The Art of Giving Mathieu Laca (gives) back @ P J Mills
More : AIDS, Art Gallery, Art of Giving, Bruce House, Local charity, Mathieu Laca, Ottawa Gay Art, Patrick John Mills
For the past three years, now moving into year four, Ottawa gallerist Patrick John Mills has done an exhibit entitled the Art of Giving. For the month of December the gallery will show over 20 artists, including Être coverboy Mathieu Laca, with Mills taking zero commission on sales, and a trove of art going to AIDS service org Bruce House at the end.
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This December 1-17, the Patrick John Mills Gallery will show over two dozen artists, with works by social realist Karen Bailey and the late, great James Boyd curated amidst a slew of photographers, painters, sculptors and even a jeweller (Joe Pacheco). At the end of the exhibit, Mills asks each artist to donate an art work to beauty the working and living environment of a local charity. As he has done in the past for the Salvation Army’s Grace House, and the Elizabeth Fry Society, this year Ottawa AIDS service org Bruce House will be the recipient of the artists’ largesse.
“December is retail month of the year. So it is not easy to absorb this vision. But it is something I believe in. We need art in our lives,” Patrick John emoted by e-mail when explaining the novel concept for the show. “The artists really benefit. In the past more that 60 art works have sold. So there were some really excited artists. And that makes me happy.” Unlike Laca, who’s become somewhat of a darling of the visual art scene in Ottawa (and at the office of 2Bmag), many visual artists in the capital are unable to make a living from their work, so the show acts kind of like a Christmas bonus for them.
“Getting media attention for doing something good… well it tends to get lost at this season on the year. All the food banks, local charities, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons… all the big guys hit hard and have had all the attention. It is a real economy for these establishments. I am not trying to raise money,” Mills insists. “For me, the Art of Giving has been a way to get art out into the community and help artists. I love art. And I simply wish to share it. When I exit my home… and I walk around… I only wish to see more art. Artists create such amazing things.”
Dream, never sleep, only live dreams seems to be the motto of the gallery, and the message is an imperative one for our time: dreaming and giving, two acts this world could use a lot more of, I’d say.
With special thanks to Mathieu Laca for the use of his dreamy watercolours Nude with Bird, and Voyeur, both of which will be in the show (with a lower than usual price tag, btw).
Art of Giving with Mathieu Laca
Vernissage: December 1st. 6 – 9 pm.
Patrick John Mills Gallery
286 Hinchey Avenue, Ottawa
(613) 729.0406
Elemental Art Party: Dec 17th. 7 pm – 1 am.
Mathieu Laca_ Nude_with_Bird_Watercolour_2007
2 comments
The world needs more dreaming and giving – I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you for your post! I hope lots of people come out for the Art of Giving exhibit and sale. Bravo to Mathieu and Patrick John for choosing Bruce House as their recipient this year: it sets a dreamy and giving example for the community.