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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 2, 2008 - 21 Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2008 By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF O art, so there should be something for everyone." Ineke Zigrossi, owner of Abbozzo akville art lovers will have the Gallery, also said she took her gallery's chance to see the work of some of style into consideration when choosing the best artists in Ontario right in artwork. Certain artists, like Janice their own backyard. Manson Steeves, were a priority as the Five local galleries are taking part in gallery already represents them. Zigrossi the Ontario Society of Artists' (OSA) selected an oil painting by Steeves called summer exhibition called OSA in the Vessel 36 for the show. GTA. "These pieces are consistent with what This is a new initiative for the OSA, we would show in a solo exhibition for with four Toronto galleries, one that particular artist," Zigrossi said. "We Sunderland gallery and five Oakville gal- have a show for Jan, for example, opening leries taking part. The Oakville galleries in October that is going to feature all of have come together to present the show those works." locally from July 3 to 20. The exhibition is also a good way to The high participation rate among get into art, according to Zigrossi. Oakville galleries is exciting for Lillian "I think everybody needs to get into Michiko Blakey, president of the OSA. art galleries and the more exposure to "We are very grateful for the reception different types of artists, the better eduwe have received in Oakville and we are cated you become and the better able you excited about showing in such marvelous are to know what you like," she said. "If venues," she said. you are in a position "OSA could not have "We are very grateful for the where you can afford arthad a better group of reception we have received work, you can buy what gallery owners and in Oakville and we are excityou like, but if you are directors to work with. not and you are just started about showing in such They were all extremeing to collect, it is a great ly inviting, profession- marvellous venues." way to educate yourself al and supportive and educate the eye." throughout the long, Lillian Michiko Blakey, presiThe gallery owner said complicated process of dent of the Ontario Society of it was a unique experiselecting and placing Artists ence working in conjuncartists in their galtion with other galleries leries." to coordinate the exhibition. The logic behind OSA in the GTA is to "It is fun to work with a whole group expose art lovers to works they might not of galleries at the same time, both in otherwise have a chance to see. It is also Toronto and Oakville," said Zigrossi. "We about breaking into the private gallery are all working together to promote it, sphere. which is great." "Most of our shows have been in pubLocal galleries participating in the lic galleries, but we wanted to make some show are: partnerships with commercial galleries · Abbozzo Gallery, 179 Lakeshore Rd. because a whole different sector of the E. Tel: 905-844-4481. Opening reception public goes to those galleries," Blakey July 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. said. · Cannington House Gallery, 100 Gallery owners were provided with Bronte Rd. #6. Tel: 905-469-0420. slides to choose which artists they want- Opening reception July 3 from 7 to 9 ed to feature on their walls. p.m. Blakey worked with the galleries to · Gallery Rufus, 100 Bronte Road #8. ensure that each chose different works of Tel: 905-339-0013. Opening reception art, which turned out to be less challeng- July 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. ing than she expected. · Towne Square Gallery, 94 George St. "It was really interesting as most gal- Tel: 905-618-0277. Opening reception leries chose different artists, so we didn't July 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. have a huge amount of overlapping," she · Win Henstock Gallery, 334 said. "Sixty-six artists ended up being Lakeshore Rd. E. Tel: 905-844-5711. chosen for this exhibition all together." Opening reception July 3 from 6 to 9 It was a difficult selection process, p.m. according to Frank Bruno, owner of The OSA has a longstanding tradition Towne Square Gallery. in the province. It has been around for "There are so many different styles 135 years and has been responsible for and subjects, so we chose art that best establishing what are now quintessential suited what we carry," he said. "We want- institutions within the Canadian art ed to continue with more contemporary world, like the Art Gallery of Ontario, the and modern art, which we are showing Ontario College of Art and the National right now." Gallery of Canada. It has also had many Bruno said the variety should please prominent members since its inception, even the most selective artistic palates. notably The Group of Seven. "I think everyone should come out "We've been going since 1872 and as and see it because we have some great such, the lieutenant-governor is our art," he said. "Everyone likes different patron," said Blakey. "Some of the finest CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER MASTERPIECE: Margaret Kirwin, gallery administrator (left) hangs artwork with gallery owner Ineke Zigrossi at Abbozzo Gallery in preparation for OSA in the GTA. The exhibition will run at five galleries across town. artists in the province have been members." The organization has grown leaps and bounds since its inception, currently boasting thousands of members. "We have 15,000 members just in Toronto, so we needed to refocus our mandate to find ways of teaching people about art that don't just focus on public galleries," Blakey said. "And we currently have some members who are at the forefront of art in Canada, like Jack Bush and Doris McCarthy." Only professional artists are permitted to join the society, according to Blakey. "There is the highest quality of art, because all the members of the society are juried in by their peers," Blakey said. "All of them have to be professional artists and have a record of showing their work and being accepted in quality shows." If OSA in the GTA is a success, Blakey said they will likely present it again next year. And if anyone takes a liking to what they see in the participating galleries for this exhibition, they have the chance to take it home, as all pieces will be available for purchase. Admission as well as catalogues, which are available at the galleries, is free. For information on OSA in the GTA, go online to www.ontariosocietyofartists.org.