Tom Thomson Art Gallery

Persona Volare EXPO May 1 to June 21, 2009 Opening Reception: Friday, May 1 at 7pm. Sponsored by: The Sun Times and Best Western Inn on the Bay

Starting May 1 to June 21, 2009, The Tom Thomson Art Gallery presents an exhibition by the Toronto-based artist collective Persona Volare, including artists: Carlo Cesta, Michael Davey, John Dickson, Rebecca Diederichs, Brian Hobbs, Lorna Mills, Lisa Neighbour, Chantel Rousseau, Lyla Rye, Kate Wilson and Johannes Zits. All are welcome to join us for the opening reception at 7 pm on May 1 and to meet the artists.  Mills and Diederichs will give a short presentation on the history of the collective, followed by a walk-about with the artists.

Formed in 2000, Persona Volare explores non-museum sites, especially sites that have a special symbolic charge.  The group has often shown in alternative industrial and commercial spaces in Toronto, but has also exhibited at the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, France and at the outdoor Tree Museum in Muskoka.  For EXPO, each member has created a piece that is a response to, or is in conversation with, an artwork from the collection of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.  From Guido Molinari to Tom Thomson to Cornelius Krieghoff, the Persona Volare crew has unearthed treasures covering the span of Canadian art history by a wide range of artists, and has responded with to each with a contemporary twist.   This “collection intervention” prompts artistic cross-pollination between genres and periods, celebrating the fruitful and provocative partnerships that result. 

Free public tours of the exhibition will be offered on the third Sunday, May 17 and June 21 at 2 pm.  This exhibition is sponsored by The Sun Times and Best Western Inn on the Bay.

Large Image (detail): Chantal Rousseau, And now let us weep for the lovely lovely ladies of CSI Vegas, seasons 3 through 6: foxes, 2007. 11 x 14 inches, ink drawing.  
Small Image: Logo created by Kate Wilson and Johannes Zits for Persona Volare: EXPO.