Hello Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the glorious weather!

In the last years, the AGO has invested in new systems like Tessitura to help streamline processes, create efficiencies, and help gather and secure data. We have recently undergone another system upgrade with the launch of Workday – our new Finance and HR system. This was a multi-department effort that required major contributions from IT, Finance, and HR. Thank you to those who have been working hard on this launch, and to everyone for adapting to our new technology.

An important and beautiful tribute to David Blackwood’s printmaking legacy, David Blackwood: Myth & Legend, opens next Wednesday. The AGO is home to Blackwood’s archives, and we hold the world’s largest collection of his work. While the icy imagery of his work is in stark contrast to our current reality, let this be a gentle reminder of the beauty of winter.

Take care,

Stephan

P.s. The new Impact Report for 2024-2025 celebrates the great work that you all do and is available to view here.

We are saddened to share the news that long time AGO volunteer, Gallery Guide Jean Crawford, recently passed away.

Here at the Gallery, she will be remembered here for her liveliness and sense of verve. When I first started at the Gallery, I recall she was deeply involved in the National Docent Symposium as a Co-chair, part of a really formidable group of women who got things done! Not surprising given Jean’s impressive history as a leader in public relations and philanthropy. As a volunteer guide, I recall she loved research and enjoyed “floating”- always happy to strike up a conversation with enthusiasm and never shy. A joy to be around.

Shares former Gallery Guide Coordinator, Melissa Smith: I remember Jean as unfailingly caring, thoughtful and deeply knowledgable—someone who listened closely, asked wise questions, and made people feel seen. She was wonderfully erudite; conversations with her opened doors, whether we were talking galleries, books, or the small details that bring a work to life. Jean’s generosity—of time, attention, and spirit—was matched only by her passion for arts and culture. She championed artists and ideas with warmth and conviction, and she made every space she entered more welcoming and alive.

We are sharing her obituary, here:

CRAWFORD, JEAN ANN (nee COOPER) In Loving Memory January 28, 1944 September 13, 2025

Jean passed peacefully, with family and friends by her side, after a long battle with Parkinson’s on September 13, 2025, at Humber River Hospital.

She is survived by her children, Dan Crawford (Lauren Hunter) and Melissa Chandler (nee Crawford) (Matthew Chandler); and her grandchildren, Aidan Chandler, Ethan Chandler, and Felix Crawford. She is survived by her siblings, Ed Cooper and Betty Compeer; and was loved dearly by her beloved niece, Catherine Lyle; and cousin, Joanne Lundy. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Grace Cooper.

Jean will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and aunt, an exceptional friend and mentor to many, a strong woman with a fierce eye for art, design, and appreciation for the fine arts. The family would like to express deep thanks to all of Jean’s friends who have loved and cared for her, the staff at Humber Heights Retirement Village, Humber River Hospital and the team at Meliora Care for their compassion and kindness. A private service will be held by the family, with a larger celebration of life to be planned. Details to be confirmed.

Condolences can be sent to: [email protected] In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Art Gallery of Ontario or Parkinson Society Canada.

Hello Everyone,

Last night we hosted over 1000 guests for Art Bash, our annual fundraising gala, and closed out our 125^th birthday celebrations. A huge thank you to all of the departments that worked together to make the event a success. I am proud to share that we raised over $1.4M in support of the AGO – a new record for Art Bash. This money goes straight to operations (a.k.a. staff salaries, utilities, and the like).

The event gathered a remarkable cross-section of our community – from families who have supported the growth and vibrancy of Toronto’s cultural landscape for over a century, to visionary donors investing in the future of the AGO through the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery (DRMCG) campaign. We were honoured to be joined by so many who champion the arts through philanthropy, artistic practice, and community engagement. 

On Tuesday, we acknowledge National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Earlier today, Robert Durocher, Chief, Education & Programming, shared an important message that offers resources and encourages us to take time to reflect on the significance of this day. I want to suggest a space for that reflection. Faye HeavyShield: Issokawo’taan opened earlier this month and includes a work titled adrift, 2025. The mobile of acetate is most beautiful and in a constant state of change as it reacts to sun and air. It certainly invites you to linger and reflect.

Take care,

Stephan

A Message from Robert Durocher, Richard and Elizabeth Currie Chief, Education and Programming 

September 30 marks Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours the experiences of Residential School Survivors and the children who never made it home, as well as their families and communities. This year, September 30 falls on Tuesday of next week.   

I encourage you to take time to reflect on the significance of this day. You may choose to spend time with the work of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists on view in our galleries, attend local events, or seek out additional educational resources. It’s important that we all engage with the significance of this day as Treaty People on Indigenous land.  

One suggestion is to attend the Indigenous Legacy Gathering on September 29 and 30. Located a short distance from the AGO, the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre is hosting this two-day event at Nathan Phillips Square. From traditional drumming to live performances, ceremonies, community connections and dancing, both days celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures. The full schedule of events is available at councilfire.ca. 

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a series of Lunch and Learn webinars, each focused on unpacking different aspects of the residential school system. There are six webinars in total intended for adult viewers, which are recorded and available to stream here.  

Here is a link to a series of podcasts related to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

It is important to remember that we need to continue to learn Truths so that we can enact reconciliation in authentic and sincere ways. I always speak about the importance of relationships – relationships to land, and relationships with each other based on reciprocity, care, and love. Please connect with me at any time if you have any questions or would like to talk. 

In gratitude and hope, 

Robert 

Hello Everyone,

Jesse Mockrin: Echo opened to Members on September 10 and has been met with nothing but praise since. Curated by Adam Harris Levine, Associate Curator of European Art, the show is Mockrin’s first solo museum exhibition and inspired by Baroque paintings, sculptures, and drawings at the AGO. It is a very beautiful exhibition. I hope you spend some time with it. 

