Art Gallery of Grande Prairie unveils first project supported from Sargent Family Foundation endowment

“We chose that image because it’s most emblematic of the Picasso style that people are used to seeing, which is in that abstract sort of variation,” said Erbach.

“Because our theme was working around passion projects, we wanted to only exhibit Picasso’s work that was about the major motifs in his work, which is bullfighting, and so we selected all of the prints and sculptures that exhibited and illustrated bullfighting.”

The collection from Marc Chagall is named the “Calling of Jerimiah.”

Erbach says this will include 20 prints of Chagall’s work based on the Old Testament.

“This was when Jerimiah encountered an angel, there’s a lot of prophecy in the Old Testament and visions.”

Erbach explains that the two collections will play an important part in the art gallery’s identity, which he says is exhibiting local, national, and international art.

“All of those are quite unique and important for our community, for the residents, for local artists for their development, for curators, for writers, and for the general public, who don’t necessarily want to always travel to Calgary to participate in something significant.”

Erbach explains because the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is a national class museum, they were able to secure pieces of this calibre, although he suggests it was no easy task.

“We are actually able to collect and exhibit work to the highest of national standards, so because of that, we’re able to connect with some of the largest and most significant art museums in the country, like the National Museum of Canada, and request that we receive a loan from their collection,” he said.

“It’s a long process, it’s a complicated process, but because of the quality of staffing here at this museum and because of this facility, we are able to do this kind of work.”

Erbach says for the first project with the Sargent Family Foundation, the exact dollar amount for the first showcase is still to be determined, although he estimates they will be using tens of thousands of dollars for a show of this calibre.

“For example, just shipping artwork of this level of significance from Ottawa can cost a lot of money,” said Erbach.

“There’s a limit, so that the endowment itself will live through many generations, so we have not finalized the amount that we take from that major gift.”

Sargent Family Foundation member Sean Sargent says the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie has always been one of their favourite visits and says he is happy to see the first project of many from the Sargent Family Foundation endowment.

“To allocate (the funding) to give the Art Gallery the extra funding they need every year to give extra exhibits like this they wouldn’t normally afford, and to enhance the lives of people culturally in Grande Prairie that can come and see this, we just feel honoured to be able to have done that.”

The museums’ operational funders include the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie, and the MD of Greenview.

The exhibition will be displayed from September 30 to January 9 at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, located inside the Montrose Cultural Centre..

Left to Right: Ken Lowden, Executive Director of the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association and Sean Sargent of the Sargent Family Foundation (Photo: Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

From Left to Right: MD of Greenview Reeve Dale Smith, County of Grande Prairie Reeve Leanne Beaupre and Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton (Photo: Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

by Abby Zieverink

Art Gallery of Grande Prairie unveils first project supported from Sargent Family Foundation endowment

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