Bee Wagner's sampler, crazy patch memory quilt is a collection of samples created during embroidery group meetings, objects collected on family outings and vacations, photo transfers of grand children, mementos of friends and scraps of fabric from treasured garments. As an object it is exceedingly rich colorful and textural. At the same time it is a detailed history of Bee's life and family filled with joy and nostalgia.

Bee's quilt was the impetus but many people have contributed to this project by loaning their own pieces for display. Some of the pieces are created for specific people. Others were picked up as examples of unique, often culturally specific techniques. Consisting of the decorative and the functional, a multitude of techniques and styles, works that are historic and items that were completed just recently; this exhibition merely touches the surface. Through conversations with members of the embroidery group I have discovered that the Southwestern Manitoba region has an extensive history and vital tradition of fiber artists. The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba hopes that you will take the time over your busy holiday season to discover or rediscover the wealth and depth of knowledge of the fiber art tradition that continues in the Southwestern Manitoba region.
Chris Reid
Curator

Education & Outreach

The internet is progressively becoming the most common tool for information gathering and entertainment in Western culture. Numerous people have computer access at home, work or school.

The internet can be a valuable tool for the art world. With a little exploration you will find a myriad of high quality visual images and sites to major art institutions all over the world. The following websites can be a valuable tool for artists, educators and the public at large:

The National Gallery of Canada
(cybermuse)
http://cybermuse.gallery.ca

The National Gallery of Canada offers an extensive variety of information, images and aids in the interpreting, understanding and exploring the galleries permanent collection. The website professes to "present information and ideas that will inspire and engage you anytime, anywhere".

Educators will enjoy the link to arts integrated curriculum ideas. Included are a variety of on-line resources of special interest to teachers such as:
•thematic explorations of the permanent collection
•contextual aids such as chronological maps and glossary terms
•lesson plans
•in-class activities

The link, specifically for art enthusiasts, allows for explorations of images and research based articles by scholars and gallery staff.

Links for children and youth are also included in this site. Children will enjoy learning about colour pallets and composition. Youth will get a solid understanding of art styles, mediums and a look at careers in the arts.

The youth section also includes an incredible site dedicated to Escher.

Virtual Museum of Canada
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca

"The Virtual Museum of Canada celebrates the stories and treasures that have come to define Canada over the centuries. Here you will find innovative multimedia content that educates, inspires and fascinates!"

This site is collaboration between Canada's museum community and the Department of Canadian Heritage. It is an excellent resource for teachers including lesson plans and ever-changing exhibitions. Children and youth will find this a valuable research tool, with many of the links providing hands on activities that could be explored at home or school.

Included in this site are links to Virtual Museum exhibits, an impressive image gallery, a fun and games section geared towards children, a teachers section and a calendar of participating museum events throughout the country. The wonderful aspect of this site is that it highlights some of the major galleries and museums in the country as well as small volunteer run organizations.

For more information on Canadian galleries I recommend starting with www.google.com as your search engine and typing in key words Canadian Art
Galleries.

Happy surfing
Melissa Hart
Coordinator of Education & Outreach

The AGSM is very appreciative of CARFAC's volunteering to move our web design forward to a new level. You can see us at www.agsm.ca now under development.

CARFAC has received an Arts Branch -Culture, Heritage & Tourism grant to assist artists and arts organizations develop their web sites, and we are flattered to be a demonstration project for others to follow.

CARFAC Manitoba develops, protects and promotes the social and economic interests of artists. They provide information and services to both artists and the general public. Watch in the new year for an AGSM workshop on artist's copyright, sponsored by CARFAC.

Director's Message

Christmas is a special time for family, a time for reflection, and a time for too much food! As we look back on our first year in our new location, we can say it was extremely exciting. Although change is always a partner of adjustment, the AGSM weathered the transition very well. We have seen important new ventures come on stream, such as the Community Outreach and Community Gallery initiatives, a new financial systems structure, the Art Gallery Gifts relocation project, and many others.

Anticipation of how the future will evolve must include the development of new directions for the Gallery. A new Board will address their desired governance model, a strategic plan, the hiring of a new Director, and the financial opportunities for fiscal 2003-2004.

And when all is said and done, just before Santa comes down the chimney, Christmas will be made much more special with quality time for family, yule tide logs, favorite carols, way too much food, and...as little reflection as possible! To members, generous friends, and a wonderful staff...Merry Christmas! Have a great festive season. We are about to enter a spectacular new year.
Gord McDiarmid

Did You Know?

The following was found on the website www.artchive.com it is attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci's selected notes on painting.

"The painter must keep ten things in mind to ensure the success of his work, namely, light, shadow, colour, volume, form, placing, distance, proximity movement and repose."

"The sculptor must consider only volume, form, placing, movement and repose. He does not have to concern himself with light or shadow, for nature produces them herself in his sculptures. Nor with colour. As todistance and proximity, he attends to them only a little. He uses linear perspective, not that of the colours, in spite of variations in colour and sharpness of the contour according to their distance from the eye."

"Sculpture is a simpler form of statement and requires less mental effort than painting."

Art Gallery Gifts

Tis the season, and those looking for unique Christmas gifts, exciting decorative elements for their homes or well-crafted kitchen and table ware will be pleased with our selection.

Framed fine art in oils, acrylic, watercolour, pastels, mixed media, wood block print and fibre by local and regional artists are for sale. As well, fine craft work in ceramic, glass, metal and wood both functional and decorative are available.

Children's books illustrated by Governor General Award winner Kady McDonald Denton are in stock, and jewellery makers from Manitoba are well-represented. Over 30 volunteers serve our customers from the 1000 sq. ft. shop in the Town Centre.

Please accept this invitation to visit us and support the Art Gallery.

The November 7th opening of What Have We Built, Caroline Dukes and the painted pantomime, Teresa Burrows was well received. Dukes' work provided an elegantly moody environment for contemplation in direct contrast to burrows' bold narratives of abuse and injustice. Curator, Robert Epp provided a context for burrows work within contemporary arts practices in Manitoba then burrows spoke about her experiences and the inspirations for the work itself. Those who had the opportunity to speak with Dukes were impressed by her quiet strength and fortitude. Within the few days since the opening the gallery has been seeing excellent attendance and feedback from viewers for both exhibitions has been moving.

Several people have approached the curator about the possibility of bringing Dukes back for a drawing workshop and talk sometime within the next few months. If you are interested in a one day session with Caroline Dukes please contact the gallery.

Staff Changes

It is with sadness that we see Lei Anne Sharatt leave the Art Gallery after some 14 years of service. Lei Anne has made enormous contributions to the Gallery as it has grown over the years. In addition to handling her marketing and preparator responsibilities, she has been particularly supportive of our regional artists in lending her expertise to their projects. Lei will work with her partner, Murray, to develop their Clear Lake bookstore and to follow personal avocations during Clear Lake's off season.

As a result of our new gift shop manager resigning, Mary Neil has been assigned these management responsibilities to carry the gift shop over the Christmas season. Allison Ryplanski has agreed to a two month contract to handle reception duties and cross train as the alternate gift shop manager. With Mary and Allison both trained for each responsibility, we will be better served in these two positions.