30 years later, Jean Burke still likes her old stuff

Jean Burke and September 24 have not seen each other in about 30 years.

The enamel on copper piece resides in the Art Gallery of Algoma's permanent collection and is somewhat of a departure for the local artist.

"I was quite surprised to walk in and see it, it's been so long," Burke told SooToday.com. "It's very different from anything I've done. I quite like it."

The reunion of artwork and artist happened Saturday at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Algoma Art Society, hosted by the Art Gallery of Algoma.

Burke was away at art college in 1948 when the Algoma Art Society was formed.

She became a member shortly after returning from school and has been involved off and on ever since.

"They've given so many opportunities to the community by offering workshops and bringing important Canadian artists to the area," said Burke. "They've done a lot to develop a healthy art community in the Algoma region."

The Algoma Art Society 60th Anniversary historical exhibition, A Then and Now Show, will remain on display at the Art Gallery of Algoma until February 23.

The show features work by past, honorary and current members, including Robert Charmichael, Norman Ortiz, Dan Murray, A.Y. Jackson, Gus Weisman, Russ Dawson, Ilene Bondar, Gwen Keatley, Ken Hagerman, Zoey Wood-Salomon and many others.

Algoma Art Society History

In 1948 the Algoma Art Society was formed due to the great interest developed by an increasing number of local amateur and semi-professional artists.

On January 16, 1948 the first organizational meeting was held in the Public Library on Queen Street East in Sault Ste. Marie and on Friday, January 23, 1948 the first art activities commenced.

Aims and objectives of the club:

- To foster art in Sault Ste. Marie and area.

- To develop local talent.

- To promote exhibitions, competitions, classes, sketching trips and lectures.

- To invite prominent artists

- To create a greater interest in art so that ultimately the Sault would become a centre of art and culture as well as industry.

During the first year, the club gained a membership of about 50 members.

Stuart MacDougall, father of well-known Sault Ste. Marie artist Ken MacDougall, was the first president.

The club's first main art exhibition was held in the Public Library from November 8 to 15, 1948.

Eighteen artists participated with a showing of 50 paintings.

Highlights in Algoma Art Society history were visits by members of the Group of Seven, such as F.H. Varley, A.Y. Jackson, and A.J. Casson.

A major milestone was the historic visit by A.Y. Jackson in 1954.

Casson also made several visits and was one of three jurors at the 2nd Annual NOAA Exhibition held at the Sault YMCA in April 1958, and the lone juror of an NOAA Graphics Exhibition held at the Library.

Intermittently from 1953 into the 1960s, the Society sponsored highly recognized summer art schools with Henri Masson, Zoltan Szabo and OCA instructors such as Gustav Weisman, Alex Miller, Aba Bayesky, Louis Muhlstock, Gerald Scott, Robert Hendrick, Gerald Zeldin and George Pepper.

As of January 2008, 60 years later, the Algoma Art Society has 37 current members.

Our president is Nora Harrison.