Hello Everyone,

I am very confident in the safety of our building and the protocols in place to keep our employees and public healthy. Key to our success so far is compliance with measures such as social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks. Please WEAR YOUR MASKS. It’s critical always – and especially now as case numbers continue to rise.

Like many of you, I have been thinking about the loss of Adam Lawrence. I understand that he loved illustrated books and every so often attended events in the Library. A few staff have suggested that the AGO acquire an illustrated book in his memory and are making donations to our Library & Archives. If you are interested in contributing, please visit www.ago.ca/donate and select the ‘in memory’ option, or call Valerie Morelli at 416 979 6660 x 6816. A letter will be sent to Adam’s mother, Marcie Lawrence, advising of her of these tribute gifts and the plans for this special acquisition in memory. I will definitely be contributing.

Our virtual school program continues to exceed expectations. So far, 65,000+ students have participated. We have never seen this type of engagement for school programs. A big thank you to the Art Educators who have been delivering sessions three times a day for the past four weeks: Carol Matson, Louise Spiritcougar Lefebvre,  Lauren Spring, Laboni Islam, Quentin VerCetty, Rebecca Baird, Mahlikah Awe:ri, Joey Suriano, Amanda Rataj and Maureen Da Silva.

For our Indigenous learnings this week, please see Michael Belmore’s YouTube video on the work Edifice – he is Anishinaabe and the work is on currently view. Michael speaks of connections to land.

Thank you,

Stephan