Summary of Events from 2013-2014

SEASON 2013-2014

Gabor Szilasi at the McCord Museum – March 11^th, 2014.

 

WASM Holiday Dinner – December 3, 2013

Contributed by Barbara Silverman. On December 3rd, 2013 over eighty members of WASM, along with friends and family, gathered at the Holiday Inn on Sherbrooke Street for our annual Christmas luncheon. Consisting of fine dining and pleasant conversations, the weatherman cooperated by withholding a gift of rain, freezing rain, snow, or sleet – thus allowing everyone to descend on the meeting place in fine spirits.  The majority arrived early to be expertly guided by waiting members to the upstairs restaurant. Quickly divesting ourselves of heavy winter coats and boots many decided to partake in an extra glass of cheer, from the cash bar, before settling into their places. A nice large room had been reserved in which round tables, each seating eight, had been set up awaiting our arrival. On each chair we found a bright red tote bag, gaily printed with the name of The Women’s Art Society of Montreal. As Cheryl Braganza pointed out – this way we can identify other members on the bus or Metro.   Once we were all seated Jennifer Gasoi, Juno and Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, proceed to give us an inspirational talk about her life and her own climb up the difficult ladder of success.   To our delight she entertained us with a couple of lovely songs and several members added her CD to their collections, thus being able to enjoy her singing in the years to come. Afterwards we settled down to enjoy a fine meal, which included a glass of wine (extremely important), soup, main course, dessert (very important), and coffee or tea.  The staff was efficient, pleasant and polite. After one last song from Jennifer, we said our parting wishes which leaves only this to add – we all enjoyed ourselves and to all a Happy New Year!

BREAKING NEWS:  Jennifer Gasoi has been nominated for a Grammy after all!!  Congratulations.

WASM at the MBAM

A sampling of the some of the templates created by our members for the Christmas tree at the MMFA. Setup is scheduled for November 28, 2013. Our WASM tree along with many others from organizations all over the city will be on display from early December until January 5, 2014 following a long-standing tradition at the Museum.We hope that you will make a special trip to visit and admire the art-work of our members during this holiday season.Here are some of the artists who contributed:  Judith Blin, Merlyn Bobbitt, Cheryl Braganza, Carol Bulow, Diane Cannuli, Matilda Cheung, Shirley Cohen, Linda Denis, Bonnie Frankel, Sharron Gallagher, Janet Goldstein, Diane Habeeb, Ines uguarte, Mary Lennon, Ann Mallette, Catherine Maclaren, Meta MacLean, Donna McGee, Maura McKeon, Nazik Zaroukian,  Sylvia Ruby,  Joan Salter Kirton, Carol Saykaly, Pauline Shapiro, Barbara Silverman, Michel Tougas, John Vasalinskas, Stan Wasilewski, Josette Wecsu, Annette Wolfstein-Joseph and Jackie Wloski.

Dr. Joe Schwarcz speaks about ART & HEALTH – November 26, 2013

Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director of McGill University’s Office for Science & Society kept us engaged in a very spirited and entertaining session on Tuesday, November 26th at the McCord providing magic tricks (in the style of Houdini!) to boot.

Some of the tidbits I learned:  that when Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel, the shape of God as it appears turns out to be the shape of the human brain.

: that the Pieta has Christ with bulging veins which does not happen when a person is dead, reaching the conclusion that Michelangelo was in fact projecting the resurrection.

: that Da Vinci’s Last Supper is questionable because of the condition in which it was found and later restored, leading us to wonder how accurate the restorations actually are.

: El Greco.  It was surmised that his elongated faces and animals were due to his having severe astigmatism.  In fact, this was not the case.  Sketches and drawings show that his faces were realistic and that he deliberately extended them upwards, symbolizing the union between man and heaven!

: Goya’s Reclining Maya and Reclining Nude were the same woman, his wife, but the clothed figure was for public display while the nude stayed safely in the confines of his bedroom.  As Goya aged, it seemed that the use of lead carbonate in the white he used was so toxic that it affected his later paintings, which took on a troubled stance.

: Van Gogh was a smoker, drinker, womanizer.  His early paintings were sombre (The Potato Eaters) but strangely when he moved to France, the colors lightened and changed to yellows.   We have learned that this was due to his intake of digitalis, an extract of the foxglove flower, which can cause serious side-effects, one of them being seeing yellow haloes.  Van Gogh sold only one sunflower painting in his lifetime leaving the conclusion “that if you are an artist, it pays to die”.  A recent sunflower painting sold for 95 million dollars.   Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin also ingested the green beverage absinthe, obtained from the wormwood tree, which they would enjoy with the sugar ritual.  It also contains thujone which causes hallucinations.   One of their quotes was “Absinthe makes the tart grow fonder ……”

: Edvard Munsch was apparently cured of mental illness and his paintings changed greatly in style as he got older.

: De Kooning too changed his style towards the end of his life. He had Alzeimers disease but continued to paint until he died.

Dr. Schwarz stressed that there is inherent toxicity in the art world and that reasonable precautions must be taken.   Seems that the colors that are the prettiest are the ones that are the most dangerous, lead white,  cobalt and cadmium.  Care must be especially taken with solvent vapours.

He concluded with a story about Houdini’s last lecture given at the McCord while it was still the McGill Student’s Union and he served up some magical tricks with ropes, a deck of giant cards and some colored CDs.

