We are thrilled to announce our next Volunteer President, Barbara Glaser.

Barbara comes to us from the Print & Drawings volunteer team, where she’s been ensuring a rich and memorable experience for visitors in close-looking opportunities in the Marvin Gelber Print & Drawing Study Centre, as part of the Open Door program. An AGO volunteer since 2010, and former Volunteer Council member for 2 terms, (years apart), she has a nuanced understanding of the staff-volunteer relationship at the Gallery, and a commitment to collaboration. She is passionate about bringing our volunteers together, through enrichment, social opportunities, and online projects (such as the volunteer recipe exchange, a pandemic project she spearheaded along with Veronica Ha, a fellow Council member).

Barbara is a creative thinker, with a professional background in design, art direction, and community organizing. She has years of experience fostering connection, volunteer recognition and appreciation. We look forward to working with her as your next Volunteer President.

More to come!

Holly Procktor, Coordinator, Volunteers

Alain Graham, Chief, People

We were so sorry to hear of the recent passing of Martin Hirschberg, long time AGO Gallery Guide. Martin had not been in since the pandemic, and had declining health of late, but we were happy to keep in touch via email.

Martin really loved being a part of our community. He was excited for his latest show to open, and I enjoyed seeing his art across the city (he always included me on his invites).

It was wonderful to meet Martin’s wife Marion, a few years back, when Martin got her volunteering with us a few years ago, in a temporary role as an animateur with the Yayoi Kusama exhibition (often dressed to match the show – polka dots forever!)  I loved seeing the two of them together – so joyous and positive, their banter back and forth about art and ideas. Marion was as stylish and artistic as Martin in her own way, and you could see they were a real match made. They knew how to live and to love.

My condolences to everyone who is feeling this loss; I will miss our sprite an engaging conversations over art & life,   – Holly Procktor (Volunteer Resources)

He was a lovely warm man who was very generous in sharing his knowledge as a practicing artist to those of us who aren’t – fellow volunteer

HIRSCHBERG, MARTIN On Thursday, November 16, 2023. Martin Hirschberg, beloved husband of the late Marion. Loving father and father-in-law of Sheri Hirschberg and Charles Karstadt, Cindy Hirschberg-Schon and Andrew Schon, and Staci and Rob Weingust. Dear brother of Beverley and Sid Linden. Devoted grandfather of Rachel and Michael, David and Shaina, Allison, Sam, Wynter, and Skye. At Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Avenue, West (3 lights west of Dufferin) for service on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Interment at Beth Tzedec Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to Jewish Family & Child Service (416) 638-7800 ext.6999, or the Koffler Centre of The Arts (koffler arts.org/Support-Us/Donate).

Published online November 19, 2023

Lovingly remembered

Thanks to everyone who attended our zoom call on the evening of Tuesday November 14, with Stephan Jost, and Alexa Greist. Alexa’s presentation, a sneek peek of what to expect when the exhibition opens in March 2024, is now available to watch from home, for those who missed it.

Click on this ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/eAQ-FcnumjNWMaCC1ehTIZHRJ2QB4JqR-4ERx5D9dAm9nRxZvYju6p08ei0fTj78.7xvQQlvtarsmc4vB?startTime=1699998253000

You will be asked to enter PASSCODE to view, please enter: @W6ZqD1!

Alexa’s talk was offered in thanks and recognition of exhibition support, offered through this year’s Volunteer Endowment Trust Funds. Stephan Jost, joined us as well, and gave a bit of a “state of the union” – a report on how we’re doing, and a reminder of our goals, as we move forward with our plan towards “AGO 2028.” His presentation – full of stats and visuals – will be shared via email (PDF). Watch your inboxes for a copy, and reach out to Holly if you miss it.

Hello all, just a short note to let you all know that our planned Diversity & Inclusion training for volunteers has been postponed, due to circumstances beyond our control. We’re working on new dates, so hang tight. We will continue our learning! With thanks for your support, – Holly Procktor, Volunteer Resources

More to look forward to in this busy season of exhibitions! The recording of the exhibition launch for Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art, 1950s – Now is newly available to watch (exhibition opens on December 6).

To access the video, go to this link: https://artcloud.ago.ca/index.php/s/CmpnZpoassNCDGH

You will be prompted for a password to view. Please enter: Island@rtwork

This video features a number of AGO speakers, highlighting important preparations underway, and behind-the-scenes. For Life Between Islands, the exhibition team includes:

• Brittney Sproule, Project Manager, Exhibitions – introducing the exhibition and teams
• Gillian McIntyre, Interpretive Planner – big idea, visitor outcomes, interpretive strategies
• Julia Crooks, Curator, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora and Emile Croning, Curatorial Assistant, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora – exhibition overview, about featured artists, floorplan, and artworks
• Marilyn Bouma-Pyper, 2D Designer – exhibition design
• Kathleen McLean, Assistant Curator, Talk Programs and Screenings – education and programming for the exhibition
• Amy Wu, Marketing Coordinator- exhibition marketing plan
• Anastasia Hare, Senior Manager, Philanthropy – development and donor engagement

To read more, visit the exhibition webpage HERE.

