AUTUMN 2015
Volume 2, Issue 3
In THIS ISSUE:
2 4 5Staff Chat 7Your Visit @reddeermuseum 8#familyfriendly 9Things To Do… With Our Sisters Recap 10Walking Celebrate 12Kid’s Crocky Rocky, Prairie Fairy What’s On
Looking for things to do?
JIM WESTERGARD
Crocky Rocky Prairie Fairy The Artist as Captain Canuck | 2003, wood engraving
Your Museum : with Lorna, E.D. @ the MAG What an incredible summer it has been! The moving and inspiring experience of Walking With Our Sisters has had an impact on many lives. Our community came together to weep over the tragedy of the missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and to find healing in the caring embrace of ceremony, friends and the community. The legacy of this project will continue at the MAG. We have learned the value of
community conversations, and we have learned how to empower community members to tell their own stories. Our sincere thanks to the many volunteers who gave so generously of their time and love and caring to make sure that our community honoured the lives of the missing and murdered women in the right way. …continued on the back cover
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Crocky Rocky Prairie Fairy
The Artist as Captain Canuck | 2003, wood engraving
PRINTS & DRAWINGS BY JIM WESTERGARD
OCTOBER 10TH, 2015 TO JANUARY 31ST, 2016 OPENING RECEPTION OCTOBER 18TH, 2015 AT 2PM A retrospective look into the lively mind and prolific imagination of Red Deer artist and illustrator, Jim Westergard.
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Crocky Rocky, Fairy Prairie: Prints and Drawings by Jim Westergard
Sgt.Preston of the Mounted (Ret) 1985, colour wood engraving
A practice defined not only by a high degree
A retrospective look into the mind and prolific imagination of Red Deer artist and author, Jim Westergard. An accomplished printmaker and renderer of superb drawings (coloured pencil, pen & ink, oil) this exhibition highlights the work of this artist’s 35 year artistic practice in Red Deer. A practice defined not only by a high degree of technical ability and craft but also by its wit, humour and appreciation for the strange, the uncanny and the downright ridiculous. Through his individual works and book illustrations, Jim is at times a raconteur, at others, a playful dispenser of images that fool the eye. Summary by Curator, Mary-Beth Laviolette
of technical ability and craft but also by its wit,
OPENING RECEPTION + TALK:
humour and appreciation for the strange, the
Reception will continue at the White Gallery on Ross St, 4924 50ST, Red Deer, AB.
uncanny and the downright ridiculous.
Star-Nosed Mole, 2014, wood engraving
OCTOBER 18, 2015 AT 2PM at the MAG
Moonrise To Port, 1990, oil on paper
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What’s On
Visit www.reddeermuseum.com For Exhibit Information.
The King will take off his hat
to the Canadians
October 24, 2015 to February 7, 2016 at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
Detail of The Artist as Captain Canuck | 2003, wood engraving
Crocky Rocky Prairie Fairy PRINTS & DRAWINGS BY JIM WESTERGARD
OCTOBER 10TH, 2015 TO JANUARY 31ST, 2016 OPENING RECEPTION OCTOBER 18TH, 2015 AT 2PM
REDDEERMUSEUM.COM | 403-309-8405
Anything mail can do, eMail can do better!
The MAGnet is going
paperless!
In an effort to be more environmentally conscious while continuing to give you the most up to date information about all that is happening here at the MAG, this will be the last paper version of our newsletter. Special invitations and our Annual Report will still be mailed out to highlight the work that is done and collection/exhibit features. If you still wish to receive a paper events calendar, pop into the MAG or give us a call at 403-309-8405 and we’ll make sure through snow and sleet and wind and hail it finds its way to your mailbox. Visit www.reddeermuseum.com and click on the envelope icon at the top to be added to our e-mail list. 4
4525 47A Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 6Z6 www.reddeermuseum.com 403-309-8405 @reddeermuseum fb.com/RedDeerMuseumandArtGallery
Major H.L. Gaetz on horseback, C. 1915, Red Deer & District Archives, P2503
RED DEER AND THE GREAT WAR – 1915
Collection Storage Project Volunteers A dedicated group of volunteers has been assisting with the small object consolidation. Their assistance has been invaluable to the progress of the project: gathering like-objects, arranging them into compact arrangements, and documenting information needed for the electronic database. Each week the objects they encounter have been a springboard for conversation and interesting dialogue on the subject of material culture. Visit reddeermuseum.com for info on volunteering with us. We acknowledge the financial support of the Alberta Museums Association and the Government of Canada.
