Open Studio National Printmaking Awards

Shortlist Announced for Open Studio National Printmaking Awards
Best of Canadian Printmakers to be Celebrated at Open Studio’s 100 Prints
Toronto, ON – April 11, 2011 – On Wednesday, May 18, six talented Canadian artists will be recognized for their achievements in printmaking during the fourth annual Open Studio National Printmaking Awards.  The ceremony will take place at the Palais Royale in Toronto, at 100 Prints, a fundraising event in support of Open Studio.
A distinguished jury selected the shortlist from prints that have been donated to Open Studio by emerging and established artists from across Canada.  The jury members, who had the difficult job of choosing the award winners were: Robert Birch, founding director of Birch Libralato (formerly Robert Birch Gallery); Toronto-based artist Dax Morrison; and Melony Ward, publisher of Canadian Art magazine and online properties.
The artists shortlisted for the Open Studio National Printmaking Awards are:
Susan Collett (Toronto, ON) Tara Cooper (Toronto, ON) Rocky Zenyk Dobey (Toronto, ON) Erik Edson (Sackville, NB) Laine Groeneweg  (Toronto, ON) Libby Hague (Toronto, ON)
Said Melony Ward, “As a juror, it was a treat to spend the day with 100 incredible works of art. Printmaking continues to thrive through Open Studio.”  Dax Morrison commented: “In this age of the digital, it's refreshing and delightful to experience prints produced by hand.  To be able to spend a full day surrounded by such works was an honour. Hopefully, those attending 100 Prints will also experience the thrill of seeing and owning works that are truly inspiring.”
"It was a great pleasure to participate on the Open Studio National Printmaking Awards jury this year,” said Robert Birch. “The entries were many and the quality of work was, frankly, higher than expected, making the decision much more challenging than anticipated.  Congratulations to Open Studio and all the participating artists for their hard work in preparing for such a strong competition.”  All six artists have a chance at winning one of three cash prizes of $3,000 (first prize), $1,500 (second prize) or $500 (third prize) or an honourable mention.
100 Prints Open Studio, a not-for-profit centre for contemporary printmaking practice, provides affordable access to printmaking facilities, programs and services for artists from across Canada and abroad, as well as exhibitions, education programs and print sales.  Celebrating the 26th anniversary of the event this year, 100 Prints is Open Studio’s most important fundraising activity, and helps to support this artist-run centre’s vital artistic programming.
The event features 100 original prints donated by nationally and internationally recognized Canadian artists, and because only 100 tickets are sold, each ticket holder is guaranteed to take home an original fine art print.   Tickets are drawn in random order on the evening of the event, which creates an air of anticipation; as each ticket is drawn, excited guests have one minute to choose a print.
This year’s 100 Prints promises to be the best 100 Prints yet—and one of the best art events of the year.  The festive night also includes fabulous prizes, a raffle, delicious hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction of framed prints specially created by Open Studio artists for this fundraising event. Tickets are now available—the $375 ticket price includes admission for two and a guarantee that you will take home an original piece of original artwork with a minimum value of $375.  As tickets to the event are limited to 100, they will sell out fast, and are nearly 50% sold already. General admission tickets are also available for $50. For full details and event ticket information, visit the 100 Prints microsite.
To date, 100 Prints 2011 is supported by the following sponsors and donors:
Media Sponsor Canadian Art	Printing Sponsor FLASH Reproductions
Gold Sponsors BMO Capital Markets Allison and Jason Chang	Dundee Real Estate Asset Management TD Securities
Silver Sponsors Anonymous Avenue Dental Akau Framing Dr. Martin Bourgeois Cassels Brock Dr. Bruce Freeman	GRI Capital Implant Surgical Care/Lesley David Dentistry Corporation Benjy Katz Dr. Robert Klein Rosenthal Zaretsky Niman and Co., LLP, Chartered Accountants Royal York Orthodontic Yorkville Toronto Dental Specialist
Event Donors All the Best Fine Foods, Asha Massage & Ayurvedic Healing, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Beer Barons, Dr. Marco Caminiti, Canadian Opera Company, Canadian Stage, George and Sandy Duarte at Churrasco Villa, CJ Lunch Box, Robbie Cooper, Dufflet Pastries, Eclipse Fitness Clubs, Evian, Fairmount Royal York, Jeremy Gawen, Hästens, Interior Design Show, The Japanese Paper Place, Ted Margel, Mirvish Productions, Moksha Yoga Danforth, The National Ballet, Nutcracker Sweet, Overcat Communications, Oyster Boy, Palmer Reed Accountants, The Paper Place, Pilates for Life, Porter Airlines, Saman Design, Samuel Kleinberg Jewellers Inc., Segall Cosmetic Clinic, Stratford Festival, Penelope Stewart, Tarragon Theatre, Dr. Howard Tenenbaum, TIC Travel Insurance Coordinators Ltd., Timothy Johnson Design, Toronto School of Art, Umbra, Up In Frames, Variety Crossing Press, Gayle Wagman & Marc Milgrom, Winners and Your Brand Integrated Marketing Communications.
Open Studio gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.  Open Studio also acknowledges the generous support of its members and numerous foundations, corporations and individuals.
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Open Studio 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 104 Toronto ON  M5V 3A8 416-504-8238 office@openstudio.on.ca www.openstudio.on.ca