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TROPER LAUNNA
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THE ROBERT MCLAUGHLIN GALLERY
Jeff Thomas (b. 1956), The Delegate Visits the McLaughlin Gallery, 2007, colour photograph on paper, Gift of the artist, 2009.
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We proudly acknowledge that The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is situated on the ancestral lands and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First
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Nation and the traditional territory of the Mississauga Nation.
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VISION Oshawa and Durham Region flourish through arts, culture and community connection and resilience.
MISSION We work together with our communities to create conversations through the arts that encourage people to experience the world
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Adults having fun painting in our Studio.
differently.
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OUR AUDIENCE FOR 2018
1,100 Our highest daily attendance for 2018.
Visitor attendance and participation is growing with a projected growth of over 40,000 within the next couple of years.
35,500 Visited The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in 2018.
OUR BEST DAY OF 2018 The Holiday Artisan Market and Tree Lighting Lounge event helped us break our single-day attendance record, with over 1100 guests coming into the space that Friday.
In 2018 we saw an increase of 31% for our school programs, which are increasingly booked in advance by educators. Our participation in community education activities such as OPG Sundays, kids classes and adult classes, also had an uptick of 21% between 2017 and 2018.
INSTAGRAM E-NEWSLETTER FACEBOOK 4,500 subscribers 1.2% increase
All percentage increases are based on comparison between 2017 and 2018 data. All results as of December, 2018.
4,700 followers 7.3% increase
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2,900 followers 5.9% increase
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Kevin Dougherty Chair, Board of Directors The theme of challenge and change that heralded the 2018 RMG year certainly emerged as an ongoing theme throughout the year. During 2018, the RMG continued through an ongoing transformative process as guided by the 2018-2020 Strategic Plan and as deemed necessary in response to the challenges presented by many changes. This past year the RMG said goodbye to Linda Jansma after 29 years of excellence in curation at the RMG and we said hello to Leila Timmins as our new curator, and my oh my, has Leila ever hit the ground running. A number of other staff and organizational changes, along with more than our fair share of infrastructure challenges together all made for a hectic 2018. The 2018-2020 Strategic Plan defines our Mission and Vision as well as providing details of the RMG’s strategic priorities that will continue to enable the RMG to build further capacity to empower artists; contribute to a flourishing cultural and civic landscape; and deepen a holistic, integrated and purposeful approach to the RMG’s work.
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I am very happy to report that the RMG is on track in its first year of this new Strategic Plan under the direction of Donna and supported by RMG staff as is regularly evidenced by the RMG’s new found resiliency and a growing adaptive capacity with an increase in affinity between the RMG, the Durham Region and GTA communities, and a growing list of community partners. As I look back on the RMG’s exhibits and special events this past year, I am truly impressed by the creativity, dedication and hard work of the entire RMG team. With the RMG realizing again an audience of over 35,000 this past year and with our ever-growing learning programs and events, the future holds promise of an audience approaching 40,000 and beyond in the coming years. The coming years will bring continued change from challenges to our aging building as we continue to attempt to navigate this somewhat daunting financial climate. Fundraising support remains strong, but to continue to be able to provide ongoing learning programs, cutting edge exhibitions, while properly protecting the Gallery and the Collection, we will need to aggressively increase our fundraising efforts, as well as seek out new venues of financial support, and continue to foster existing partnerships. As the RMG continues to be challenged by change it is essential that we all rise to the challenge as the RMG reaches out in new and innovative ways to potential donors, existing members, and our municipal, regional and provincial communities that are all culturally richer through the RMG’s continued existence and program of unique programming and exhibitions. Personally, and on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Donna for her tireless leadership and her inspired vision for the RMG, as well as the entire RMG team, and all of our volunteers and members. I am confident that the RMG can establish a stronger foothold in the community as the place to be, and the place to support to the benefit of all. Thank you also to the City of Oshawa, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canadian Council for the Arts for their continued support of the RMG. I would also like to gratefully acknowledge all of my fellow Board members for giving generously through our fundraising campaign, as well as for giving their valuable time and knowledge, in their own areas of expertise, in support of the RMG through the work of the Board. It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as Chair of the RMG Board of Directors these last two years.
