For One Night Only: The Group of Seven Meet Top Italian-Canadian Artists

Columbus Centre and the McMichael Gallery Present a Unique Intercultural Celebration that has been Inspired by Canada!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2011, 2011 Kleinburg, Ontario –The Toronto Italian community’s beloved Columbus Centre will welcome an outstanding collection of works from the McMicahel Canadian Collection and work by artists of Italian heritage insprired by the Group of Seven at an exclusive cocktail reception on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at the luxurious Lawrence Avenue facility with food by their renowned Boccacio restaurant.
“Enthusiasm shown by the centre and leaders in the Canadian-Ialian community to form this partnership and help us understand Canada better by appreciating Canada’s most renowned interpreters of the land has been spectacular,” said co-chair Lori Abittan, President and CEO of Multi Media Nova Corporation who shares eladership for the event with Ralph Chiodo of Active Green and Ross and McMichael Vice Char Patrick Gossage. Honorary patrons include Senator Con Di Nino, Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, Federal Minister Julian Fantino and retired Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci. .
The Inspired by Canada reception and exhibition will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (opening remarks at 7:30 p.m.) on March 29 at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery/Columbus Centre located at 901 Lawrence Avenue West. This is an exclusive and intimate gathering with only 400 tickets available! For one night only. ,
The cocktail party’s special multi-level exhibition will explore many works painted by members of the renowned Group of Seven in juxtaposition to works by contemporary Italian-Canadian artists including Tony Bianco, Tracy Thomson Colero (great-grandniece of Tom Thomson), Salvatore Gallo, Sam Paonessa, Giuseppe Pivetta, Joseph Catalano, Germinio Politi, and the late Albert Chiarandini, who painted with members of the Group of Seven.

In addition to the fine art, Ristorante Boccaccio will be serving epicurean delights throughout the evening. There will be a Fine Scotch and Grappa Bar (courtesy of Via Allegro Ristorante) and a gourmet Cheese Station (courtesy of The Cheese Boutique).

Event Information:
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Formal Remarks at 7:30 p.m.
Columbus Centre/Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery
901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3
Tickets are available for $185 each or as a Patron’s Package of ten tickets for $1,850.

Presenting Sponsor:
BMO Financial Group

Event Sponsors to-date include:
Active Green + Ross
IC Savings
Via Allegro Ristorante
Pristine Printing
The Cheese Boutique

Media Support Generously Contributed by:
Multimedia Nova Corporation
TLN
Lennie Lombardi / CHIN radio

Tax receipts will be issued to the maximum allowable amount. The Inspired by Canada event is a joint fundraising event with the net proceeds to be shared between the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery/Columbus Centre.

About the Galleries:

The Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, located in Columbus Centre, is part of the Villa Charities family of community-based, charitable non-profit organizations. The Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery receives no ongoing public funding and relies on private sector donors, sponsorships and income-generating activities.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg, and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tickets are available for $185 per person. To purchase tickets contact the McMichael gallery at 905.893.1121 ext. 2207 or email mschmidt@mcmichael.com

-30-

MEDIA INFORMATION

Stefanie Polsinelli
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Villa Charities Inc./Columbus Centre
Telephone: 416.789.7011 ext. 320
Email: spolsinelli@villacharities.com

Stephen Weir
Publicist
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
Email: sweir@mcmichael.com


Cutline: TV host Andrea Trentadne interviews Ralph Chiodo (Active Green and Ross) and Pal Di Iulio(Villa Charities) in the front lobby of the CHIN building on College Street. They are talking about the Inspired by Canada Fundraiser being held for the McMichael Gallery and Toronto's Columbus Gallery. Trentadne is host of the Festival Italiano di Johnny Lombardi TV talk show. The programme is seen in Toronto on Citytv and is broadcast live from the CHIN radio station.