REGINA, July 5, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament (Palliser), today announced funding for the MacKenzie Art Gallery.
This funding will help the Gallery undertake a project to produce a travelling retrospective exhibition on the work of award-winning Saskatchewan ceramicist Jack Sures. Key project activities include the production of the exhibit, the development and delivery of public programming, the creation of a documentary film on Sures' murals and other large-scale works, and the writing and publication of an extensive bilingual exhibit catalogue. The exhibition is scheduled to open at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in the spring of 2012.
"Our Government recognizes the importance of fostering greater access to artistic heritage across different geographic regions of Canada," said Minister Moore. "That is why we are proud to support the MacKenzie Art Gallery's efforts to produce a retrospective exhibition on the work of influential Regina-based artist Jack Sures."
"A year ago, the Government of Canada announced funding to support the research phase of this exhibition," said Mr. Boughen. "Today, I am pleased to announce our Government's continued investment in the production phase of this project, which will give Canadians the opportunity to discover and celebrate the artistic accomplishments of one of Saskatchewan's best."
"The MacKenzie Art Gallery is grateful for the Government of Canada's support of this important exhibition of Jack Sures' work," said Stuart Reid, Executive Director of the MacKenzie Art Gallery. "This project will bring together galleries, curators, and writers from across Canada and the United States to focus on Sures' long career as an internationally significant and influential ceramic artist."
Jack Sures is a nationally recognized ceramicist and a member of the "Regina Clay" group of ceramic artists who popularized the use of clay as a sculptural material during the 1960s and 1970s. He is known for work ranging from functional craft ceramics to large ceramic murals, such as the one found on the group entrance to the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $230,359 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Francine D. Lefebvre
Director
Regional Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
Tel.: 204-983-4367
Cell: 204-899-8611
francine.lefebvre@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