All in all, a very enjoyable afternoon. ~Cheryl Braganza­­

Doreen Lindsay 

 

November 12, 2013 –– J’existe – my life in images

Doreen Lindsay’s talk was very well received, and we had enthusiastic questions later. Many people lingered to talk to her afterwards. She was a very interesting speaker who made her career of photography sound like it was so simple. She had some stunning pictures; the one with wind blowing grass in California was particularly memorable. Her mother daughter pictures were also lovely.

West Island Sweet Adelines

On October 29, 30 singers from the West Island Sweet Adelines came out in full force to entertain us, barbershop style, with beautiful melodies and harmonies, some even arranged by their director Tracy Larder.  We learned that the “Sweet Adelines” were born in Oklahoma and branched out into Canada in the 50′s and 60′s.  They go through rigorous training, every Thursday in the West Island, and enter competitions all over the US, this year going to Honolulu in the middle of our winter!  They sang haunting renditions of La Vie en Rose, Autumn Leaves, Climb Every Mountain, There Goes my Heart, etc. and even taught us “a tag”.   Their oldest singer at 82 years old had been in the choir for 35 years.  For everyone’s information, they are recruiting so check their website if you would like to join.

“It was an afternoon spent wonderfully. I had never even heard of the barbershop style of singing much less hear it in person. It was an eye opener.”  “Took me back to lovely memories”, “Some of those songs brought tears to my eyes”, “I just opened up my heart and let them fill it”, “Why can’t I sing like that?” are some of the remarks from those present.

Thank you again Sweet Adelines!

October 22, 2013 at the Botanical Gardens – Gardens of Light

A word from our organizer, Josette Wecsu: The Chinese Lantern exhibit attracted 18 of our avid art lovers who met at the Café for conversation and a light meal, wine, coffee, before heading out on the trail of enchantment at the fall of night. The exhibition this year portrayed, in a most spectacular display of color and light, the treasures of the tropical forest in the southern part of Yunnan, China.

 Notes-photos of 2013 Mount Royal Cemetery Visit

On October the 8, 2013, 34 members and friends gathered at the Mount Royal Cemetery for a custom-made tour organized by Suzy Charto and led by Myriam Cloutier, the Director of Heritage Programs at the Mount Royal Cemetery. Some of the grave-sites visited:

Prudence Heward – a student of the Art Association of Montreal from 1896-1947.  Part of the Beaver Hall Group, a Montreal group founded in 1920 to which A.Y. Jackson belonged.
Anne Savage – 1896-1971.  Artist who grew up in Dorval, founded the Canadian Group of Painters in 1933 and became its President. Close friend of A.Y. Jackson. Spoke openly about gender inequity during most of her lifetime.
Annie Townsend – gave one million dollars to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Marian Scott – who died in 1993 was one of the pioneers of modern and abstract art.  She took classes at the Art Association of Montreal and studied at l’École de Beaux-Arts.  Buried with her husband F.R. Scott, the poet.  On her grave: ‘I no longer dance with myself.  I dance with two.  The dance is one’.
Edwin Holgate – 8th member of the Group of Seven, belonged to the Beaverhall Group.   Sent as official artist for the Canadian Armed Forces in the 1940′s.   He was a painter and engraver, who lived in the Laurentians.
George William Hill, RCA – architect who designed the angel in the tam-tam park on Parc Avenue.  The bronze medallion on his tomb was ripped off and stolen.
Marcelle Ferron – 1924-2001.  Painter and stained-glass artist.  Mentor of Emile Borduas.  His work is in the Champs de Mars metro station in Montreal.  Belonged to le Refus Globale, a group of intuitive painters.  On his grave ‘Each man is responsible for his inner self.  Chaque homme est maitre de son univers interieure’.
Anna Leonowens – 1834-1915.  She is the Anna from the King of Siam.  Governess for the King of Thailand from 1862-1867.    Moved to Canada and lived in Halifax founding the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.  She moved to Montreal later and lived on McTavish street.
William Notman – photographer in business for 78 years.  Took 450,000 photos which are archived at the McCord Museum.
Maxwell Brothers – architects who designed and built 30 houses in the Golden Square Mile.
James Ross – 1848-1973.   Helped bring art from collectors living rooms to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Molson Mausoleum – for the Molson family, built in the 1860′s by architect, George Brown.
Guido Molinari – artist, taught at Concordia University from 1962 – 2000.  He designed part of the Simons store on St. Catherine street.  On his tomb, ‘Parce que je suis solaire et je retournerai lumière’.
Lady Julia Drummond – born in 1861, lived and studied in Montreal.  First President of the Local Council of Women in Montreal and served from 1893 – 1899.  She received an honorary degree from McGill university for philanthropy, the first woman to do so.    Married George Drummond (connected closely to the Redpath family and empire).  Buried in the mausoleum built for the Drummond family.
Ada Mills & Clifford Redpath – belonging to one of the richest families of Montreal, heir to the Redpath sugar factories are buried in the mausoleum shaped like an obelisk.  She, her husband and son were killed in their home in June 1901, still considered an unsolved mystery.
Lady Amy Redpath Roddick –  buried beside a miniature of the Roddick Gates, the original donated by the family to McGill University in honor of her husband Sir Thomas George Roddick, Dean of Medicine.  Since he was a very punctual man, she decided to fit the gates with a clock tower, complete with chimes at each end. (notes: Cheryl Braganza)