Hello volunteers! I’ve heard folks have had some difficulty understanding access and pricing for the Keith Haring show, so I reached out to our Visitor Welcome team with some questions, which they have clarified below. Hope this helps! – Holly

Only Annual Passholders and Members can visit Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody. This show is being marketed as a benefit of membership. That means, no single ticket sales. You have to be an Annual Passholder ($35) or Member to access the show.

For staff and volunteers:

We can enter the show at any time. Make sure you wear your volunteer badge. There is no need for us to get a ticket. Just walk-in.

Unlike other shows in the past, we cannot “walk-in” guests/friends or family. Each staff and volunteer can claim 2 tickets to give to friends and family. Best ways to do this:

Call the Contact Centre! They can email you (up to) 2 complimentary tickets, which you can forward by email to your friends/family. These tickets will allow access to Haring. Tickets cannot be issued without a date, so the hiccup here is that you need to know the date you friends/family will be visiting. The Contact Centre phone number is: 416 979 6648.

You can also claim tickets in person at the Welcome Desk, by showing your volunteer badge. Follow the same process as described above (for calling the Contact Centre). But note: our lines this week have been long! To avoid standing in line, it’s best to call in. Please do not jump the line ahead of visitors.

Hello volunteers,

We’re postponing our November 21 in-person workshop. Thanks so much for your understanding. Our workshop (online), that is scheduled for Tuesday November 28, from 5:30pm – 7:30pm will continue as planned. Hold tight for details!

With appreciation,

Holly (volunteer resources)

Think back with us a few months, AGO volunteers – to when you were asked to cast your vote to support a project for this year’s Volunteer Endowment Trust fund donation. You voted to support Making Her Mark: A History of Women Artists in Europe, 1400-1800, an exhibition and accompanying (gorgeous!) catalogue, edited by Alexa, and Andaleeb Badiee Banta, with Theresea Kutasz Christensen, Baltimore Museum of Art.

You’re invited: Tuesday November 14, at 5:30pm over Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82838041273?pwd=gmTAatZGS0bZDqwf52Abccqal2wF2r.1

Meeting ID: 828 3804 1273

Passcode: 812761

This illustrated talk, about the making of the book and exhibition (opening at the AGO in March 2024) will be led by Alexa Greist, Associate Curator & R. Fraser Elliott Chair, Prints and Drawings, with accompanying special guest, our Director and CEO Stephan Jost (who also wrote the catalogue’s foreword). This presentation is offered in thanks and recognition, for your generous gift of volunteer funds.

This talk will be recorded and shared, for those that cannot attend.

Making Her Mark introduces us to new artistic heroines (!), bringing together more than 230 objects from royal portraits to metal work, ceramics, textiles, and cabinetry, to demonstrate the many ways women contributed to the visual arts of Europe.

An important note for Gallery Guides: Education and Public Programs has coordinated an additional learning session, specific to Gallery Guides on Thursday November 16th, at 3:00pm – this is focused on engagement strategies guides can use in the exhibition to engage visitors. For more information, please see Danah’s emails.

Hello everyone,

This week marked the opening of another significant fall exhibition – Keith Haring: Art is for Everyone. There has been a tremendous amount of effort on the part of pretty much everybody to launch a successful fall season of exhibitions and programs. And you’ve done it. I would especially like to thank Georgiana Uhlyarik, Curator, who has done a truly incredible job, as well as all staff involved with planning, prepping and installing the exhibit. It looks amazing. Thanks also to the PR team for executing the media preview, the Communications and Marketing teams for getting the word out, as well as the Development and Education & Programming teams for various opening week events. A big thank you to Visitor Experience and Protection Services staff who will be welcoming our public over this busy opening weekend.

I encourage you to check out the show when you can. Also – continue to check in on one another and to be kind.

Take care,

Stephan   

Hello everyone,

Sometimes when one sees the world in chaos, it is good to focus on the tangible. This week, with so much pain in the world – which does impact us here at the AGO – I saw new glass railings on the east and west side of the building. I visited the installation of the Haring exhibition. I had my favourite comfort food at the Bistro – a hamburger and fries. I saw the Arnold Newman show that depicts portraits of extraordinary people of the twentieth century.

My hope is that we find comfort in the tangible in the face of great difficulty. Again, be kind, as the challenges will continue.

Stephan

P.S. This morning my daughter and I joined 99 people – from 29 counties – in becoming Canadian citizens. It has been a seven year process and I am proud to have taken this step.