Art Bash!, our annual gala fundraiser, is quickly upcoming next Thursday and this year the event marks the end of our AGO 125 celebrations. I got word this morning that our Development team has already surpassed their fundraising goal. This is before party tickets have sold out. A remarkable achievement! I want to thank you all in advance for coming together to make the event unforgettable for our guests.

On the list of AGO milestones this year is the Library & Archives celebration of 50 years. Currently stewarded by Al Stanton-Hagan, the AGO Archives includes documentation of the Gallery’s building, exhibitions, programs, and staff over our 125 years. The Library & Archives is hosting an informal drop-in gathering next Friday September 26, from 4-6pm to toast the occasion, and all staff & volunteers are invited to join.

Take care,

Stephan

Hello friends and lovers of AGO history! 

This fall, the Library & Archives team is celebrating a major milestone. September 2025 marks 50 years since the AGO’s records were archived and made available to staff and the public.  

Stewarded by Al Stanton-Hagan, AGO Archivist, the AGO Archives includes documentation of the Gallery’s exhibitions, building, programs, and staff over its 125 years of operation. 

Come help the Library & Archives team in toasting to this legacy of archival care with an informal staff & volunteer drop-in party:

• Friday, September 26, from 4 pm to 6 pm

We’ll have light refreshments, a slideshow of highlights from the Gallery’s archives, and brief remarks at 5 pm.  Hope to see you there!

Questions? Please reach out to [email protected]

Hello Everyone,

This year as we acknowledge the AGO’s 125^th anniversary there are other significant milestones to note. For example, opening in November, Collective Visions celebrates 25 years of photography at the AGO. And next week, we will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Curators’ Circle, the AGO’s community of our most avid and generous annual donors. A special Curators’ Circle event will be held on Tuesday evening focusing on our collection. Some of our CC members have been making gifts every year since 1985 – 40 years straight. 

Philanthropy accounts for a significant portion of our operating revenue and is crucial to everything we do at the museum. The AGO has a wonderful community of supporters who help us all fulfill our work every day – including Curators’ Circle members.

Take care,

Stephan

PS – Do take some time to view the Faye HeavyShield exhibition, currently on view. Faye was the 2021 recipient of the Gershon Iskowitz award at the AGO. If you are in the Gallery on Saturday, there will be a public talk with the artist as part of the exhibition’s official opening, at 2pm. Please join us!

For many of us, September signifies the start of something new; and here in the volunteer program, we are excited to announce that volunteer Ellen Miller begins her term as Volunteer Representative to the AGO Board of Trustees. In this role, Ellen and her fellow board members (27 voting trustees and up to two ex-officio, non-voting members) are responsible for the effective governance of the Gallery. Learn more about the membership of AGO’s Board of Trustees, here.

About Ellen:

A Gallery Guide since 2007, Ellen is a passionate volunteer whose childhood visits to the AGO with her father grounds her experience as a business founder, with board experience at Weizmann Canada and The Baycrest Foundation. She looks forward to applying her skills in strategic planning, financial management and relationship-building to support the Gallery’s governance and fundraising initiatives.

Barbara Glaser Continues as Volunteer President

In Volunteer leadership, Ellen is joined by Barbara Glaser, who, as Volunteer President, begins her second term. Passionate about volunteer recognition, and an advocate for honouring volunteers’ contributions and talents, Barbara has succeeded in strengthening relationships across our volunteer groups, shifts and programs, through the establishment of the AGO Volunteer Artist Collective, and a diverse and ambitious program of gallery outings and studio visits, in addition to her work spearheading the annual Volunteer Endowment Trust donation. Countless volunteers have shared their appreciation for Barbara’s natural affinity and hard work in reconnecting the community post-covid and we couldn’t agree more.

We thank Barbara and Ellen for their dedication in representing volunteers; and we look forward to supporting their contributions, both in the day-to-day program, and at the broader board level.

Holly Procktor, Coordinator, Volunteers & Alain Graham, Chief, People (HR)

Hello Everyone,

This summer we have had healthy attendance. I really enjoy seeing people visiting us from all over the globe. Usually, our attendance is strongly linked to our exhibition schedule but this summer much of the visitor patterns reflect global political changes. It looks like we have had more Canadian and European visitors than we have in past years with fewer guests from our friends south of the border. One thing that I will miss is all the kids who attend our summer camps. Thanks to all who have been involved in making things a success.

There was an incident that occurred yesterday on the Ellis Don worksite at the AGO expansion in which an individual was taken to hospital for care. They are in my thoughts.  Ellis Don has notified proper authorities and the situation is being investigated. It is important that we let the authorities complete the investigation and not speculate on what may or may not have happened. It is an important reminder to always work safely.

Stephan

Hello Everyone,

About 20 years ago, when I became the director of a very small museum in Oakland, California, above the door was an inscription in Latin that read, “Ars longa, vita brevis”: Art is long, life is short. It suggests that great art can transcend time and last for a long time, while human life is relatively brief.

I was reminded of the quote the other day when I saw a beautiful exhibition in the Indigenous & Canadian galleries entitled Remade: Clay, Plaster, Stone. It features the art of two Toronto artists, Frances Loring (1887–1968) and Florence Wyle (1881–1968). Although the artists are not particularly well known (they should be), the beauty of the sculptures feels timeless. The exhibition, curated by Renée van der Avoird, Associate Curator of Canadian Art, and Melissa Alexander, the W. David Hargraft Fellow in Canadian Art, is most beautifully installed, has very strong interpretation, and draws from our collection. It is a great example of the AGO doing what we do best – presenting great art to our audiences so they can learn and enjoy.

Stephan