Katharine Dagg featured at Details Past and Present Gallery

Details Past and Present Gallery on Richmond St. in Charlottetown features the work of Katharine Dagg, who was a design instructor at Holland College School of Visual Arts in the 1970's. A biography of Katharine is located on the gallery site

Katharine is a resident of PEI, having moved here over 30 years ago. She holds a BFA from the University of Manitoba, majoring in drawing and painting and minoring in ceramics. She has worked as an Arts and Crafts officer for the government of the North West Territories instructing, developing and promoting arts and crafts with the native people. She also worked for Canadian Arctic Producers setting up and displaying Inuit art shows in Chicago, New York, Minneapolis, Montreal and Toronto. Her dream was to live and work as a potter and hopefully, find time to paint. The pottery dream was fulfilled as a partner with Sandi Mahon at Stoneware Pottery, a successful studio business that they ran for over 30 years. She now finds time to pursue her passion for painting. Says Dagg, "I am mad about colour. There is no room for beige in my life! I'm inspired by nature and the human figure and faces that tell a story. I can be tempted by heady blossoms gossiping over a fence,or luscious fruits and vegetable overflowing in great crockery - abundance, beauty and colour.

Holland College Digital Archives

An amazing collection of material from the School of Visual Arts at Holland College which existed from the mid 1970's to the early 1990's is now available from the Holland College Digital Archives.

There are over 200 items related just to the School - and can be located by doing a search with the words Visual Arts as search terms.

A grant from the President's Innovation Fund allowed Library Services to pilot and test software for building a digital archive. We have digitized content and have started the process of transferring our digitized materials to the online archive. Please send your questions or comments to library@hollandc.pe.ca.

We'd like to thank the members of the Association of Holland College Retirees for their support of the project and Natalie Hunt, our summer intern, who digitized much of the material in the archive.

Bob Doddridge - A Legacy in Wood

Award winning chair designed and created by Bob Doddridge (wood) and Ian Scott (leather).

The legacy of Bob Doddridge, former Holland College School of Visual Arts wood instructor Bob Doddridge who died in 2005 remains a significant part of the arts and cultural development of Prince Edward Island. His life as an college instructor had a significant impact on his students at a time that the crafts industry was just emerging on PEI. His knowledge and “can do” attitude have been sited by industry leaders as having a major impact on their determination to succeed in a field where few had prospered previously.

Bob's commitment as an artisan himself during his teaching career and in retirement showed his students that understanding construction techniques while being of great significance, that it was the hands-on aspect of achieving high quality finished work that was the end goal.

His daily work ethic was exemplar in many ways and showed his almost undivided attention to detail and to practicing his craft.

Award winning chair designed and created by Bob Doddridge (wood) and Ian Scott (leather).

This collection of images are an indication of the beautiful work that Bob created and which still graces homes, offices and public building. Enduring - strong - natural wood - created to last and continuing to serve, these are words that describe Bob's work and also reflect his outlook on his work.

 Chair designed and created by Bob Doddridge.

 Assorted items by Bob Doddridge.

Lectern by Bob Doddridge.

Chancellor's chair UPEI -  by Bob Doddridge.

Crest of UPEI - carved by Bob Doddridge.

Bob Doddridge at work.

Mural for Canadian Coast Guard College designed by Henry Purdy, carved by Bob Doddridge.

Statue designed by Henry Purdy, carved by Bob Doddridge.

Bob Doddridge - Memorial Trees in Trust

Diane and Jacques Gaudreau of Gaudreau Fine Woodworking Artisans have made a donation in memory of former School of Visual Arts wood instructor Bob Doddridge. They writes "We invite anyone who wishes to dedicate a piece of island forest as a memorial to Bob to please visit: Memorial Trees in Trust."

Well done Diane and Jacques.

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

Important Island artist and arts advocate dies in December

Hilda Woolnough passes

as published in The BUZZ, Jan 2008

Hilda Woolnough, a visual artist and strong supporter of the arts, died Tuesday, December 11.

For over 30 years on Prince Edward Island, Hilda Woolnough was an artist, teacher, advocate and champion of artists’ rights. She was the driving force behind The Phoenix Gallery, The Gallery-On-Demand, the Great George Street Gallery, The Arts Guild, the Printmakers Council and the Student Art Expo. She served on the boards of many professional provincial and federal arts organizations, and was a lifetime member of the PEI Council of the Arts. In recognition of her contributions to the arts in Prince Edward Island, the Council awarded her the Father Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award in 1999. She was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy in the same year.

Woolnough was born in Northampton, England in 1934; her mother, uncle, and brother were all artists. Woolnough attended the Chelsea School of Art in London, studying with Henry Moore, and graduated with an MFA. She immigrated to Canada in 1957 and soon after made her way to PEI. With her husband, UPEI professor, writer and publisher, Reshard Gool (1931-1989), they formed part of the nucleus for a vibrant arts community.

Woolnough had solo exhibitions across Canada, in Mexico and Jamaica, and was included in group exhibitions in Japan and Spain. Solo exhibitions of her work were mounted at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in 1976 (which toured the Atlantic region), 1991, 2001, and 2005. Her work is in numerous public, and private collections, including the Musée des beaux arts, Montreal, Art Gallery of Ontario, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the New Brunswick Museum, Memorial University, St. John’s, and the Canada Council Art Bank.

The Confederation Centre Art Gallery will present a selection of Woolnough works from the gallery collection, in January and February 2008, and continue to develop a retrospective planned for Summer 2009.

To honour Hilda’s contribution to the arts on Prince Edward Island and her dedication to arts and youth the Prince Edward Island Council of the Arts has established the “Hilda Woolnough Memorial Scholarship” for Island students pursuing post-secondary education in visual arts, and who are in their first or second year of study.

The February issue of The Buzz will feature a special tribute to Hilda Woolnough.

Blog editors note: Hilda served as design instructor at Holland College School of Visual Arts in the crafts section of the school in the 1980's. Besides her career as an artist and arts advocate, she shared her great passion with her students, for the integration of strong design principles in handcraft design.