Curator's report - 7th annual easter art tour

Easter 2013 on Salt Spring Island marked the opening of the 7th annual Easter Art Tour. A total of 31 galleries, special exhibits and artist studios took part this year. Four noted deceased Salt Spring artists were the focus of this years' anchor exhibit in historic Mahon Hall in Ganges. Over 525 visitors enjoyed a survey of the work of Gordon Caruso, Allan Crane, Deboragh Gainer and LeRoy Jensen which opened on Friday, March 29 and ran through Easter Sunday, March 31, 10-5 daily. 

The opening reception was a wonderful gathering of the friends and families of the artist's, joined by art enthusiasts from both on and off island. Special VIP guest Elizabeth May was in attendance and, never one to make a photo-op and then leave, she stayed the entire evening, graciously meeting and talking with the guests. Of this exhibit, press material quoted me as saying that,

"this is the first time that deceased artists have been the subject for the feature exhibit. it is a tremendous honour to work with the estates of these artists, some of whom i considered personal friends." 

As a curator, working with the artist is a whole different experience than working with the families. Every single family member I met through selecting the art while organizing this exhibit, is a new friend. I can't express in words the joy and mutual admiration I felt when I met each person in turn, from the youthful to the aged. It was a whole new Easter experience for me, a reminder that Easter is a family time. 

As successful as it was on so many levels, I am really happy to say that we sold a record number of artworks. My deepest gratitude and congratulations goes to the purchasers. Every cent of the money went to either the families, or to a small commission to benefit the Salt Spring Arts Council for its own programs. It was, agreed by many, a beautifully installed exhibit and sits as one of my own personal favourites. (Next years exhibit will be interesting, three years in the making....more to follow)

I want to thank more than a few people. First to all the participants on the tour, the galleries and the shops with special exhibits and to the artists who opened their studios, some continuing from the very first tour. Thanks also to those who sent emails for me and got things printed and helped fix things and ran errands and drove me around and raised money and interviewed me and covered the event with photos and published articles and especially to the volunteers who sat the exhibit with me throughout the weekend!!!!! So. Many. People. I thank you very much. And to co-sponsors the Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce and co-organizers Susan Wetmore and Genevieve Price, a dream team!