The Art of Robert Bateman exhibition at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection closes on Sunday, November 4th on a record-breaking note
Kleinburg, ON. November 5, 2007 …The McMichael Canadian Art Collection announced today that The Art of Robert Bateman exhibition, which closed on Sunday, November 4th, resulted in record-breaking attendance for the public gallery.
The Art of Robert Bateman, which opened on September 1st, was held over for one week due to the overwhelming public response to the retrospective exhibition. Attendance for the exhibition exceeded 48,000 visitors, which represented a 101.9% increase over a similar period last year. Furthermore, the opening day of the exhibition attracted more than 2,000 visitors, setting a new record for the McMichael.
“We were very pleased to be the only Canadian venue to host this exhibition before it tours to the United States and obviously we are thrilled that Mr. Bateman’s work resonates with so many Canadians,” said Tom Smart, McMichael Executive Director and CEO. “This exhibition is among our most well-attended and the enthusiastic visitor response resulted in many days of capacity crowds. The Art of Robert Bateman attracted thousands of first-time visitors to the McMichael who were also able to experience our extraordinary collections of Group of Seven, First Nations and Inuit art in a spectacular fall setting.”
The Art of Robert Bateman, produced and curated by U.S. wildlife artist expert Dr. David J. Wagner, is an exhibition that not only celebrates the work of the Canadian artist but also highlights his long-standing commitment to the preservation of endangered species and the restoration of sensitive ecosystems. This special exhibition, now traveling to the United States, contains over 50 signature paintings, bronze sculpture, books and videos, plus works on paper which include examples of Robert Bateman’s original prints and personal sketchbooks.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection will next be presenting Miller Brittain: When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears. The exhibition examines the life and art of the late Canadian artist. The show has been curated by Tom Smart in conjunction with the Beaverbrook Gallery in Fredericton. Mr. Smart also wrote a biography about Miller Brittain in concert with the exhibition which opens Friday, November 16th.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations and Inuit artists.
-30-
For High Rez Photo and other information
Media Contact
Stephen Weir, Publicist
(905) 893-1121 ext. 2529 Gallery
(416) 489-5868 Home Office
(416) 801-3101 Cell
sweir5492@rogers.com