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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Donna Raetsen-Kemp Chief Executive Officer 2018 was a year of great change; change that posed challenges, but also opened up new opportunities. Our much loved and respected Senior Curator, Linda Jansma set her retirement journey in motion. After 29 years of passion and professionalism, Linda leaves an enduring legacy. She generously shared her knowledge and wisdom, supporting a seamless shift as we warmly embraced Leila Timmins, who confidently landed, referencing a respected past to inform an ambitious programming future. We took on the role of bigger picture enabler and facilitator, stepping out of the neutral zone and taking an active stance on issues facing our diverse communities. People connected with the RMG and each other, in new and deeper ways, while sharing their experience with others. In 2018 we experimented with new ways of working, with a focus on the exploration of social issues through the lens of diverse artists and community organizations like the Brain Injury Association of Durham Region. The breadth and depth of our education and immense pride.
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public programming is a source of
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Together with the Ontario Association of Art Galleries, we hosted the Ideas Digital Forum, a two-day gathering of artists, colleagues and thought leaders from across the country, and as far as Berlin, to pause and reimagine how artists and galleries might respond more effectively to the challenges, issues, and opportunities of the digital era. In spite of the financial challenges that many organizations faced we were able to grow, deepen relationships and influence social shifts while maintaining a balanced budget. The inherited deficit has been significantly reduced, as we confidently continue to carry out the deficit reduction plan. We see the gallery as a space where people gather to experience art in ways that are meaningful to them, a place where together we can learn, discover, explore and create connection. We are filled with gratitude for the growing assembly of donors, friends and supporters. You are our past, our present and our future - there is no RMG without you. I’m excited for the upcoming year. We take what we have learned and move forward with cultural awareness, compassion and empathy. Join us! Connect on social media, volunteer, make a much-needed gift to the gallery. How might you choose to make a difference? Onward and upward together!
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Linda Jansma speaks at her retirement party, 2018. Photo by Empty Cup Media.
Linda Jansma's retirement party at the RMG, 2018. Photo by Empty Cup Media
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THANK YOU LINDA JANSMA!
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CURATORIAL The 2018 exhibition year began with an invitation to Toronto-based artist Andil Gosine who, in All the Flowers, examined his formative teen years growing up in Oshawa as an immigrant from Trinidad. The work considered issues of homophobia, racism, and struggles that both he and his family experienced, along with highlighting those who made a positive impact on Gosine’s life. #FeelsLikeHome was a popular, crowd-sourced exhibition that asked the public to share what home meant to them by sending photographs which were then printed on a weekly basis for an exhibition that was added to throughout its run and accompanied by images from the Thomas Bouckley Collection. Beginning with the question, Whose Home and Native Land?, our Permanent Collection exhibition used an experimental collaborative process and centred Indigenous perspectives. The Curatorial and Learning and Engagement staff worked with three Indigenous community members to frame the exhibition’s content and direction helping, with their distinct voices, to create an inclusive and exciting project. The gallery produced many important contemporary exhibitions including group exhibitions Glimmers of the Radiant Real, Public Notice, and Inaabiwin, as well as the solo exhibition of Oshawa-born newmedia artist Jenn E. Norton: Slipstream. These exhibitions were accompanied by full colour catalogues and will be travelling across the country throughout 2020. Through its 2018 exhibition programming our various audiences were through both historic and contemporary artistic practices.
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challenged to question assumptions and expand notions of inclusion
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | 12 Installation photograph of Jenn E. Norton: Slipstream. Photo by Toni Hafkenschied.
Installation photograph of Public Notice. Photo by Tony Hafkenschied.
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PUBLICATIONS Lanie Treen, Andil Gosine: All the Flowers Ruth Jones and Sam Mogelonsky, Glimmers of the Radiant Real Linda Jansma and Crystal Mowry, Jenn E Norton: Slipstream Sonya Jones, Public Notice
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Installation Photographs and audience engagement with Glimmers of the Radiant Real. Photos by Toni Hafkenschied.
Danielle Printup and Billy-Ray Belcourt, Inaabiwin
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EXHIBITIONS Andil Gosine: All the Flowers January 13 – March 18 Grant Cole: The Parade of Life January 20 – April 22 Betwixt and Between: An Untold Tom Thomson Story January 27 – April 15 Jenn E Norton: Slipstream April 14 – September 16 #FeelsLikeHome April 28 – August 26 Glimmers of the Radiant Real May 12 – September 29 Whose Home and Native Land? June 30 – June 23, 2019 Ryan Van Der Hout: Dark Waters July 7 – September 23 The Forgotten Epidemic September 1 – January 20, 2019 Public Notice September 15 – January 13, 2019
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Street view of Shellie Zhang: The Ties that Bind, installation at Core 2. Photo by Ingrid Forster.