Thank you to our 2015 Summer Students
Thank you to all of our Summer Students this year for their hard work. Together our students worked on collections storage, partnered with C.A.R.E. for World Refugee Day, assisted with Walking With Our Sisters and much more! Communications Assistants: Sierra Bilton, Trystan Wiszowaty Registration Assistants: Timothy Arthur, Kristen Curry We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada for the Young Canada Works Program and Canada Summer Jobs programs.
I was very pleased to be offered the chance to work at the MAG
Timothy Arthur in our collections area
What our visitors are saying...
for the summer. My job as Registration Assistant allowed me
“So much fun!”
to interact with so many interesting artifacts in the collection.
“I like the museum. The exhibits are all good. It was all interesting. I enjoyed myself.”
I always felt that I was making an important contribution, and I learned a lot along the way! The MAG is full of wonderful people, and I was thrilled to join their ranks, however briefly. – Timothy Arthur on his experience at the MAG
ASK Melanie Melanie has spent years working directly with the museum’s collections and therefore has extensive knowledge in various areas. The Collections represent a broad sample of materials related to the City and surrounding districts in of Central Alberta.
can I safely store some of my Q: How small trinkets and collectibles?
A:
Because the collection represents the history and values of the Red Deer Community, many of the objects in our storage space are the same as those in your home. Storage challenges faced at the museum, then, are not unlike those experienced by personal collectors. The first phase of the Collection Storage Project at the museum includes dealing with
the consolidation of small objects, including Christmas ornaments. As at home, we want to store these decorations safely but easily accessible. Our best solution has been to store these ornaments in divided trays that fit inside likesized boxes. Museum standards and professional ethics demand that we use chemically stable and acid-free materials but home collectors can
justify more cost-effective solutions such as commercially-available Christmas ornament boxes. The trays can be used to store a wide variety of small collections. Just make sure that you buy enough boxes so that many of the same size and style can be stacked or placed neatly on shelves.
Check out an example of Simple Ornament Storage at bit.ly/ornamentstorage 5
COLLECTION Connections
The stories behind the objects
Vintage Glamour! Coming in the fall of 2016
In the fall of 2016 the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery will lay out the finest of its clothing and textile collection. The exhibit will feature two galleries of clothing, accessories and jewelry rarely seen by the public.
The exhibit is co-curated by Morris Flewwelling who is largely responsible for building this collection. It is the largest held by the MAG and considered to be the fifth largest in the country.
Victorian Brooch Victorian brooch with the circular body backed with a lock of human hair under glass cover and with clasp. The front is a wound filigree surrounding an eight sided indentation with interior sphere, and with twenty graduated and tapered linked drops, gold filled, c.1880. Acc: 1981.58.15
Cameo Brooch Late Victorian Lapel Pin Late Victorian lapel pin in the form of a coiled snake, ornamented with five graduating turquoise glass cabochons and pair ruby glass eyes (gold filled). c.1880. Acc: 1987.133.57
Cameo brooch/pendant with carved pastel pink shell depicting classical female figure. The bezel is 10K or gold filled (not marked), H.H.F. with locking clasp and a fold down pendant loop, Italy. Early/ mid 20th century. Together with eighteen inch 10K gold box link chain. In vintage Birks box. Acc: 1985.79.5
If you have any questions about the Collections or the upcoming Glamour exhibit, please contact Val Miller at 403-309-8405 6
Your Visit
Bring the family, Bring your friends!
Ross (49) Street
Monday – Friday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm; Weekends, 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
e Driv
47-A Avenue
lor Tay
QE II Highway
Gaetz Ave.nue
Galleries Open: Golden Circle
Holiday Hours:
Open Remembrance Day, 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Business Hours:
Free!
45 Street Recreation Centre
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
It’s easy to find us - lots of free parking!
32 Street
The MAG is in the same location as the downtown Recreation
Free! Centre and the Golden Circle Seniors Resource Centre.
Honouring Our Veterans For November 11
Rememberance Day Open 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
BOOK OUR SPACE
The Stewart Discovery Room
Join us for light refreshments and tour in the gallery.
!
Looking for a space to hold your event?
Book it at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery! Located in the heart of downtown Red Deer, with ample free parking and great break out space, there’s no better place to hold your next event! Special rates for registered Non-Profits apply. For more information, please call us at (403) 309-8405 or email us at museum@reddeer.ca
Room
Rate During Business Hours
Rate After Business Hours
Capacity
Board Room
$20 per hour, $100 daily max.
$30 per hour, two hour min. booking
15 people
Stewart Discovery Room
$50 per hour, $200 daily max.
$75 per hour, two hour min. booking
70 People
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@REDDEERMUSEUM
#FAMILYFRIENDLY
Visit Our website for dates and information www.reddeermuseum.com for more details, or call 403-309-8405.
