Studio 2009 Catalogue - Al Green Sculpture Studio School

the al green gallery
The Al Green Gallery
The Al Green Gallery was founded by Canadian
r e a l - e s t a t e d e v e l o p e r, s c u l p t o r, a n d
philanthropist, Al Green. The gallery was initially
created to showcase the work of fellow
sculptors, and in particular, member artists of
the Sculptors Society of Canada, and his
sculpture school, the Al Green Sculpture Studio.
The newly renovated Al Green Gallery,
will
continue to embrace Mr Green's dedication to
sculpture, but will broaden its focus to include a
range of artistic disciplines such as painting,
photography and new media arts. The gallery
will provide a venue for artists, many of whom
have limited opportunities to exhibit their work,
while also raising awareness and funds for
diverse charitable causes.
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Al Green Sculpture Studio
The Al Green Sculpture Studio, now in it's
tenth year, is a unique, non-profit centre for
creative expression and artistic
development. Designed for adults whose
talents range from novice to professional,
the primary emphasis is on additive
sculpture, with occasional workshops,
demonstrations and field trips being offered
as a means of broadening artistic skills and
experience. A founding goal of the studio is
to bring principles of sculpture to individuals
who want more involvement with the
medium and to provide more studio time
than is easily available at traditional facilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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I would like to thank the many
Co-Curators: Lindy Green and
Event Photography:
Special thanks to the Green
individuals and volunteers for
Melanie Chikofsky
Annie Daynes
Family for their guidance and
helping make the inaugural
Invitation Graphics:
Sculpture Photography:
support.
show at The Al Green Gallery a
Dean Povinsky
Cat O’Niel
great success.
Set up and Lighting:
Book Design:
Lindy Green
John McBride, Brian Meeson,
Melanie Chikofsky
Director
Gregory Gue
Floral Design: John MacBride
AL GREEN BIOGRAPHY
Abraham (Al) Green is exceptional in many ways.
As co-founder of Greenwin
Construction, he helped develop and shape the urban landscape of Toronto. Early
on he earned the nickname “Dream Maker”.
He is a renowned and tireless
philanthropist, recently honoured with the Order of Canada for his devotion to
community service.
His vision and unique talents are evident in his artistic work as well. For more than
thirty years, Green has devoted himself to sculpture. He began sculpting at Central
Technical School in 1966 and the following year founded his first of many shared
studios. He was encouraged by artist and friend Maryon Kantaroff and together, in
1972, they opened Toronto’s first art foundry at 64 Merton Street.
Green found his artistic voice quickly, pursuing his cubistic and angular style with
confidence and a strong technical ability. His creations range from small delicate
pieces which highlight his deft hand, to grand oversized works which are his
passion. His work holds a presence and emotional power that were recognized
immediately by his peers. During his career as a sculptor, he worked extensively
not only with Kantaroff but with renowned artist Sorel Etrog among others.
Over the years Green was fortunate to have a number of studios, including a
portable wax studio housed in a standard leather briefcase. In 1996, he opened
the Al Green Sculpture Gallery as a place to showcase his own works as well as
those of fellow artists. In 2000, he founded the Al Green Sculpture Studio, fulfilling
a desire to provide an open, accessible environment in which sculptors could work
and learn. Green has completed many large commissioned projects and has
donated a significant number of sculptures to a variety of charities. He continues to
remain involved in arts organizations and sits on the boards of The Canadian
Sculptors’ Society of Canada and The Art Gallery of Ontario.