Installation photograph of Andil Gosine: All the Flowers. Photo by Toni Hafkenschied.
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EXHIBITIONS CONT. Inaabiwin September 22 – January 6, 2019 Luminous John Lander: Landscape, Portrait, and Still Life September 29 – December 9 Shellie Zhang: The Ties That Bind December 10 – July 15, 2019 (off site artist project) The Machine Age December 15 – April 21, 2019 Installation photograph of Inaabiwin. Photo by Toni Hafkenshied.
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INAABIWIN In Anishnaabemowin, Inaabiwin means “movement of light” and is used to describe lightning. In this exhibition, Indigenous and non-Indigenous viewers were encouraged to think about and feel their own relations and how they connect to larger worldviews. This project was guided by Indigenous voices through researched texts, as well as through conversations and visits with respected knowledge keepers. Artists: Scott Benesiinaabandan, Hannah Claus, Tanya Lukin Linklater, Meryl McMaster, and Greg Staats View interview with guest curator Danielle Printup here.
"Through the work of these artists, the show explores indigenous relationality essentially, how this relational ontology informs our world view as indigenous peoples. We have always embodied a relational approach in terms of connecting to and understanding the world around us that allows us to be more engaged in dynamic kinds of relationships whether that be relationships to the natural world, to a specific site or land base, to material objects that carry a certain weight or meaning for us, as well as to each other. With these relationships we are really able to have intimate connections through them. So this exhibition really personifies those connections." GUEST CURATOR, DANIELLE PRINTUP
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ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | 18 Installation photograph of Inaabiwin. Photo by Toni Hafkenshied.
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#FEELSLIKEHOME What does home mean to you? Members of the community were invited to participate in this exhibition by using the hashtag #feelslikehome to reflect what home meant to them. Submitted images were printed and included in a crowd-sourced exhibition project that illustrated how home and a sense of community can be one and
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Select vernacular photographs contributed by participants in the #feelslikehome exhibition, 2018.
the same.
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ACQUISITIONS Michael Adamson, Canadian, b. 1971 A Mystic Along 2008 oil on canvas 101.6 x 91.4 cm Gift of the artist Karl Beveridge and Carole Condé, Canadian, b. 1945 and 1940 Oshawa: A History of Local 222 1982-93 56 cibachrome prints 40.6 x 50.8 cm Gift of the artists Brown, D.P., Canadian b. 1939 Abby 1972 silkscreen on paper 73.7 x 58.7 cm (paper); 53.5 x 53.1 cm (image) Gift of the Estate of Bernyce and Julius Dick, Toronto Alexandra Luke, Canadian 1901-1967 Untitled n.d. acrylic and gouache on paper 30.3 x 22.9 cm Gift of Bill and Marion Irwin, Whitby Alexandra Luke, Canadian 1901-1967 Untitled n.d. oil on canvas 38.9 x 48.9 cm Gift of Bill and Marion Irwin, Whitby
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Carole Condé and Karl Beveridge, Oshawa: A History of Local 222 1984 3, Chromogenic Print, 1982 - 1983.
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"This work is extremely valuable to the community of Oshawa, as well as for the history of the labour movement in Canada. The work was created through a collaborative dialogue with members of the Local 222, resulting in a visual representation of major developments to the automotive industry’s labour movement. We are so thrilled to have it in the collection!" SONYA JONES, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS
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ACQUISITIONS CONT. Isabel McLaughlin, Canadian, 1903-2002 Untitled n.d. ink on paper 35.2 x 43.7 cm Gift of the Estate of Isabel McLaughlin Sam Mogelonsky, Canadian b. 1983 Target Practice 2012 foam, sequins, pins 58.5 x 47.0 x 29.5 cm Gift of the artist Charles Morey, American/Canadian, 1927-2010 Untitled n.d. acrylic on Masonite 121.5 x 152.7 cm Gift of Jane Beecroft, Oshawa George Paginton, Canadian 1901-1988 Steam Engines c. 1955 oil on canvas board 40.6 x 50.8 cm Gift of Tony Paginton and Roswita Busskamp George Paginton, Canadian 1901-1988 Art School, Port Hope, Ontario c. 1928 oil on wood panel 35.2 x 30.2 cm Gift of Tony Paginton and Roswita Busskamp
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ACQUISITIONS CONT. Christine Pflug, Canadian, b. Germany, 1936-1972 Toronto from Centre Island II 1968 photolithograph on paper Gift of Michael Pflug Christine Pflug, Canadian, b. Germany, 1936-1972 Untitled (beach scene) 1971 photolithograph on paper Gift of Michael Pflug Christine Pflug, Canadian, b. Germany, 1936-1972 Over the Kitchen Sink 1968 silkscreen on paper Gift of Michael Pflug William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Flowers & Wine 1951 gouache and graphite on Masonite 7.6 x 50.2 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Hearthlightfall 1955 watercolour on paper 57.0 x 78.0 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Untitled 1958 50.5 x 65.1 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto
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watercolour on paper
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William Ronald (Canadian, 1926 - 1998), Central Black Move Over, 1985, acrylic on cotton, Gift of Leonard Sedun, 2018.
