ST. JOHN'S, Sept. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - A new investment from the Harper Government will allow art enthusiasts in Newfoundland and Labrador and other provinces across Canada to enjoy a retrospective of the work of renowned artist Mary Pratt. Pierre Poilievre, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced support for The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
"This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous and free country we are today."
The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery is partnering with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia to create a touring exhibition of Pratt's work. After opening at The Rooms in May 2013, the exhibition will travel from Newfoundland and Labrador to Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia. It will include up to 75 works of arts—drawn from public and private collections in Canada—that depict the various stages of the artist's 60-year career. A fully illustrated catalogue, available in both official languages, will accompany the exhibition, and new technologies will be used to draw young people to the retrospective.
"I am pleased that our Government is supporting this exhibition, which will enable many Canadians to get to know and appreciate the art of Mary Pratt," said Mr. Poilievre. "By presenting this retrospective, The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia are providing a unique cultural experience for gallery visitors."
"The significant support provided for the Mary Pratt exhibition under the Museums Assistance Program will greatly assist The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery in celebrating one of our country's most acclaimed and accomplished artists, an artist which Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are deeply proud of," said Dean Brinton, CEO of The Rooms Corporation. "This retrospective will connect gallery visitors with Pratt's body of work in a new way, demonstrating her distinctive talent for making everyday objects things of beauty. The Rooms is very proud to develop this retrospective, in partnership with The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, here in Mary's adopted home province—the place where her works have been treasured and loved for such a long time."
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $301,100 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
SOURCE: Canadian Heritage
For more information (media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Gilles Thériault
Director, Regional Communications
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506-851-3980
[email protected]
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
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