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PIANIST
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BASS PLAYER
GUITARIST
HORN PLAYER
FIDDLER
ACCORDION PLAYER
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DIFFICULT ASCENT
EMERGING TOWER
CLIMBING TOWER
PARTNERS FOR LIFE
BOLT OF LIGHTNING
RISING MIST
TOUCHING HEAVEN
GRACEFUL ASCENT
RECIPROCAL DISCS
STEP TOWER
UNDULATING TOWER
BALL TOWER
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LIPA GREEN
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EMBRACE
NATIVE TOTEM
FEMME HOMMAGE
MENORAH
CHAI
PUSHER BOOK ENDS
SQUATTING WOMEN
JACOB'S LADDER
CACTUS SERIES
TWO DANCERS
SMALL FIGURES
RELIGIOUS SERIES
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SQUATTING WOMAN CUBIST
SQUATTING WOMAN REALISTIC
KNEELING WOMAN
ECSTASY
MOANING WOMAN
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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE
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GOLFER
PITCHER
BATTER
TENNIS PLAYER
CATCHER
BASKETBALL PLAYER
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MULTIPLE ARCHES
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OPENING NIGHT
The opening night reception was a tremendous success and
despite the shutdown of the Toronto Subway system that same
evening, was attended by over 250 guests! Artists, friends,
family and members of the art and business communities
mingled together in the newly renovated gallery space, enjoyed
fine food and wine while viewing the exciting inaugural sculpture
exhibit. The history of the gallery and future vision was shared
with the crowd in an opening speech by gallery director, Lindy
Green. Ms. Green recognized the accomplishments of gallery
and school founder Al Green and presented him with a book of
tributes created by artists of his studio school. This tribute book
was on display in the gallery and guests had the pleasure of
viewing it. Melanie Chikofsky, director of the Al Green Studio
School was also shown appreciation for her dedication to the
studio and was presented with an Al Green bronze sculpture.
The show was well received and many guests returned with
friends and referrals throughout the duration of the show.
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Al Green Sculpture Studio Artists
ELLEN BLANKSTEIN
THEA CARVEL
DOROTHY CHAN
MELANIE CHIKOFSKY
GARSON CONN
J. CROWDER
PENNY FIKSEL
GERARD GODIN
GREGORY GUE
TOOTSIE HALBERT
SARAH HASTIE
CRYSTAL HAWK
W.W. HUNG
JANET HUNTER
INGE JOHNSON
PHYLLIS LIPMAN
JOHN MACBRIDE
BRIAN MEESON
HERSHEL OKUN
RUTH LOVE PAISLEY
VIRGINIA PETEHERYCH
DEAN POVINSKY
JAN QUINLAN
JANET RAVIN
GLORIA ROBINS
DONA SAUNDERS
PHILIPPA STEPHENSON
LORNE WINTERS
DONNA ZEKAS
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GLORIA ROBINS
CHEQUE $5000 MATE
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PENNY FIKSEL
FLORA ANTIQUUS
ELLEN BLANKSTEIN
ROBE # 14
CRYSTAL HAWK
ABSTRACT 145
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SARAH HASTIE
THE ANGEL PIPER
VIRGINIA PETEHERYCH
SELF PORTRAIT
PHYLLIS LIPMAN
HANDY MAN
GARSON CONN
WOOD YOU BELIEVE
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W.W. HUNG
YEARNING
PHILIPPA STEPHENSON
OONA
RUTH LOVE PAISLEY
FEMININE MYSTIC
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JOHN MACBRIDE
CROSSCUT
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GREGORY GUE
L'HUMILITED'UN HOMME
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BRIAN MEESON
TSUNAMI
MELANIE CHIKOFSKY
THREADBARE
GERARD GODIN
CANTEROFF
DONNA ZEKAS
MUSE
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JAN QUINLAN
LES PETITES
HERSHEL OKUN
BORGO OGNISSANTI
DONA SAUNDERS
GODDESS OF SURPRISE &
DELIGHT
TOOTSIE HALBERT
TENSION
THEA CARVEL
BOTSWANNA OSTRICH
DOROTHY CHAN
ABABESQUE
JANET RAVIN
L'HOMMAGE
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DEAN POVINSKY
ALBRECHT
LORNE WINTERS
IT IS WRITTEN
J. CROWDER
ABSTRACT TWIST
JANET HUNTER
DAPHNE
INGE JOHNSON
PLAY, GRACE, SLUMBER
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"STUDIO" OPENING RECEPTION NOVEMBER 18, 2009