"The RMG, with its largest holdings of Painters Eleven in the world, will continue to prioritize collecting P11. This collection of work by William Ronald, strengthens the RMG’s existing collection of Ronald's work by filling in gaps in his career." SONYA JONES, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS
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ACQUISITIONS CONT. William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Untitled 1959 watercolour on paper 57.0 x 76.9 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Central Black Move Over 1985 acrylic on cotton 151.8 x 183.5 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Untitled 1986 watercolour on paper 55.2 x 77.0 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Gemini 1987 acrylic on canvas 91.2 x 91.0 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Untitled 1988 watercolour on paper 45.6 x 60.6 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto
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ACQUISITIONS CONT. William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Orsen I 1990 ink on paper 27.9 x 24.1 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto William Ronald, Canadian, 1926-1998 Untitled n.d. acrylic on canvas 121.5 x 91.4 cm Gift of Leonard Sedun, Toronto Pete Smith, b. 1975 Dougie’s Tree 2017 oil on canvas 183.0 x 152.1 cm Gift of the artist Nell Tenhaaf, Canadian, b. 1951 Apparatus for Self-Organization 2008 lightbox, incandescent lights, digital image Gift of Gary Evans Clemence Wescoupe, b. 1951 Untitled 1978 silkscreen on paper on paper Anonymous Gift Clemence Wescoupe, b. 1951 silkscreen on paper Anonymous Gift
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Untitled 1978
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PUBLIC NOTICE Disease reminds us of our mortality and permeability. While fear is a natural reaction to disease, cultural influences also make it a learned response. Inciting fear may inspire people to take precautions, helping to control transmission, but it also divides the healthy from the unhealthy, those who are willing to help from those who are not, and often fact from fiction. The artists’ work in Public Notice all deal with disease and illness from various perspectives, whether historical or racial, founded in loss and misunderstanding, or cultural and social influences. While fear often trumps understanding, the works in this exhibition remind us about the role empathy, education, and community play in challenging fear-based assumptions about disease Artists: Stephen Andrews, Ruth Cuthand, Alison Humphrey, Kim Morgan,
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Installation photograph of Public Notice. Photo by Toni Hafkenschied.
Abraham Anghik Ruben, Ho Tam, Elaine Whittaker.
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WHOSE HOME AND NATIVE LAND? This installation of the RMG’s permanent collection asks the question: Whose Home and Native Land? This takes into account not only the physical landscape, but those who have occupied it for thousands of years and those settlers whose traces can be measured in hundreds of years. This exhibition was a collaborative venture: we worked together with three Indigenous community members to frame the direction and content. They selected artworks from the permanent collection that left an impression, and responded, based on their lived experiences. Produced in partnership with Reagan Kennedy, Dawn Lavell-Harvard, and Alex Ranger The RMG is incredibly grateful to Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
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Installation photograph of Whose Home and Native Land? Photo by Toni Hafkenschied.
for their support of this exhibition.
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WHOSE HOME AND NATIVE LAND? Response to Artwork: "I’ve always admired Carl Beam’s work and credit his influence not only on my arts practice but also on how we think about Indigenous ways of knowing. When looking at Carl Beam’s work I think about the strength behind his personal story, as well as the unapologetic determination of his practice. Spaces such as this one have historically served to exclude the narratives and experiences of Indigenous peoples. I chose this piece by Carl Beam not only to pay respect to this generation of Indigenous artists, but also for the many Indigenous peoples who work tirelessly and often alone to break down barriers within large institutions." REAGAN KENNEDY
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Installation photograph of Whose Home and Native Land? Photo by Toni Hafkenschied.
