Holland College Launches History Book

Wayne MacKinnon, author of the newly-released A Record of Achievement, a history of the first 25 years of Holland College.

Newsrelease by Holland College

Wednesday, September 17, 2008. Charlottetown, PE - Former staff, students, members of program advisory committees and the public are invited to attend the book launch of A Record of Achievement - Holland College the First 25 Years on Thursday, September 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the cafeteria in the Charlottetown Centre.

A joint project of the Association of Holland College Retirees and the college, A Record of Achievement delves into the political, economic, and social motivation behind the creation of the college in 1968, as well as the college's revolutionary approach to learning. Well-known historian and author Wayne MacKinnon, who wrote the book, says the college was a trail-blazer right from the start.

"Holland College acquired an international reputation for its pioneering work in competency based education," said MacKinnon. "The success of its students is a testament to the way in which the college responded to the need for skilled workers in a changing economy."

Holland College President Dr. Brian McMillan says the publication of the book couldn't have come at a better time.

"The college is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary. This is an excellent time to acknowledge and honour the individuals, businesses, industries, and governments that helped to create an institution that has become highly recognized not only across Canada, but also on the world stage."

Davida Stewart, ASCHOR's History Committee convener, is pleased to see the project come to fruition.

"Members of the ASHCOR committee viewed the development of a written record and collection of archival material as a task in which they truly believed and wanted to see accomplished. This goal has now been achieved," she said.

In conjunction with the book launch, a collection of Holland College memorabilia will be on display in the lobby of the new wing of the Charlottetown Centre, at the Kent Street entrance, and the Holland College library will showcase the results of its digital archives project.

The book is available for purchase at the Holland College bookstores in the Charlottetown Centre and at the Atlantic Police Academy in Summerside, or may be ordered by calling the Holland College Bookstore at (902) 566-9548 or by e-mailing clambert@hollandcollege.com.

Sara Underwood
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Foundation and Corporate Advancement
Holland College
140 Weymouth Street
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4Z1
Tel: (902) 566-9695
Fax: (902) 629-4268

Article on Henry Purdy - former director of Holland College SVA

This article was published by the PEI Provincial Art Bank
HENRY PURDY, C.M., F.R.S.A., R.C.A., A.N.S.C.A.

Henry Purdy is a professional visual artist working on Prince Edward Island for more than 46 years. He was elected into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1978 and had been on the executive and council of the Academy, representing the Atlantic provinces, for a number of years. He was awarded the Royal Society of Arts medal in 1981 for his contribution to the Fine Arts in the Atlantic region. Purdy is a past member of the Canada Council (appointed in 1984 and reappointed in 1987). He served on the Board of the Canadian Conference of the Arts, as P.E.I.’s representative, for several years. Purdy served on the Board of the Confederation Centre of the Arts appointed by the provincial government, from 1984 until 1991.

His works are in collections, private and corporate, in many countries including the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia and Germany as well as in every province in Canada. A partial listing of Canadian collectors (collections): PEI Mutual Fire Insurance; City of Moncton; City of Saint John; Confederation Centre of the Arts; RCMP Headquarters, Charlottetown; University of Prince Edward Island; Holland College; Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute; University of New Brunswick; St. Mary’s University; Memorial University; Canadian Coast Guard College, Sydney; Dofasco, Hamilton, Ontario; Avon of Canada; Stentor Management, Ottawa, The Canadiana Fund, Ottawa; McInnes Cooper, Charlottetown; and the Royal Canadian Mint. These works include sculptures, paintings, prints and drawings. A major sculptural piece was commissioned and installed at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in 1973.

Purdy has had over 100 exhibitions from 1958-2005 and has participated in group exhibitions throughout 1994. He has had solo exhibitions at Ellen’s Creek Gallery in Charlottetown and at the City Hall Gallery in Moncton. A major exhibition, Henry Purdy: Freedom Comes Inside Out, was organized and shown at the Confederation Centre of the Arts Gallery in 1999. A book of his drawings entitled, Prince Edward Island Sketchbook, was published by Four East Publications of Nova Scotia in 1981. He collaborated with Rev. Adrien Arsenault in producing a number of books of poetry and drawings. Purdy’s Lady Slipper design for a $350 gold coin for the Royal Canadian Mint was selected and minted in 1999. Purdy was awarded te Lister Memorial Trophy by the PEI Crafts Council as the Outstanding craftsperson in 1992 and awarded an honorary life membership in 2002. He received the prestigious 125 Commemorative Medal presented by the Government of Canada in 1992. Purdy was one of the founding members of the PEI Council of the Arts in 1973. He served as Chairperson of the Council, and was the crafts representative in 1998. Purdy is a past president with the PEI Crafts Council and was the Chairperson of the Standards Committee. He was one of the founding staff members of the Holland College in 1969, creating the Commercial Design Program and was Director of the Centre of Creative Arts at the College from 1977 to 1992. He is the Past/Founding Chair of Holland College Association of Retiree (2001). He is the Past Vice-President of the Community Foundation of Prince Edward Island (2001). Purdy conducts art workshops and courses throughout PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. He is a sessional lecturer with the University of Prince Edward Island for the Fine Arts Studio 111 course.

Purdy was awarded the Fr. Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award by the PEI Council of the Arts in 1996. This award recognizes excellence of work and contribution to the professional arts in the province over a substantial period of time and is the most significant arts award given in the province. Purdy was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2001 and was presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

Purdy lives with his wife in Charlottetown and has three children.

Purdy can be reached at hpurdy@eastlink.ca or by phone at 894-410