Art Education, for Life
Launching in conjunction with the Prevailing Landscapes exhibition, this groundbreaking Speaker Series initiative is poised to weave the threads of creativity into the fabric of diverse career and life paths. The series serves as a nexus, gathering luminaries from various fields—renowned artists, scientists, thought leaders, and business powerhouses—to illuminate the profound impact of art education on their journeys.
Delve into the intimate narratives of accomplished individuals who credit art education as a catalyst for their success and personal growth. From celebrated artists who’ve shaped cultural landscapes to scientists who find inspiration in the artistic process, and business leaders who understand the strategic value of a creative mind, each speaker brings a unique perspective on the enduring value of art education.
Art Education, for Life transcends traditional boundaries, fostering interdisciplinary conversations that underscore the universal relevance of creative thinking. As speakers share their stories, the series aims to inspire, challenge perspectives, and highlight the transformative power of artistic learning not just in the studio but as a life-long companion.
Art Education, for Life is generously supported by The Audain Foundation, Polygon Homes and Anthem Properties.
All ages are welcome to attend. Admission is by donation. Underground parking is available.
Spring Schedule
May 9 – Art Education Unveiled: Perspectives from Prevailing Landscapes
Featuring artists and educators Stan Douglas, Ian Wallace and Karen Zalamea, and facilitated by Vancouver Art Blog founder Andrew Booth, this conversation provides a compelling exploration of the intricate relationship between art and education. The first installment of our ‘Art Education, for Life’ Speaker Series offers a rare glimpse into the minds of artists who are shaping the landscapes of contemporary art and molding the future of artistic expression through their roles as educators.
Video by Erik Andersen Studios
June 13 – Designing Canada, then and now: Greg Durrell in conversation with Tyler Quarles
Explore the evolution of Canadian design, from its historical roots to modern innovations. Highlights include clips from Durrell’s acclaimed film Design Canada and a thought-provoking discussion on the past, present, and future of Canadian design. Engage with these experts and discover how design shapes Canada’s cultural and national identity.Video by Erik Andersen Studios
Greg Durrell, born in 1983 in Toronto, Ontario, is the owner of Tomorrow Creative Services, a Canadian design studio dedicated to creating impactful brands, products, and films for purpose-driven organizations. Durrell’s design career began at the age of 16, and by 2001, he was a designer and art director at War Child Canada, where he discovered his passion for using design to drive positive change. He played a pivotal role in the design team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and later co-led the award-winning rebrand of the Canadian Olympic Team with Ben Hulse.
Durrell’s expertise extends to a deep understanding of Canada’s design history, which he showcased in his 2018 documentary, “Design Canada.” The film, which explores the influence of European-immigrant designers on Canada’s identity in the 1960s, received international acclaim and debuted at #1 on iTunes in the documentary category. In 2021, he led the rebrand of Mountain Equipment Company. Outside of his professional work, Durrell enjoys spending time with his daughter in the Pacific Northwest.
Tyler Quarles is a Montreal-born and Vancouver-raised design director shaping brand identities and global campaigns since 2007. He has worked with renowned brands like Herschel Supply Co., Arc’teryx, TELUS, Patagonia, Lululemon, MEC. CAPiTA Snowboards and many more. In 2015, he co-founded Baro, a technical apparel brand dedicated to making life better in any weather. He would later go on to design the Canadian Snowboard Team’s official uniforms for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Tyler was fortunate to attend several Artists for Kids camps throughout his education and would later be awarded the Jack Shadbolt AFK scholarship upon graduation. He is an alumni of the IDEA program at Cap U graduating in 2008. Today, Tyler is the director of Quarles Studio™, a Vancouver-based design firm leading visual identity design systems for both established global brands and the new coffee shop down the street. He is proud to sit on the Smith Foundation board of directors and lives in beautiful Deep Cove, BC with his wife, son, and dog.
Fall Schedule
October 16 – Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Cultural Identity in Contemporary Art
Lauren Brevner, James Harry and Xwalacktun in conversation with Jenn Jackson
Delve into the intersection of family lineages, traditional Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw knowledge, and contemporary art education to explore how these elements shape cultural identity. Highlighting the importance of intergenerational wisdom and family as vehicles for learning, Lauren Brevner, James Harry, Order of British Columbia recipient, Xwalacktun, will share valuable perspectives on blending Indigenous traditions with modern artistic practices and cross-cultural influences.
November 5 – A Lens for Discovery: Altered States, Transcendence and Belief
Jeremy Shaw in conversation with Andrew Booth, Vancouver Art Blog founder
North Vancouver-born and Berlin-based artist Jeremy Shaw sits down with Andrew Booth to delve into the role that early exposure to quality art education had in building alternative perspectives on visual media from a young age. A former student of Artists for Kids, Shaw now works in a variety of media to create a post-documentary space to dissect and assemble disparate belief systems and counter-histories.
November 23 – Artful Minds, Scientific Insights
Dr. Maiya Geddes in conversation with Dr. Randy McIntosh
Dr. Maiya Geddes, assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University will be in conversation with Dr. Randy McIntosh, Professor at SFU and Director of the Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, exploring the intricate relationship between art and neuroscience. Geddes will delve into the neural mechanisms shaping creativity and aesthetic experiences, unraveling the mysteries of the mind at the crossroads of artistic expression and cognitive processes.
Explore & Create Saturday Art Program
Families with children ages 5 – 12 are invited to join us on Saturdays from 1 – 3pm for drop-in art activities inspired by works in the Gordon Smith Gallery’s current exhibition.
Participation is by donation. Parent or guardian supervision is required. For additional assistance or accommodation, please contact coordinator@smithfoundation.ca.
Explore & Create will resume when the Gordon Smith Gallery reopens with our fall exbition, Playhouse, in September, 2024.
The Smith Foundation is honoured to be the proud owner of a 100 year old Steinway & Sons baby grand piano, donated by Kathryn Allison in memory of her mother Barbara Allison, a friend and student of Gordon Smith.
The donation of the Steinway piano is in memory of my mother, Barbara Allison. She trained as an opera singer, but when she became a single parent, she went back to school to become a teacher. She met Gordon Smith when she took his Fine Arts Teaching Methods course at UBC. They became great pals and he encouraged her to nurture every child’s creativity, not just the prodigies. Gordon Smith inspired my mother’s teaching practice, and made it possible for me to paint murals all over my bedroom walls. She relented, only because he approved!
Lixia Li plays the 100-year-old Steinway & Sons baby grand piano gifted to the Gordon & Marion Smith Foundation by Kathryn Allison. Photo by Cindy Goodman.