View the video created for this exhibition here.
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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS David Bastedo Talk – October 25th As part of the lead-up to RMG Exposed: Good Vibrations, we invited co-host David Bastedo to give a talk to our audience about his experience as a photographer, including his journey with The Tragically Hip from the mid2000s to their final tour. It was very well attended and provided a number of ‘firsts’, including Erin Messier's first shift at the Gallery and Sam Powless's first time talking on a microphone in the Gallery. Exposed got some good exposure and it was a great way for our volunteer team to bond and learn about how events function at the Gallery. It was also an incredibly engaging talk, a version of which David performed to a sold out crowd in Kingston a few nights after, and many attendees had the chance to speak with David and share their own memories about The Hip, as well as their gratitude to
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David Bastedo Talk, October 25, 2018. Photo by AJ Groen.
David for coming to speak with them.
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COMMUNITY CONT. Holiday Artisan Market/Tree Lighting Lounge – November 16th In partnership with the City of Oshawa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, we put on a ‘Holiday Artisan Market’ which featured many of the RMG Shop’s consignment artisans at tables in the Lobby, and several other local artisans set-up in the Isabel Gallery. We also hosted a sold-out 19+ ‘Tree Lighting Lounge’ in Arthur’s on the Fourth; the lounge included food from Cork & Bean and Spicy Affairs, and coffee and goodies from Brew Wizards, who also provided some board games for our guests. The event was well attended and helped us break our single-day attendance record, with over 1100 guests coming into the space that Friday. Logistically, it also required a lot of volunteers and staff, who all performed incredibly well. Between Shop Associates, Event Support, and Gallery Attendants we had 18 volunteers of varying ages throughout the Gallery, including some new faces who adjusted quickly and admirably to the pace of things. The Isabel vendors at the Holiday Artisan Market, about half of whom had never been to the Gallery, were all thrilled with the turnout and were excited to talk about the possibility of doing something similar in the future. RMG Exposed – November 24th The big day! Over 150 guests attended the 2018 edition of our yearly fundraiser, and the auction revenue was the highest we had ever seen. RMG staff worked together like a well-oiled machine, and everyone felt comfortable and confident in their roles. David Bastedo was as charming as ever as co-host, and everyone responded well to the theme. Many compliments were paid to the steel pan music and the VIP lounge was vibrant, providing great networking opportunities for artists, sponsors and art buyers.
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2018 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS Alessandra Cirelli
Lucy Villeneuve
Alex Hutchinson
Madison Dusome
Alexandra Geropoulos
Marjorie Burnett
Alexandra Petrie
Martha Kidane
Alex Telfer
Matthew Serra
Ali Shaikh
Megan Wilk
Alyssia Nelson
Mike Drolet
Amaya Rojas
Natalie Rawe
Braedon Mathers
Pat Bayus
Carol Jerome
Natasha Powell
Chelsea Birnie
Rebecca Robinson
Christopher Williams
Richard Freeland
Christy Ferencz
Sam Shearman
Colin Burwell
Sarah Casey
Daniel Arnott
Steven Bland
Deb Ladd
Sydney-May Legault
Debbie Waker
Tiffany Dawe
Erin Messier
Tim Fyshe
Hannah Beattie
Ursula Lee
Hedore Gionet
Walter Vander Gronde
Hope Beattie
THANK YOU!
Jessica Wheelock
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"I value the gallery's artifacts for so much more than aesthetic now. Also, I feel a stronger tie to Oshawa's community and art culture." RMG VOLUNTEER "It has made me see how much of what I learned in school is actually applied in the programs that are run at the gallery. I am so happy that I have been able to be of help to the lovely people that run these programs!" RMG VOLUNTEER
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OUR SUPPORTERS Legacy Gifts
Monthly Giving Circle
Sean Bourdeau Rita Letendre Estate of F. Anne Redpath Tony Scherman Edward & Maria Schwartz Gordon Sedgewick Tim Whiten
Robin Austen & Melanie Brooks Paula Chevrier Judge Donald & Patricia Dodds Kevin Dougherty & Pat Vale-Dougherty Roanna Green Nancy Miller Donna Raetsen-Kemp Lisa & John Weiss Carrie & Ken Williamson
Leadership Gifts
Jane Beecroft Cheryl Blackman Stephen Bulger Pat & Leigh Butler Bob & Diane Chapman Judge Donald & Patricia Dodds Chris & Sue Hall William & Marion Irwin Arthur & Judy Lovell Sam Mogelonsky Noel Mowat Tony Paginton & Roswita Busskamp Michael Pflug Donna Raetsen-Kemp Pete Smith John & Lisa Weiss
In this report, we gratefully recognize gifts received between January 2018 – May 2019.
