Special photo taken for Vaughan Today (well actually on Sunday)

ONE OF A SERIES PICTURES TAKEN AT THE McMICHAEL GALLERY IN KLIENBURG, ONTARIO FOR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

It was snowing really bad so it was not a shock to find out that Vaughan Today couldn't free up a reporter to attend a media preview for the newly installed Norman Rockwell exhibition at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. They were willing to run something "good" about the show, but what?
It was Sunday, the kick-off to March Break and I had this picture taken exclusively for Vaughan Today. The picture, by McMichael volunteer (and professional photographer) Jason Hashimoto shows 20-year old Alexandria Maida, assuming a pose for the camera made famous by Norman Rockwell in his triple self- portrait. It shows the late American aritst painting a painting of himself using a large mirror.
All day Sunday visitors to the gallery were invited to dress up like a Norman Rockwell painting. Hashimoto took their masterpieces and the gallery emailed the pictures to the visitors. 20-minutes before quiting time I convinced Hashimoto to try his hand at copying the master. Ms Maida, a University student and weekend guide at the gallery, agreed to be the model.
Did it work? "Brilliant Steve,Thanks" wrote editor Dan Hoddinott. Within hours of receiving the photograph it was posted on their website. Did get a call from a competing media wanted to know why they didn't get a copy too?

Promised to get Hashimoto to take another masterpiece just for them the next time he was at the gallery with his Cannon and lighting kit. Could be a new career!

CUTLINE

Top: Alexandria Maida strikes the Norman Rockwell Pose from the painting Triple Self Portrait
Middle: Triple Self Portrait by Norman Rockwell
Bottom: My picture of Jason taking a picture for Vaughan Today.

March Break Fun at the McMichael

March Break Fun at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg.
February 22, 2010 Kleinburg, ON —It's the week children look forward to the most each school year and the one that sometimes has parents struggling to find activities to entertain their children. This spring the McMichael Canadian Art Collection will be offering special March Break programming for children from March 14 to March 19—including a weeklong art camp!
The March Break festivities begin on March 14 with special Family Sunday March Break Celebrations programming, which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is free with general admission to the gallery. Families can tour the Woodland School exhibition, touch artifacts, and listen to Anishnabe (Woodland) legends in the Discovery Space storytelling room. Children will learn about contemporary art of the First Nations, and participate in a special artist-led workshop featuring visiting students from the Ontario College of Art and Design, Aboriginal Visual Culture Program.
For those parents looking to enroll their children in an invigorating and fun art camp, from March 15 to 19, the McMichael is offering a full day March Break Art Camp, for 6 to 12 year olds, running from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended care until 5:00 p.m. Students will enjoy drawing, painting, sculpting, and printmaking in a nurturing teaching environment led by instructors and assistants who are experienced artists and educators. The cost for this program is $250 for the general public and $225 for McMichael members.
For those parents looking for fun activities to do with their children, Bonus March Break Days programming will run daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from March 16 to 18. Visitors will be able to make art, take a family tour of the Collection, play in the Discovery Space, and meet a special guest artist. On St Patrick’s Day, March 17, visitors will enjoy live Irish Music and Irish Fairy tales, and young artists will learn how to make Celtic Art. All Bonus March Break Days activities are free with general admission to the gallery.
About the Gallery
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of 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. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students and $30 for families. There is a $5 fee for parking. For more information about the gallery visit www.mcmichael.com.
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Issued By:
Stephen Weir
Publicist
Stephenweir@mcmichael.com
905-893-1121 ext 2529
416-489-5868
416-801-3101 cell