverley.

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

Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Chief Executive Officer Board Executive (August – December) President, Olivia Petrie Past President, Christine Castle Administration and Communications Vice President, Christian Nikiforuk Olinda Casimiro, Director of Finance & Administration Treasurer, Vince Bulbrook Stephen Dick, Manager, Protection Services Secretary, Bruce Watson Sam Mogelonsky, Manager of Marketing and Communications Board of Trustees Carla Sinclair, Manager of Community and Shaun Downey Volunteer Development Jennifer Humphries Elsy Gould, Membership Co-ordinator Denis O’Connell Cheryl-Ann Zamulinski, Event Co-ordinator Pramilla Ramdahani & Venue Rentals Elaine Regas Gord Sedgewick Exhibitions and Collections Nick Swerdfeger Linda Jansma, Senior Curator Sonya Jones, Associate Curator and Curator Council Representative of the Thomas Bouckley Collection Councillor Bob Chapman Jason Dankel, Preparator Due to the terms of our Board of Trustees, Education each year we say goodbye to a few who have Leslie Menagh, Manager of Public Programs led us admirably: and ArtReach • Richard Mazar • Katrina Morin Jennifer Treleaven, Education Co-ordinator • Thomas Garcia • Malcolm McTaggart Parvathi Bhat Giliyal, Gallery Educator • Iris Nowell

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

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery Ready for Your Visit 72 Queen Street Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Civic Centre 10 am - 5 pm Oshawa, Ontario Thursday L1H 3Z3 10 am - 9 pm 905.576.3000 Saturday [email protected] 10 am - 4 pm rmg.on.ca Sunday 12 pm - 4 pm

Office Hours Monday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm Printed by KKP Pickering. Donna Raetsen-Kemp at RMG Exposed 2015 Curator Heather Nicol leads a tour of Running On Empty

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