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OUR SUPPORTERS CONT. Personal Gifts Lester & Denise Allick Miles & Stephanie Beatty Shashi Bhatia Nesrin Blair John & Judith Bowman Ian Briggs Elizabeth Brighton Karen Burwell Doris Cherkas Bradley Crase & Family Robert Desjardins Gordon & Marilyn Dowsley Fraser Elliott Ann Galbraith Gary Genosko Loreen Greer H. Armour Hanna Carol Jerome Irja Ketola Kerri King
Ronald & Melanie Kitchen Gel & Ruth Lafarga Paula Lishman Angelika Littlefield Jess MacGregor Carin Makuz Lois McDonald Brian Morimoto Gerard O'Neill & Deb Ladd Olivia Petrie Frank Politano Elaine Regas Ken & Michelle Reinhardt Brenda Richardson Joan Sanderson Fred & Beverley Schaeffer Jocelyn Shaw Ron Stuart Anthony & Debra Waker Margaret Wilkinson Phil & Barbara Wooding
Our gratitude to those who remain Anonymous.
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OUR SUPPORTERS CONT. Corporate & Community Gifts Companies Who Care Ontario Power Generation Mendum Wealth Management RBC Commercial Financial Services RBC Dominion Securities Durham College IPM Independent Project Managers Tribute Communities All or Nothing Brewhouse & Distillery Allegra Pickering AWCCU Financial Barry Bryan Associates Beau's Brewing Co. Berry Hill Charlotte Hale & Associates
Empty Cup Media Farm & Wild Henry's Camera - Oshawa King West Landscape Contracting Ltd. Mason Bennett Johncox Professional Corporation Mississauga’s of Scugog Island First Nation MNP Accounting Nick Swerdfeger Architects Inc. Oshawa Centre Oshawa West Home Hardware Peacock Lumber Ltd. PMB Professional Mortgage Brokers Inc. Rotary Club of Oshawa Parkwood
Foundation Gifts & Grants Canada Council for the Arts Ontario Arts Council RBC Foundation Trillium Foundation
A special thanks to the City of Oshawa
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Andrew Foundation Canadian Heritage Canadian Museums Association Durham Community Foundation Government of Canada Government of Ontario Ontario Museums Association
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"I love that we have this place in Oshawa. Small gallery with local artists and the OPG sponsors a monthly art project for kids. We’ve been twice & love it. The volunteers are amazing & there’s always lots of space & products to use. Highly recommend!" FACEBOOK REVIEW, 2018 "An excellent multi-gallery space, but more importantly - a staff and resources dedicated to the development of the arts in Oshawa for all levels and ages of participants. Check out an "RMG Friday" on the first Friday of every month to see exactly what this amazing facility does for Oshawa."
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FACEBOOK REVIEW, 2018
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LEARNING + ENGAGEMENT Learning and Engagement offers a wide scope of educational workshops, and activities for schools and the community that employ first-rate instruction, fine art processes, and exploration of our exhibitions, other artists and Big Ideas in the world around us. The innovative ways we present art develops children’s understanding of many different subjects by expanding concepts beyond their horizon, and supporting them to develop personal reasoning, as well as apply their learning to life in our times.  21st Century Learning practices are holistic throughout the RMG, and play an active role in the design of activities; respect, openness, risk, curiosity and collaboration are central to our values and at the heart of what we do. Our ambition is to create access points and environments for learning that connect our audiences to lived experiences and push forward our practice. Programming is developed to make a difference to arts-learning more broadly, breaking down conventional perceptions for inclusive, and
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Learning and Engagement Assistant, Jessica Gouldthorp, works with young workshop participants in the Studio, 2018.
meaningful participation in visual arts for our public.
