Regina, Saskatchewan – Thursday, May 16, 2019: Today at 10 AM, the MacKenzie Art Gallery will be unveiling a new brand and visual identity. This new brand is one phase in a series of initiatives the MacKenzie is undertaking as we re-imagine what an Art Museum for the 21st century can be.
“The MacKenzie’s goal is to create transformative experiences of the world through art, and we want to see this mission reflected in the look and the feeling that you get as soon as you walk into the Gallery,” says Johanna Salloum, President of the MacKenzie Art Gallery’s Board of Trustees. “This event will help situate the MacKenzie’s new look within the other changes we are undertaking this spring and summer, and will give our stakeholders the opportunity to understand how these changes will work hand in hand with the new and enhanced programming we will be offering.”
This event will include a conversation with Pam Klein of the Phoenix Group, and Marcelle Lussier of Urbanink, both of whom have played integral roles in developing the MacKenzie’s new brand. They will be joined by Anthony Kiendl, the MacKenzie’s CEO and Executive Director. The event will be followed by a coffee reception in the lobby.
“One of the MacKenzie’s strategic objectives is to communicate our vital core identity,” says Anthony Kiendl, Executive Director and CEO of the MacKenzie Art Gallery. “Our visual identity is an immediate and exciting component of relating our values and purpose. As a visual arts organization, visual communication and design is a key component of our activities, and we will now be able to enhance those strategies. The outcome will be an overall improvement of the visitor experience.”
A public event will take place this evening, as we celebrate both the brand launch and welcome our new Assistant Curator, Tak Pham, to the MacKenzie team. Robin Poitras will perform A Silk Ode to the MacKenzie, featuring cellist Cameron Lowe, in the T.C. Douglas Building Atrium at 7 PM; and our new Assistant Curator Tak Pham, will be giving a presentation, entitled “Agency and Spaces – A Show and Tell” in the Shumiatcher Theatre at 7:30 PM.
About Robin Poitras
Robin Poitras is one of Saskatchewan’s most prolific dance and performance creators. After completing a BFA (special honours) in dance at York University, with further studies in Zurich, Duke University, Winnipeg and Montreal, she embarked on a professional dance career in 1984. In 1986, along with Dianne Fraser, Robin co-founded New Dance Horizons, where she continues to act as artistic director.
About Tak Pham
Tak Pham is a Vietnamese contemporary art curator and art critic. He holds a B.A Hons. in History and Theory of Architecture from Carleton University, and a MFA in Criticism and Curatorial Practice from OCAD University.
About Pam Klein
Pam Klein is the President of Phoenix Group and serves on the Board of Governors of the University of Regina. Klein is a graduate of the U of R (BA) and University of Manitoba (MEd) and certified Professional Director from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. She’s worked across Canada, in Italy and China and is proud to call Saskatchewan home.
About Marcelle Lussier
Marcelle Lussier (BFA, LGDC) founded Urbanink nearly fifteen years ago. She has been a guest speaker at the Art Now series hosted by the University of Manitoba, has hosted letterpress workshops and is an active member of the mentorship program at Red River College.