Tom Forrestall Gala

A Tom Forrestall Gala by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery will be taking place on Nov. 8, 2008 in Fredericton.

The tribute dinner will be recognizing the achievements of acclaimed Atlantic Canadian artist Tom Forrestall ('58).

Tom was hired by Lord Beaverbrook as assistant curator in 1959. He lived there for approximately 15 years, and now makes his home in Dartmouth, N.S.

A book by Tom Smart called Tom Forrestall: Paintings, Drawings, Writings was recently published by Key Porter Books and a major retrospective exhibition on the artist was just featured at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery is going to be hosting the exhibition in 2009.

Tom Forrestall's son, William Forrestall - a member of the event organizing committee and the representative of the Forrestall family - adds that it is worth noting that his father came to Mount A.

Not only are his parents artists, he and all of his siblings are artistic in one way or another. This gala event, he says, is a great tribute to his Dad and it's a great tribute to his mother, who recently passed away.

His mother, he says, managed his father's career and was instrumental in him establishing his career early on.

Upon graduation from Mount A in 1958, he received one of the first Canada Council grants for independent study and travel throughout Europe.

His principal media have been egg tempura and watercolour and, since 1980, lithography printing. His work has been described as magic realism and is exhibited nationally and internationally.

The money raised through the gala will go to the gallery.

At the gala event, a special announcement will be made that is important for the collection and is important for the (upcoming 50th) anniversary of the gallery. A very special surprise, of national significance, will be announced that evening by our lieutenant-governor.

If that isn't incentive enough to come out, the gala will feature a champagne reception and the music of Les Paiens. Senator Noel Kinsella will be the guest speaker and will introduce Tom Forrestall.

There will also be a short auction featuring unique, once-in-a-lifetime artwork, as well as a multi-media presentation on Forrestall.

The Tom Forrestall Gala is taking place on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Delta. The reception gets underway at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $150, with a tax deduction of $110, and if you purchase a table for eight, you will receive the recent book on Tom Forrestall signed by the artist and the author.

Tickets can be purchased at the front desk of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery or by calling 458-2028. To learn more about the gallery, visit www.beaverbrookartgallery.org.

Read full story: Paying tribute to acclaimed artist Tom Forrestall (Daily Gleaner)