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GALLERY A + ART LAB BIAD: UNMASKING BRAIN INJURY Last year we partnered with the Brain Injury Association of Durham Region (BIAD) to exhibit masks and stories created by their members which reflected their distinct realities of living with a brain injury. The exhibition and opening reception attracted a significant audience and raised awareness of the important work BIAD does in the community. The 2018 exhibition and accompanying catalogue deepened our partnership with BIAD, allowing us to work with them again this year, in 2019, on another mask project. "It was an overwhelmingly emotional experience for all involved. We covered the entire spectrum of human emotion over those five months. While the participants gave their invisible disability a face they themselves faced a rollercoaster of emotions along the way. There was much laughter, anger and tears throughout the process and we hope for many a new layer of healing has begun." LIZ STUBBERT, DAY SERVICE SUPERVISOR
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Installation photograph of Unmasking Brain Injury depicting participants masks and personal stories, 2018.
THE BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF DURHAM REGION
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"Amazing counsellors and program! Many mediums used and works of art created. Loved the active dance art show it was the best one I have seen! It was creative, interesting, fun and well choreographed! Thank you for all you do. We love the RMG program for our boys." SUMMER CAMP TESTIMONIALS, 2018 "I loved the variety of media and styles used. My daughter never expressed that she was disappointed with her art either, she could not wait to explain each project to us. Great balance between fine art and age appropriate art."
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SUMMER CAMP TESTIMONIALS, 2018
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OPG SUNDAYS In 2018, OPG Sundays had 1715 total participants with March Break Madness being the best attended at 759 participants; this was a day long OPG funded
Families enjoy making art with their kids at our popular OPG Sunday events, 2018.
event during March Break.
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IDEAS DIGITAL FORUM The Ideas Digital Forum 2018 was a two-day symposium held in partnership with the Ontario Association of Art Galleries and The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in response to the ever evolving digital ecosystem of contemporary Canadian Art. Senior leadership of these art galleries, funding agencies, artists, and curators are focused on learning how to effectively use this digital technology to help create, engage, and deliver on the core business of public art galleries. This symposium provided an opportunity to pause, pivot, and reimagine how artists and galleries respond more effectively to the challenges, issues, and opportunities of the digital era. We are grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their
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Panel discussion at the Ideas Digital Forum, 2018. Photo by Empty Cup Media.
support of Ideas Digital Forum 2018.
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2018/2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board Executive
Board of Directors
Kevin Dougherty, Chair
Shashi Bhatia
Cheryl Blackman, Vice Chair
Shaun Downey
Mary Simpson, Interim Treasurer Georgia Fullerton Gerard O'Neil, Secretary
Tracy Greig
Olivia Petrie, Past Chair
Carrie Williamson Nick Swerdfeger
Council's Representative Councillor Derek Giberson Councillor Bob Chapman
Exterior photograph of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Photo by AJ Groen
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2018/2019 RMG STAFF Administration + Communications Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Chief Executive Officer Roanna Green, Manager of Finance and Administration Stephen Dick, Manager of Protection Services Lucas Cabral (2018) Ingrid Forster (2019), Communications and Digital Media Lead Elsy Gould, Visitor Services and Membership Coordinator Cheryl-Ann Zamulinski, Event and Venue Rentals Coordinator Melanie Brooks, Development Manager Samuel Powless, Manager of Community and Volunteer Development Carla Sinclair, Manager of Community and Volunteer Development (Maternity Leave) Jillian Sanders, HR, Payroll, and Administrative Assistant Exhibitions + Collections Leila Timmins, Curator and Manager, Exhibitions and Collections Sonya Jones, Curator of Collections Linda Jansma, Senior Curator Mike Drolet (2018-19), Jason Dankel (2018), Preparator and Facilities Lead Erin Messier, Community Development Assistant Learning + Engagement Saira Knowles, Manager of Learning and Engagement Jennifer Welch, Family and Learning Lead
Hannah Keating (2019), Gallery A and Artist Incubator Lab Coordinator Maureen Marshall/Courtney Skovira (2018), Gallery A Coordinator
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Jessica Gouldthorp, Learning and Engagement Assistant
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ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | 48
CLOSING STATEMENT In closing, we are truly excited about the transformative journey we have embarked upon and what the future will bring for the RMG. We are eager to continue to deepen and expand our relationships with - and facilitate connections between - artists, community members and the broader arts and culture ecosystem. It will be through these connections and our collective contributions that Oshawa and Durham Region will flourish through arts, culture and greater community connection and resiliency.
The 2018 audited financials are available as a separate attachment to the Annual Report. To request a copy of the audited financials, please email
GMR
Carla Sinclair and Will McGuirk at RMG Fridays, 2018.
us at communications@rmg.on.ca or call 905.576.3000