White Mountain art gallery named for lieutenant governor

Page 4

On Feb. 10, the White Mountain Academy of the Arts officially named its art gallery after the lieutenant governor of Ontario. The James K. Bartleman Art Gallery displays the works of visual arts students, faculty, artists in residence and visiting artists.

"To be associated with fostering art is a great privilege. It is an honour to lend my name to this fine gallery," Bartleman said during the ceremony held to dedicate the gallery. "I wish you every success in nurturing new generations of artists here at the White Mountain Academy of the Arts."

Bartleman is a member of the Mnjikaning First Nation and is the first Aboriginal lieutenant governor of Ontario. He has served as the honourary patron of the art school since the summer of 2004. White Mountain Dean, Yvonne Wiegers said that those two factors helped in making the decision regarding the art gallery's name, but the idea was first proposed following a statement about bringing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people together, made by the lieutenant governor in conjunction with his book drive.

In January 2004, Bartleman launched the Lieutenant Governor's Book Program, a province-wide initiative aimed at collecting used books to be donated to libraries serving First Nation communities in Northern Ontario. The yearlong campaign collected more than 500,000 books.

"Our mandate is to have both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal visual arts happening under one roof, and so this [program] is unique and so when he said that statement, that sort of started the discussion as to the naming of the gallery," Wiegers said.

More than 100 people came to the ceremony, including academy chair Aideen Nicholson, Mike Brown, Member of Provincial Parliament representing Algoma-Manitoulin, Elliot Lake Mayor George Farkouh and Union of Ontario Indians Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.

The official ceremony began with a drum welcome by Mississaugi Drum and a blessing by Elder Eleanor Pine and finished with the unveiling of a plaque emblazoned with the art gallery's new name.

"Today we are witnessing a cultural renaissance. Aboriginal art has become a source of pride. Artists are gaining confidence, and their work is now celebrated at home and abroad," said the lieutenant governor. "Ever since Norval Morrisseau drew wide attention to Native art, its potential has been clear. And White Mountain Academy of the Arts has come into being to make that potential a living reality."

White Mountain Academy of the Arts offers post-secondary education in studio training and art history in both Aboriginal and Western traditions Students can earn a traditional Native art certificate-the only one of its kind in Canada-a visual art certificate and diploma, or a business of art certificate,or they can enroll in independent studies, summer programs or community workshops.