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| HÂþ» Art Gallery Director/Curator Susan Gibson Garvey (left) during the Gallery's annual fundraiser Art at Home and all that Jazz. (Comitor Photo) |
for outstanding contributions to the visual arts in Canada. The RCA medal is the highest award that the Academy (founded in 1880 under the patronage of the Governor-General of Canada)
gives to non-members. Among previous distinguished award winners are: National Gallery of Canada Director Pierre ThŽberge, Arts Administrator David Silcox, Philanthropist Joan Chalmers and British sculptor Henry Moore. In addition to Susan Gibson Garvey, this year's award-winners are Jean M. Johnson (Arts Administrator and advocate for fine crafts); John R. Porter (author, Curator and Director of the MusŽe du Quebec); and Donald R. Sobey (philanthropist and patron of the arts).
The medals were presented at the RCA President's Dinner, held in conjunction with the RCA Annual
Assembly, which took place earlier in the month at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The HÂþ»
Art Gallery is also pleased to announce that it will be one of the recipients of a $4,000
purchase award from the RCA to assist with acquiring Canadian art for its collection.
"I am thrilled to be honoured with this important medal," said Susan Gibson Garvey, "and we are
delighted that our gallery's collecting activities will be boosted by this purchase
award."
Susan Gibson Garvey has served the HÂþ» Art Gallery for the past 16 years, the first 10 as
its Curator and the past six as its Director/Curator. During that time she organized
over 100 exhibitions, published over 50 catalogue essays, and co-ordinated the Gallery's public
programming and educational outreach. Susan studied at St. Martin's School of Art, London, UK
(BFA 1967) and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, (MA 1981), and has pursued her
career as a practising artist, curator, educator and writer in Nova Scotia for over 30 years.
Her public service includes chairing the Steering Committee for the Nova Scotia Arts Council,
serving on the boards of various arts organizations - including as a founding member
and first Chair of the Contemporary Art Projects Society (which organized "HX" Halifax's first
International Exhibition of Contemporary Art in 2000) - and serving on provincial and national
arts award juries. She is currently national President of the University and College Art
Galleries Association of Canada. Susan's own art works are in public and private collections
throughout the Atlantic region.
The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, inaugurated in 1880 under the patronage of the Marquis of
Lorne, is one of Canada's oldest and most enduring arts institutions.