Hello Everyone,
The AGO is among the leading museums in our country and a home base for young, emerging and long-standing museum professionals dedicated to our craft. Today I call attention to Brenda Rix, a wonderful curator and colleague who has spent 40 years committed to her work at the Gallery. Brenda will be retiring at the end of next week and I am pleased to note some of her accomplishments in my message today.
Brenda joined the AGO as a summer student in 1980 and has held various roles since then, becoming an essential part of our curatorial team. She has shepherded much growth in the AGO’s print and drawing collection and has been a part of many pivotal moments including the opening of the Marvin Gelber Print & Drawing Study Centre and Transformation AGO.
Brenda’s output over the years has been remarkable. She curated and wrote the catalogues for numerous exhibitions, among them Our Old Friend Rolly Watercolours, Prints, and Book Illustrations by Thomas Rowlandson in the Collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario (1987), Selections from the Touche Ross Collection. French Nineteenth Century prints in the Collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario (1988) (exhibition catalogue written jointly with Katharine Lochnan), Walter Trier: The Animals’ Conference (1988), and contributed an essay on “Prints” to the exhibition catalogue The Earthly Paradise. The Arts and Crafts of William Morris and his Circle from Canadian Collections (1993). Most recently Brenda edited and wrote for the catalogue Kathe Kollwitz : According to the Truth (2018), celebrating one of the most important holdings of works on paper by any artist in the AGO Collection. In addition to exhibitions too numerous to name, Brenda mentored generations of fellows and interns with her generosity of knowledge and ability to find projects well-suited to developing the skills of each individual. She served the public through countless programs, provided access to the Marvin Gelber Print and Drawing Study Centre, and helped shepherd the activities of the Master Print and Drawing Society of Ontario throughout its four decades of existence.
I have been struck by Brenda’s exceptional combination of curiosity and humility that is foundational to the manner in which she shares her love for prints and drawings. It is infectious.
Brenda’s last day is next Friday so please take a moment to share best wishes with her. Thank you, Brenda!
One more point – the AGO’s Annual General Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held next Wednesday, June 16th. If you are interested in attending the meeting please contact Amanda Dench, Manager, Board Relations & Corporate Secretary at [email protected]. Amanda will be pleased to assist (and she holds all the power!).
Take care and stay safe,
Stephan