For Immediate Release:

Shortlist Announced for Open Studio National Printmaking Awards
Best of Canadian Printmaking to be Celebrated at Open Studio's 100 Prints

Toronto, ON – April 10, 2012 – On Thursday, May 17, six talented artists will be recognized for their achievements in printmaking during the fifth annual Open Studio National Printmaking Awards. The ceremony will take place at the Palais Royale in Toronto, at 100 Prints, a fundraising event in support of Open Studio.

A distinguished jury selected the shortlist from prints that have been donated to Open Studio by emerging and established artists from across Canada. The jury members, who had the difficult job of choosing the award winners were: Dawn Cain, Ph.D., Curator of the BMO Financial Group Corporate Art Collection; Wil Kucey, owner/director of LE Gallery; and Ann MacDonald, Director/ Curator of the Doris McCarthy Gallery, University of Toronto, Scarborough.

The artists shortlisted for the Open Studio National Printmaking Awards are:

• Chloé Beaulac (Montréal, QC)
• Erik Edson (Sackville, NB)
• Joscelyn Gardner (London, ON)
• Shogo Okada (Toronto, ON)
• Robert Truszkowski (Regina, SK)
• Daryl Vocat (Toronto, ON)

Click here to download a PDF preview of the shortlisted works, along with the rest of the works that will be available at 100 Prints 2012.

Said Dawn Cain, "I was honoured to be part of the judging team this year. The variety of the submissions and the level of accomplishment they display is remarkable — congratulations to the artists and to Open Studio for all they do to foster the art of printmaking." Wil Kucey commented: "It's always a privilege to be reminded of the vibrant community of nation-wide printmakers, and [the Open Studio National Printmaking Award] provides just that experience. The submissions and selections for this year...reflect an incredible diversity in both background and technique and are a rare opportunity to view a survey of the healthy and thriving community that Canada nurtures. [100 Prints is] not to be missed."

"It's inaccurate to say that one 'sits on a jury,'" said Ann MacDonald. "Far from this passive description, we were met with a barrage of dynamic images — materialized thanks to boundless imaginations and expert application of technique. The fortunate 100 [ticket holders] who attend the fundraiser will take home an exquisite work of art that is of unwavering substance and character." All six shortlisted artists have a chance at winning one of three cash prizes of $3,000 (first prize), $1,500 (second prize) or $500 (third prize), or an honourable mention.





Open Studio, a not-for-profit centre for contemporary printmaking practice, provides affordable access to printmaking facilities, programs and services for artists from across Canada and abroad, as well as exhibitions, education programs and print sales. Celebrating the 27th anniversary of the event this year, 100 Prints is Open Studio's most important fundraising activity, and helps to support this artist-run centre's vital artistic programming.

The event features 100 original prints donated by nationally and internationally recognized Canadian artists, and because only 100 tickets are sold, each ticket holder is guaranteed to take home an original fine art print. Tickets are drawn in random order on the evening of the event; as each ticket is drawn, excited guests have one minute to choose a print.

This year's 100 Prints is shaping up to be one of the best 100 Prints yet. The festive night also includes fabulous prizes, a raffle, delicious hors d'oeuvres, open bar and a silent auction of framed prints specially created by Open Studio artists for this fundraising event.

Tickets are now available — the $375 ticket price includes admission for two and a guarantee that you will take home an original piece of artwork with a minimum value of $375 — many of are worth much more. As tickets to the event are limited to 100, they will sell out fast, and are already going quickly. General admission tickets are also available for $50. For full details and event ticket information, visit the 100 Prints microsite.

To date, 100 Prints 2012 is supported by:
Media Sponsor: Canadian Art
Printing Sponsor: FLASH Reproductions
Gold Sponsor: BMO Financial Group
Silver Sponsors: Akau Framing & Art; Cassels Brock Lawyers; Dr. R. K. Chandra; Rogers Communications, Inc.; and Rosenthal Zaretsky Niman and Co., LLP, Chartered Accountants
Final Ticket Drawn Door Prize Donor: Porter Airlines
Food & Beverage Donors: Dufflet Pastries; King Brewery, Live Organic Food Bar; Oyster Boy; Sababa Fine Foods; Thornbury Cider, Urban Herbivore; and Wanda's Pie in the Sky
Event Donors: Art Gallery of York University; Art Metropole; Asha Massage & Ayurvedic Healing; Atelier GF; Buddies in Bad Times Theatre; C Magazine; Canadian Art; Canadian Opera Company; Canadian Stage; Coach House Books; Dorset Fine Arts; Downward Dog Yoga Centre; Ken Ewen; Jeremy Gawen; The Interior Design Show; International Readings at Harbourfront; The Japanese Paper Place; Koyama Press; Magic Pony/Narwhal Art Projects; The Mindful Movement Centre; Moksha Yoga Danforth; Theresa Morin; One of a Kind Show; Opera Atelier; The Palais Royale; The Power Plant; Saman Design; St. Anne's Spa; Stratford Festival; Toronto Life; Toronto School of Art; United Messenger; Up In Frames; Daryl Vocat; and Woolfitt's Art Enterprises, Inc.

Open Studio gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council. Open Studio also acknowledges the generous support of its members and numerous foundations, corporations and individuals.

Open Studio
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 104
Toronto ON M5V 3A8
416-504-8238
office@openstudio.on.ca
www.openstudio.on.ca