On September 20th, the Burnaby Art Gallery opened Prior Editions: 10 Years of Canadian Printmaking, an exhibition on the history and development of one of Canada's premiere print shops. The exhibition features works from the City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection, Prior Editions Studio and several private collections. Works by artists such as Jack Shadbolt, Gordon Smith, Molly Lamb Bobak, Gathie Falk, Toni Onley, Otis Tamasauskas, Karen Curry, Robert Young, and Carel Moiseiwitsch highlight this expansive retrospective exhibition.

Prior Editions Studio is an important contributor to the development of contemporary printmaking in Canada. Owned and operated in Vancouver, British Columbia from 1989 to 1999 by artist and master printmaker Torrie Groening, the studio printed and published contemporary hand-pulled prints by artists from across the nation. The studio focussed on investigating, experimenting and creating works of art in the lithographic, intaglio and relief forms of printmaking.

"Torrie Groening's direction assisted in forging a truly collaboratively based studio based on her experience and practice that has been instrumental in the development of the printmaking medium," says Burnaby Art Gallery curator Darrin Martens. "The works created at the studio are part of many private, national and international collections and represent excellence in contemporary Canadian prints."

Opus Framing and Art Supplies and president, David van Berkel were important contributors to the success of Prior Editions operations. The majority of works printed and framed at the studio were done on paper and in the frames purchased from Opus. The partnership continues today, however in a different form. Join us for an all ages interactive art experience that combines the exhibition and a free hands-on studio activity Sunday October 23rd from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. No pre-registration is required for this event. Opus Framing and Art Supplies is co-sponsoring this event as well as the public programs associated with the exhibition happening throughout the month.

On behalf of the Visual Arts Advisory Committee and the staff at the Burnaby Art Gallery I would like to thank Opus for their ongoing support of the visual arts and in particular the printmaking medium.

Special feature by guest contributor, Darrin Martens.