About MAGC

Harold Gordon Stacey, 1911-1997, Toronto, Ontario, Founding member of the Metal Arts Guild and Society of North Amercian Goldsmiths
Coffee set, sterling silver, rosewood,
h. 21 cm, 1950

Seventies exhibitions reflected the emergence of graduates, expecially women, from broadened college programmes. The work reveals an interest in experimentation and a wider range of metalworking techniques like fusing and reticulation. Designs were more abstract in form. By the late 1970s acrylics and alternatives became so popular for jewellery that calls for entry stipulated that submissions must contain some metal. After all, the shows were entitled the Medium is Metal.

Pat Hunt, Toronto, Ontario,
Brooch, sterling silver, 1969

Reeva Perkins, 1917-1994, Toronto, Ontario,
Brooch, sterling silver, 1971

James Robson, Toronto, Ontario
"Look out for the cow!!"
Brooch, sterling silver, copper, 18K gold, shakudo, shibuichi, 3.5 cm x 5.5 cm, 1984

In 1986, the annual exhibition began adopting a theme for participants to address. Rather than simply submit their year's best work, members were forced to grapple with questions like architectural influences, resources, erotica, and personal "geography". A new maturity and professionalism took hold as evidenced by the photography and fine catalogue documentation. The guild's exhibitions travelled across Canada and to the United States and were acknowledged in European and American journals.

Kye-yeon Sun, Halifax, Nova Scotia,
"Hard to Reach"
Pewter, copper, steel, niobium, slate 12x12x8", 1988

Although a period of economic downturn led to the exhibition becoming biennial in 1993, volunteer show committees have continued the tradition of fundraising to encourage and reward excellence in metal. To realize the longstanding goal of a permanent collection of contemporary metalwork in Canada, an agreement with the Canadian Museum of Civilization was reached that facilitates a permanent holding from each exhibition.

Approaching the millennium Canadians interested in art jewellery and holloware are grateful for the foresight of the Metal Arts Guild's founders and the resiliency of their successors. The exhibition record well demonstrates how members have responded to influences from the design and art worlds, the marketplace, new craft techniques, and their own need for personal expression. It also reflects a broader image of both Ontario and Canada that spans cities and fish stocks, materials and ideas, humour and beauty.

Michel Alain Forgues, Bellechasse, Québec,
Sculpture, sterling silver, 14K gold, copper, 1991