Artists in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows will have their art works properly preserved for future generations following the local launch of a national foundation whose mission is to do just that.
A reception was held to launch the local chapter of the Canadian Art Preservation Foundation, (CAPF), whose mission is to collect and preserve the works of Canadian artists so that they are available for study and exhibition long into the future.
The private affair at the Albion Community Centre in Maple ridge included a select group of art professionals, educators, artists, collectors and philanthropists.
Guests heard about the importance of preserving artworks, specifically works that represent the output of the 20th century, in addition to other historical and future eras in Canada.
According to the foundation, only the work of a few high-profile individuals are collected and protected in private collections, public galleries and museums, when the artist dies.
“Most of the work from any era disappears after their creator’s death. Several decades later though, that epoch will become interesting again and a frustrating search begins for any remaining artifacts,” the foundation said.
“In almost all cases, the essential background documentary material of an artist’s creative journey is lost, especially of lesser-known individuals,” it added.
In addition, with the shift to digital art, “interest in manual delivery of art will lessen and precious knowledge of techniques and materials will no longer be common. They will be harder to access and obtain.”
“The Canadian Art Preservation Foundation seeks to ensure merited artists works and their artifacts can be stored in archival manner so that their legacy can be examined, catalogued, studied and exhibited in the future,” said the foundation.
Paul Crawford, a passionate collector of Canadian art, in addition to being director of the Penticton Art Gallery and CAPF’s chair of the board of directors, presented the mission and vision of the foundation which, he said, is to collect and preserve Canadian art from all eras and backgrounds for the future. He is a passionate collector of Canadian art.
Allan Collier, a collector of original British Columbian design objects and furniture over a 50-year period, also spoke at the event. He was behind the 2020 show at the Vancouver Art Gallery called Modern in the Making.
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And, Michael Kluckner, the author of Vanishing Vancouver and numerous other books illustrated with his own unique watercolours and drawings, talked about the need to preserve art and architectural heritage.
Hans Christian Behm, one of five founding directors, made the introductory remarks and introduced his fellow team of directors who started the foundation including: Paul Crawford, Dr. Dody Reimer, Kristin Krimmel, and Marlies Guenther.
Krimmel, closed the event thanking volunteers and supporters of the foundation.
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In attendance were city councillors Korleen Carreras and Onyeka Dozie. Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eith, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, was also present. In addition current director of the Maple Ridge ACT Gallery Courtney Miller and its former director Barbara Duncan, were also at the event, along with Trudy Van Dop, publisher of the BC Guide to Arts and Culture and gallerist at Van Dop Gallery in New Westminster; and Ivan Sayer, renowned B.C. collector of historical Canadian fashion design.
Preserved works will be made available for study purposes to educational organizations such as educational institutions, museums and public galleries.
Information sessions about the Canadian Art Preservation Foundation and its mission will take place for a larger audience later this year in Maple Ridge.
CAPF is a public foundation with charitable tax status. Donations are welcome at Canada Helps.
For more information go to: artpreservation.ca.
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