Incoming director favours more local content
Five new trustees appointed in overhaul of panel that is shrouded in mystery
One of the incoming Remai Modern board members wants the art gallery to be more like its predecessor.
Grant Mcconnell, a Saskatoon artist and educator, said in a brief interview on Thursday that he would like more local and regional artists’ work featured at the new gallery, which opened in October 2017.
Mcconnell was among five new board members appointed Monday in an overhaul that remains shrouded in mystery.
The Starphoenix contacted four of the new board members this week, but only Mcconnell agreed to speak. Mcconnell said since he does not officially join the board for two weeks, he was reluctant to talk at length.
“I’m looking forward to serving on the board,” he said. “I’ve been watching Remai, they’re doing some good things, but I’m looking to make my contribution.”
Mcconnell noted that the Mendel Art Gallery, which closed in 2015 to make way for the Remai Modern, featured a “well-balanced program” of local and regional art, along with national and international works.
The Mendel also had free admission, while visitors have to either pay an admission fee or buy a membership to enter Remai Modern, except on occasional sponsored free admission days.
Three other new appointees — Debra Pozega Osburn, Doug Matheson and Louis Christ — declined interview requests. Christ added in an email: “I believe in the gallery and what it brings to our community, and will do my best to help it succeed.”
Seven current board members, including chair Scott Verity, are departing. Some have hinted at meddling by city council.
Council officially approved the new board members on Monday. The departures began last month when, according to secretary Alison Norlen, she and Verity were informed by Mayor Charlie Clark that they would not be reappointed.
The ouster of Verity and Norlen sparked four more board resignations, in addition to one member who had already planned to leave.
Norlen, Verity and Veronica Gamracy have all hinted at city hall or council interference in the operation of the gallery.
Clark told reporters on Monday that council’s role is to appoint the gallery’s board, not to interfere with programming or operations. He declined an opportunity to deny there had been intervention by politicians, and cut questions short.
Council voted in December to create a “working group” that includes three city councillors and three members of the Remai Modern board.
Coun. Mairin Loewen, who also serves on the Remai Modern board, has been appointed to the working group along with Coun. Bev Dubois and Coun. Ann Iwanchuk.
A spokesman for Clark, Jordan Sherbino, said this week that the purpose of the group as well as the discussion about creating it were confidential. He said the group has not yet met.
Loewen said in an email last week that the working group was not related to board appointments, but suggested more information about its mandate could be forthcoming.
Loewen did not respond to an email this week seeking more information.
Coun. Cynthia Block, who also serves on the Remai Modern board, said Clark was serving as the spokesman on the matter.
The Starphoenix contacted Loewen, Block, Dubois and Iwanchuk this week to offer them an opportunity to address suggestions of meddling by council. None responded.
Five board members are believed to be returning for another term, including Block, Loewen, Fatima Coovadia, Grant Stoneham and Beau Atkins.
Clark has cited the confidential nature of board and committee appointments for the lack of information about the turnover. Uncertainty lingers about how many spots on the 14-person board will be occupied. There appeared to be two vacancies prior to the departures.
The board turmoil comes as gallery executive director and CEO Gregory Burke prepares to depart in two weeks.
Burke has been tapped as executive director of a gallery in his hometown of Auckland, New Zealand after leading Remai Modern to a first year that surpassed projections for visitors and revenue.
I’ve been watching Remai, they’re doing some good things, but I’m looking to make my contribution.