the al green gallery

The Al Green Gallery

The Al Green Gallery was founded by Canadian rea l - es t a t e deve l ope r, scu lp to r, and philanthropist, Al Green. The gallery was initially created to showcase the work of fellow sculptors, and in particular, member artists of the Sculptors Society of Canada, and his sculpture school, the Al Green Sculpture Studio.

The newly renovated Al Green Gallery, will continue to embrace Mr Green's dedication to sculpture, but will broaden its focus to include a range of artistic disciplines such as painting, photography and new media arts. The gallery will provide a venue for artists, many of whom have limited opportunities to exhibit their work, while also raising awareness and funds for diverse charitable causes.

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I would like to thank the many individuals and volunteers for helping make the inaugural show at The Al Green Gallery a great success.

Co-Curators: Lindy Green and Melanie ChikofskyInvitation Graphics: Dean PovinskySet up and Lighting: John McBride, Brian Meeson, Gregory Gue

Event Photography: Annie DaynesSculpture Photography: Cat O’Niel Book Design: Melanie Chikofsky Floral Design: John MacBride

Special thanks to the Green Family for their guidance and support.

Lindy GreenDirector

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Al Green Sculpture Studio, now in it's tenth year, is a unique, non-profit centre for c r e a t i v e e x p r e s s i o n a n d a r t i s t i c development. Designed for adults whose talents range from novice to professional, the primary emphasis is on additive sculpture, with occasional workshops, demonstrations and field trips being offered as a means of broadening artistic skills and experience. A founding goal of the studio is to bring principles of sculpture to individuals who want more involvement with the medium and to provide more studio time than is easily available at traditional facilities.

Al Green Sculpture Studio

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AL GREEN BIOGRAPHYAbraham (Al) Green is exceptional in many ways. As co-founder of Greenwin Construction, he helped develop and shape the urban landscape of Toronto. Early on he earned the nickname “Dream Maker”. He is a renowned and tireless philanthropist, recently honoured with the Order of Canada for his devotion to community service.

His vision and unique talents are evident in his artistic work as well. For more than thirty years, Green has devoted himself to sculpture. He began sculpting at Central Technical School in 1966 and the following year founded his first of many shared studios. He was encouraged by artist and friend Maryon Kantaroff and together, in 1972, they opened Toronto’s first art foundry at 64 Merton Street.

Green found his artistic voice quickly, pursuing his cubistic and angular style with confidence and a strong technical ability. His creations range from small delicate pieces which highlight his deft hand, to grand oversized works which are his passion. His work holds a presence and emotional power that were recognized immediately by his peers. During his career as a sculptor, he worked extensively not only with Kantaroff but with renowned artist Sorel Etrog among others. Over the years Green was fortunate to have a number of studios, including a portable wax studio housed in a standard leather briefcase. In 1996, he opened the Al Green Sculpture Gallery as a place to showcase his own works as well as those of fellow artists. In 2000, he founded the Al Green Sculpture Studio, fulfilling a desire to provide an open, accessible environment in which sculptors could work and learn. Green has completed many large commissioned projects and has donated a significant number of sculptures to a variety of charities. He continues to remain involved in arts organizations and sits on the boards of The Canadian Sculptors’ Society of Canada and The Art Gallery of Ontario.

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PIANIST

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BASS PLAYER GUITARIST HORN PLAYER FIDDLER ACCORDION PLAYER

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DIFFICULT ASCENT

CLIMBING TOWER

BOLT OF LIGHTNING

EMERGING TOWER

PARTNERS FOR LIFE

RISING MIST6

TOUCHING HEAVEN

GRACEFUL ASCENT

RECIPROCAL DISCS

STEP TOWER

UNDULATING TOWER

BALL TOWER7

LIPA GREEN EMBRACE NATIVE TOTEM FEMME HOMMAGE8

MENORAH SQUATTING WOMEN TWO DANCERS CHAI JACOB'S LADDER SMALL FIGURES PUSHER BOOK ENDS CACTUS SERIES RELIGIOUS SERIES

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SQUATTING WOMAN CUBIST SQUATTING WOMAN REALISTIC10

KNEELING WOMAN ECSTASY MOANING WOMAN 11

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE12

GOLFER PITCHER BATTER TENNIS PLAYER CATCHER BASKETBALL PLAYER13

MULTIPLE ARCHES

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OPENING NIGHTThe opening night reception was a tremendous success and despite the shutdown of the Toronto Subway system that same evening, was attended by over 250 guests! Artists, friends, family and members of the art and business communities mingled together in the newly renovated gallery space, enjoyed fine food and wine while viewing the exciting inaugural sculpture exhibit. The history of the gallery and future vision was shared with the crowd in an opening speech by gallery director, Lindy Green. Ms. Green recognized the accomplishments of gallery and school founder Al Green and presented him with a book of tributes created by artists of his studio school. This tribute book was on display in the gallery and guests had the pleasure of viewing it. Melanie Chikofsky, director of the Al Green Studio School was also shown appreciation for her dedication to the studio and was presented with an Al Green bronze sculpture. The show was well received and many guests returned with friends and referrals throughout the duration of the show.

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Al Green Sculpture Studio ArtistsELLEN BLANKSTEIN

THEA CARVELDOROTHY CHAN

MELANIE CHIKOFSKYGARSON CONN

J. CROWDERPENNY FIKSEL

GERARD GODIN

GREGORY GUE TOOTSIE HALBERT

SARAH HASTIECRYSTAL HAWK

W.W. HUNGJANET HUNTERINGE JOHNSON

PHYLLIS LIPMANJOHN MACBRIDEBRIAN MEESONHERSHEL OKUN

RUTH LOVE PAISLEYVIRGINIA PETEHERYCH

DEAN POVINSKY

JAN QUINLANJANET RAVIN

GLORIA ROBINSDONA SAUNDERS

PHILIPPA STEPHENSONLORNE WINTERSDONNA ZEKAS

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GLORIA ROBINSCHEQUE $5000 MATE

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PENNY FIKSELFLORA ANTIQUUS

ELLEN BLANKSTEINROBE # 14

CRYSTAL HAWKABSTRACT 145

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SARAH HASTIETHE ANGEL PIPER

VIRGINIA PETEHERYCHSELF PORTRAIT

PHYLLIS LIPMANHANDY MAN

GARSON CONNWOOD YOU BELIEVE

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W.W. HUNGYEARNING

PHILIPPA STEPHENSONOONA

RUTH LOVE PAISLEYFEMININE MYSTIC

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JOHN MACBRIDECROSSCUT

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GREGORY GUE BRIAN MEESON L'HUMILITED'UN HOMME TSUNAMI

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MELANIE CHIKOFSKY GERARD GODIN DONNA ZEKAS THREADBARE CANTEROFF MUSE

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JAN QUINLANLES PETITES

HERSHEL OKUNBORGO OGNISSANTI

DONA SAUNDERSGODDESS OF SURPRISE &

DELIGHT

TOOTSIE HALBERTTENSION

THEA CARVELBOTSWANNA OSTRICH

DOROTHY CHANABABESQUE

JANET RAVINL'HOMMAGE

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DEAN POVINSKYALBRECHT

LORNE WINTERSIT IS WRITTEN

J. CROWDERABSTRACT TWIST

JANET HUNTERDAPHNE

INGE JOHNSONPLAY, GRACE, SLUMBER

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"STUDIO" OPENING RECEPTION NOVEMBER 18, 2009