$25//Dcahyild
$F 30
/child /day
For Me mbers
or nonmember s
Themes & Dates Dates scheduled match school division’s PD Calendar. Designed for children ages 6 to 12 (Grades 1 to 6).
Culture
September 18th
Inventor’s Workshop October 9th or 23rd
Drop off 8:30-9:00 am; pick up 4:00-4:30 pm.
Comic Books and Print
Download, print and submit registration form to the MAG. Original signatures required - must be completed in person. NO faxed applications.
November 12th, 13th or 23st
Christmas
AGES
December 4th
6 12 to
Full Descriptions online at www.reddeerMuseum.com/programs Playtime @ the Museum!
Wednesday mornings, 9:30 to 11am » $3 per child/$2 members, adults free » Enjoy craft time and playtime for parents & tots » Programed for children 18 months to 4 years. Call 403-309-8405 for more information!
NEW! For Ages Months To Years
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Saturdays, 1:00 – 4:00 pm We supply the artist, inspiration and materials, you supply your imagination!
For AgeYesars
5 12 To
8
Sept 19 Sept 26 Oct 3 Oct 10 Oct 24 Oct 31
Once Upon A Time Exciting Encaustics Indigenous Inventions Fanciful Feasts Traditional ‘Day of the Dead’ Activity Bring Your Own Pumpkin
Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 Dec 5 Dec 12 Dec 19
Remembrance Day Wreaths Heroic Headgear Magical Mazes Minion Mania Kapow! Blam! Zoink? Ice Cold Art A Merry Little Christmas
Things TO DO
Visit www.reddeermuseum.com to see program dates and activities .
UPCOMING FALL EVENTS ‘Dia de los Muertos’
Mon & Wed afternoons 1- 3 pm
Sunday, November 1st 2-4pm Join us for “Dia de los Muertos” or ‘Day of the Dead’, a traditional Mexican celebration. Participate in Crafts, enjoy snacks & learn about the history of the ‘Day of the Dead’ Altar that will be on display. All ages welcome! Free to attend.
A peaceful studio space where participants can express themselves in creative ways.
Stories of Springbrook Sunday, November 22, 2PM – 4PM You’re invited to listen to stories of the history of Springbrook (‘old Penhold base) as recounted by Jodi Smith and Gary Holman of the Harvard Historical Aviation Society. Free to attend. The Harvard Historical Aviation Society provides interactive and educational programming to commemorate and celebrate the unique history of the Penhold Military Base, the Bowden Military Base and the Red Deer Airport.
Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 6, 1-4PM Drop in for some holiday cheer at the MAG! Socialize, make art and enjoy hot chocolate with us.
3rd Tuesday of each month 10am - 11:30am
Reminisce, Socialize, Create Art in the AM is a facilitated program for people with memory issues and their care partners. Tuesday, October 20 Tuesday, November 17 Tuesday, December 15 $5 per pair
ART in the AM is a program of the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery developed in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society-Red Deer Office. It is generously sponsored by Red Deer Rotary.
Contact The MAG for information at (403)309-8405 or www.reddeermuseum.com
We supply the studio and materials. Oct 5, 7 Oct 14, 19, 21 Oct 26, 28 Nov 2, 4, 9 Nov 16, 18, 23 Nov 25
‘Coffee Time’ Imaginative Portraits Paint ‘n Shine Snow, Snow, Snow! Holiday Cards Decorate your tree
$3.00/person/class no pre-registration required Membership available to persons with disabilities for $50/year. Developed for Persons with Developmental Disabilities; Everyone welcome!
Reel Movie Mondays
Red Deer TIFF Film Circuit Group Organized by the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
Fall Series - Mondays, 7:00 pm. Advance tickets on sale at the MAG. Oct 5 Oct 19 Oct 28 Nov 2 Nov 16 Nov 30
Jimmy’s Hall Learning To Drive Special Feature, Young Frankenstein Coming Home Grandma Remember
Films screened at Carnival Cinemas, visit www.reelmoviemondays.ca for details.
Reel Movie Mondays gratefully acknowledges our partnership with Film Circuit, presented by TIFF and its sponsors and supporters.
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Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers as well as the many community donors that helped to transform the space and host the Bundle, in a good way. Volunteer Appreciation Tea, Sunday October 4th, from 1-3pm
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memorial installation dedicated to the over 1200 missing and murdered First Nations women in the past 20 years throughout Canada. Walking With Our Sisters came to The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery in June of 2015 and stayed with us for a memorable three weeks; June 1-21st. Over 2400 people walked with the sisters and witnessed the moving sorrow and beauty of the 1763+ moccasin vamps displayed. Each pair of vamps in the bundle represents one unfinished life cut short much too soon.
while gaining what feels like an electric momentum. Thanks to all that joined, that travelled and for the gifts of sacred medicines. We will continue to push forward." - Corky LarsenJonasson, Lead Elder, Walking With Our Sisters Red Deer.
