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February 27th - March 24th, 2007
Donald A. Stuart - "Doors from the Past"
An eclectic showing of jewellery inspired by ancient civilizations from Egyptian, to Roman to Barbaric and the major Western Art movements from Gothic through Baroque to Art Nouveau until today.
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As one of Canada’s leading gold/silversmiths, Donald Stuart has earned an international reputation for his exquisite work in jewellery and holloware. During his celebrated career, Stuart has received over 30 significant awards for his artistry in gold, silver, platinum, and diamonds, including the top prizes in many competitions. He has participated in well over 100 national and international exhibitions and has been the subject of 14 one-man shows. Mr. Stuart’s work is found in numerous national, international, public, corporate, and private collections. He is constantly in demand to give lectures and workshops across North America and beyond.
Born in Toronto, Stuart graduated from the Ontario College of Art (AOCA) in 1967 earning the Members of Council Travelling Scholarship. In 1981, he received a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) from the School for American Crafts, Rochester, NY.
In 1969, Stuart initiated the unique weaving project for Inuit women at Pangnirtung, on Baffin Island, Nunavut. This environment is the source of inspiration for many of his designs. Today, this project thrives as a very successful enterprise and is the largest handweaving studio in Canada. The Canadian Museum of Civilization mounted a major 30-year exhibition of the Pangnirtung tapestries from February 2002 until September 2003. It is currently on national tour through 2007. In 1995, Pangnirtung honoured Mr. Stuart with a community feast and a Recognition Award for his “dedication and contribution to the people of Pangnirtung”.
In 1972 Stuart joined the Design Arts faculty at the Barrie Campus of Georgian College. The first program he initiated was in weaving, then in 1989, he launched the unique Jewellery and Metals Program. It continues to be the only college jewellery program in North America to incorporate co-operative education (paid work terms) in its curriculum. His passion for excellence resulted in many national and international honours for his students. His graduates in both weaving and jewellery have gone on to significant careers and are making their own impact and contributions to Canadian culture. In 1990, Georgian College awarded him the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and upon retiring from full-time teaching in September 2001, he was further honoured by being made the College’s first Professor Emeritus. Stuart took early retirement to concentrate on his freelance studio work.
In addition, for over 30 years Mr. Stuart has been a very active volunteer serving as a director of various arts organizations including; the Ontario Crafts Council (President 1983-84); the Canadian Crafts Council; the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts; and the Society of North American Goldsmiths (first Canadian President, 1996-2000). An enthusiastic volunteer with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), he served on assignments with native groups in Canada and with a variety of jewellery related projects in Lesotho (Africa), Costa Rica, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
Other honours bestowed upon Mr. Stuart include: membership in the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA), 1985; the John Mather Award for Service to the Crafts, 1986; the Jean A. Chalmers Award for Craft, 1994 that “recognizes innovation, excellence and contribution to the craft field”; the Order of Ontario, (O.Ont.), 2000 and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, 2002.
In October 2002, Donald A. Stuart was awarded Canada’s highest honour, the Order of Canada (C.M.), in recognition of his illustrious career as a craftsman, and educator. At the investiture, his citation read “his effect on Canada’s arts and crafts industry has been profound and lasting..”. Mr. Stuart is the only craftsperson to hold all three honours – the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the RCA.
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