This body of work features historical female Alberta artists. As a long-time resident and female artist in Alberta, I have felt the challenges that women face in the art world today, with an understanding that in the past the challenges were even greater. Researching archives opens the doors to the history of the women artists that contributed to the growth of arts in Alberta.
I studied Art & Design in the mid-1980s where women artists were not really discussed and, when I enrolled in art history classes during the pandemic, I was surprised to learn that there is still not much information about female artists in the curriculum. There is even less information about female artists specific to Alberta.
For several years I have created projects that consist of a number of small painted portraits (6x8, 8x10, 7x14) in order to create series but have been inspired to increase the size of the portraits for this project by exploring the use of larger substrates (watercolour sheets or cradled panels). Like Georgia O’Keeffe intended with her paintings of flowers, I want to invite the viewer to stop and learn about these important women.
Finally, I want to thank the Archivists at the Galt Museum, Whyte Museum and Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives at the Banff Centre for their assistance.
I studied Art & Design in the mid-1980s where women artists were not really discussed and, when I enrolled in art history classes during the pandemic, I was surprised to learn that there is still not much information about female artists in the curriculum. There is even less information about female artists specific to Alberta.
For several years I have created projects that consist of a number of small painted portraits (6x8, 8x10, 7x14) in order to create series but have been inspired to increase the size of the portraits for this project by exploring the use of larger substrates (watercolour sheets or cradled panels). Like Georgia O’Keeffe intended with her paintings of flowers, I want to invite the viewer to stop and learn about these important women.
Finally, I want to thank the Archivists at the Galt Museum, Whyte Museum and Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives at the Banff Centre for their assistance.
CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/women-artists-alberta-1.7284254
CityView: https://www.airdriecityview.com/local-news/airdrie-artist-veronica-funk-honouring-women-through-painting-9439261
AIR 106.1: https://www.discoverairdrie.com/air106
CityView: https://www.airdriecityview.com/local-news/airdrie-artist-veronica-funk-honouring-women-through-painting-9439261
AIR 106.1: https://www.discoverairdrie.com/air106
The Mission of the Alberta Society of Artists is to have an active membership of professional visual artists, which will strive for excellence, and shall through exhibition, education and communication, increase public awareness and appreciation of the visual arts.
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ARTIST RESIDENCY:
Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm September 7 to October 26, 2024 EVERYONE IS WELCOME CLOSING RECEPTION: DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1-3pm LOCATION: ASA Gallery 2nd Floor, Crossroads Market 222-1235 26 Avenue SE Calgary, AB |
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GALT MUSEUM: I recently had an appointment with Bobbie Fox in the Archives Department of the Galt Museum in Lethbridge. I have a few other appointments scheduled this summer to begin research into historical female artists in Alberta (early 1900s). The most amazing thing I found were handwritten papers by Edith Fanny Kirk that were prepared for presentations in the 1930s: How to Look at Pictures, The Evolution of Art and Essentials in the Understanding of Pictures. It was the most exciting thing to hold these documents in my hand, to know there was a woman who was open-minded in discussing the value of art. I can't wait to learn more.
WHYTE MUSEUM: After 25+ years, I finally the opportunity to tour Catharine Robb Whyte's home in Banff and it was amazing to see her books, collections and art supplies. I spent a few hours in the museum, looking at the clothing and other objects of hers along with Mary Vaux and Mary Schaffer Warren. I also stumbled upon Edmee Brewster Moore, who studied in San Francisco but, I believe only painted as a hobby afterward, which is unfortunate as it was lovely to see her sketchbooks. Such huge gratitude for the assistance of the Director Archives & Special Collections, Elizabeth Kundert-Cameron,
BANFF CENTRE: It was lovely to spend a week at the Banff Centre...a dream, really. I was so thankful to the Archivist of the Paul D. Fleck Library & Archives, Paul Hickling, as he was able to locate really clear photographs of Janet Middleton and Annora Brown along with handwritten letters. There is something so special about being able to see and hold something so personal. It was a real treat to be able to look through some of the University of Alberta archives while I was there.
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