A very special night for Beth and me. Mayor-elect Jim Watson presented me with the Lucille Broadbent Award for Artistic Achievement at the 2nd Annual Ottawa Art Expo. Jim said some very kind and generous things about me in his introduction. The fact that we have known each other for quite some time made it very personal.
As I stood at the podium to thank Jim and the organizers of the Expo, I looked out over the audience and realized that for the most part, half the audience were people I’d known for over forty years. Then there was my daughter, Kirsten, my surrogate daughter, Wendy and her husband, Dave, and, of course, Beth. A great swell of emotion hit me and I had to pull myself together to finish my remarks. It was Beth’s diligent efforts that brought all these friends out. They all said they wanted to share this wonderful event with us. I think only about five invitees couldn’t make it. One of our guests brought me roses. Lots of congratulatory emails rolled in and are still coming.
David Johnston a freelancer from Kanata EMC interviewed and photographed me and his resulting article was excellent. The Kanata Kourier-Standard also did an article which included an image of one of my oil paintings. Coverage like this is worth so much.
Sales at the show were good and I have been enjoying brisk sales since. Ottawa Art Expo is an exhibition and sale for artists run by artists and it shows. I love the eight feet high Modu-Loc fencing that is used to display one’s work. This year black draping for the display grids and lighting were added for everyone. There is a real effort to present a uniform look. Only original art is allowed. Not even cards are permitted.
Next year, the plan is to have name signs for all artists’ booths. The Gala for the awards evening is very well done with wine and hors d’oeuvres for all. Some of those who couldn’t make it on Friday for the Gala came on Saturday and Sunday.
Our neighbor helped us load the car and set up our booth. More friends helped us dismantle the booth at the end and load the car. They even helped unload the car and bring everything back into the house. They made it so much easier for us and we are very grateful for their assistance. So, tired, but not as tired as we might have been, a fantastic event came to an end.
Enjoy the photos, and also check out the articles below.
October 28, 2010 – Kanata Kourier-Standard – page 15
Mlacak to receive Lucille Broadbent award at art expo
One of John Mlacak’s works, "Première neige, arrière-cour" shows backyards around the Spadina area of Chinatown in Toronto
John Mlacak is to be awarded the Lucille Broadbent Artistic Achievement Award from the Board of Ottawa Art Expo on Friday, Oct. 29.
“I think it’s great,” said Mlacak. “I’m certainly honoured to receive something like that. It’s a recognition of a lot of things I do. I know people appreciate my participation in their events.”
Mlacak has been a pillar in the Kanata community for years.
Mlacak and his wife Beth moved to the area in 1965 and he got involved with local municipal and regional politics as Councillor and then as Reeve of March Township (now the community of Kanata).
Mlacak, who primarily paints with oils, participates in numerous art groups and exhibitions.
“This is certainly an honour,” he said about the award.
“Particularly from a good part of the artistic community,” said Mlacak.
The Lucille Broadbent Award is to commemorate the lifelong support to the arts given by the late Lucille Broadbent.
It’s presented to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to Canada’s and Ottawa’s artistic community.
“From the Kanata point of view, Lucille lived on Beaverbrook Lane,” said Beth. “Lucille was the first French teacher at Stephen Leacock Public School. They had a connection
with Kanata as well as the artist that’s receiving it, namely John.”
Mlacak is a founding member of the Kanata Civic Art Gallery, which is located at the John G. Mlacak Centre on Campeau Drive.
Also available in PDF format.
John is doing a solo exhibition at Gallery on the Lake. The show is from Sunday, August 29 to Friday, October 1, 2010 and John looks forward to meeting and discussing his work with visitors on Sunday, August 29 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Gallery has represented John’s work since 2001.
Paintings of back yards in the Spadina Avenue neighborhoods of Toronto will be exhibited for the first time. In these works clutter and garbage pails abound with late spring snow adding a unique dimension.
New, larger paintings of northern Ontario and Quebec woodlands reflect the full impact of nature’s beauty.
Gallery on the Lake
31 Gallery on the Lake Road
Buckhorn, ON
K0L 1J0
At the residence of the Governor General at Rideau Hall, Oct 13, 2009
The Canadian Governor-General will soon be visiting Croatia, Slovenia and Greece. In preparation for these state visits, she hosted a reception at her home with the help of the Canadian Ambassadors from these three countries. Artists with Croatian and Slovenian ethnic roots displayed their art and the Greek contingent had a choir with Bouzouki accompaniment.
The event also featured at the stage performances, a folk singer from Slovenia and a classical guitarist from Croatia.
The event was well attended and I got to meet the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, and even had her photo taken with me and my paintings.
The food was traditional servings from the three countries – wonderful, hard to stick to only one country.
A very successful social and art exhibit for all that attended.
From July 10 to September 5, two of my oils are in the Society of Canadian Artists “Roots” Exhibition at the Saint John Arts Centre in Saint John, New Brunswick.
