Toronto, May 4, 2007: York University’s Graduate Program in Visual Arts celebrates an artistic and philanthropic milestone with a special exhibition featuring selected works from the Samuel Sarick Purchase Award Collection, running May 14-18 at the Gales Gallery at York. A catalogue documenting the entire collection will be launched at the opening reception on May 14.

The show, coordinated by program director Yvonne Singer, presents more than a dozen works encompassing a wide range of media, from sculpture, painting and video stills to drawing and photography.

Together, the exhibition and catalogue mark 30 years of achievement by emerging young artists, highlighting their legacy to the University in an art collection made possible by the sustained support of Toronto philanthropist Samuel Sarick.

Recognizing both the accomplishment and potential of the next generation of rising young talent, Sarick established the purchase award in 1976 – just two years after York launched its visual arts graduate program. In every year since, one or more works have been selected for acquisition from the thesis exhibitions of students graduating with a Master of Fine Arts. These award-winning works comprise the Samuel Sarick Purchase Award Collection.

An outstanding selection of contemporary Canadian art, the collection reflects artistic expression and style over three decades. It also serves as an historical record of the program and the alumni of one of Canada’s leading schools for advanced education in studio art.

Many recipients of the Samuel Sarick Purchase Award have gone on to distinguish themselves as artists and art educators in Canada and abroad. Among those represented in the collection are painter, designer and installation artist Robert McNealy; sculptors Cynthia Short and Doug Buis; installation artist and sculptor Marla Hlady; new media multidisciplinary artist Kartz Ucci; photographers Rafael Goldchain and Sue Lloyd; and painter Scott Waters. The prizewinners also include York University professors Judith Schwarz, a sculptor known nationally for her large-scale public art commissions, and painter Janet Jones, who currently chairs the Department of Visual Arts.

A number of Sarick Award-winners will be on hand at the opening reception on May 14 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the prize and the publication of the catalogue documenting the collection.

The Samuel Sarick Purchase Award Collection 30th Anniversary Exhibition will be on display May 14-18 in the newly opened Gales Gallery, located in the Accolade West Building at York University’s Keele campus.  Gallery hours are 9am to 4pm. The opening reception takes place Monday, May 14, 5-7pm. General information: 416.736.5533.

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Media Refer:

Location of Gales Gallery: www.yorku.ca/finearts/about/map.htm
For more information, a copy of the catalogue, or e-images of the works in the Samuel Sarick Purchase Award Collection, please contact

Mary-Lou Schagena, Publicist, Faculty of Fine Arts, York University

416.736.2100 ext. 20241 |   schagena@yorku.ca