Community Conversations began well before the Walking With Our Sisters Bundle came to Red Deer and continued throughout the installations time here. The purpose of the conversations was to launch open discussions around the difficult topic of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Installation of the Bundle would not have been made possible without the support of our 276 dedicated volunteers. Installation ran for three full days in the gallery space. Our community came together in a wonderful way.
"I am humbled, thankful, overwhelmed and encouraged all at the same time as I have a few moments to collect myself in the quiet after our seventh Community Conversation. New faces each time, stronger voices and beautiful teachings all
The Men's Committee was committed to ensuring the Sacred Fire burned for three full days and four nights, morning and night, prior to installation and following closing day. Their support throughout the entire process has been a cherished cornerstone.
An important part of both installation and continuing the ceremony is the medicines and the smudging. Without this daily practice, the ceremony would never have happened. A huge part of this process was learning about each other and practicing respect for age old ways. Towards the end of the day a young boy about 11yrs came in. Tagging along was a somewhat bewildered looking, and much smaller friend. After observing all protocol they walked with the sisters very respectfully. And then both sat down on 2 chairs by the shoes when out of the lodge. At different times our keeper approached them, asked how they were feeling. When Barb (volunteer de-briefer) asked if they'd like to talk to someone, they immediately said yes. In the quiet room, the taller boy said he came because of his aunty who passed because of a vehicle accident stating her husband drove head on into a semi on purpose because he was angry. He said she was his favorite, closest aunty that he stayed with her all the time and they had fun and she spoiled him. I listened as he calmly told his story with focus. Both boys sat very still. When I asked the friend how he felt about all this, he said “oh I’m okay, I've heard about this a lot from him." He said he just came to support his buddy. After a smudge and a prayer we went for a snack and they sat with Bertha the kokom. From there they went to the tipi and the men took over. The boys stayed in the tipi a long time then left for home with some goods the men gave them. And now... they are coming back tomorrow to help. It just keeps coming
– Corky Larsen-Jonasson Lead Elder, Walking With Our Sisters Red Deer.
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The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery hosted Kids Celebrate! from July 11 to Sept 27, 2015. This new travelling exhibit from the Canadian Museum of History, designed specifically for kids, showcased 12 different cultural celebrations observed in Canada each year. Kids Celebrate! provided a chance for children and their families to come and take part in different activities, both in and outside of the exhibit, and helped further their connection to different cultures. Through the course of the exhibit, the museum offered additional programming that built on the similarities identified through traditions and activities within Kids Celebrate! Every Tuesday afternoon we held Cultural Creation Labs where families could come and learn about a different celebration every week and create art that was inspired by that celebration.
There were 5 Sunday afternoons during the 3 month exhibition where families could enjoy different activities connected to the 4 seasons. The final Sunday afternoon we held a birthday party for Red Deer. The exhibit and connected programming was well attended throughout the summer.
Some of the feedback that we received was: “Interesting and Innovative” “Most definitely something everyone can enjoy” “We had such a fun day!”
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage, through their Museums Assistance Program, Exhibition Circulation Fund.
Your Museum : continued from Page 1 Kids Celebrate! welcomed children and families to the MAG over the summer, and it engaged them in learning about the holidays and celebrations of many different cultures. We presented a busy schedule of activities, thanks to a grant from Canadian Heritage. It was great to see that exhibition had many visitors and was filled with lots of activity and laughter. This fall we will present a look into the creative imagination of Jim Westergard. A printmaker who is noted for his extraordinary wood engravings, Jim has an amazing imagination and he gleans inspiration for his work from sources as diverse as old comic books and the natural
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4525 - 47A Avenue Red Deer, AB T4N 6Z6 museum@reddeer.ca Phone: 403.309.8405 Fax: 403.342.6644
word. Crocky Rocky, Prairie Fairy: The Works of Jim Westergard, continues the MAG’s efforts to document the rich history of the visual arts in Central Alberta. Visitors to the MAG will notice some changes this fall. Our building will receive a much-needed facelift. The cedar squares that have been in place for the past 40 years will be replaced with a colorful façade with colours that are inspired by the Gallery Concept mural that was applied to building’s north side last year. The facelift will include attractive signage that will identify the building. Meanwhile, our busy program of activities for visitors of all ages will continue. Everyone is welcome!
www.reddeermuseum.com fb.com/RedDeerMuseumAndArtGallery @RedDeerMuseum
The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery is grateful to the City of Red Deer and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for their financial support.