Antonio (Tony) Tascona - An Artists Life

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Tony Tascona was in many ways a man of the people. He never forgot where he came from, what he went through on the way to success in art, his community, or the creative spirit needed to adapt to the changing times. Before there was art, there was WWII, before that the Great Depression, and there were sports, hockey and baseball.

This web site endeavours to tell the story in a way that honors and preserves his memory, while providing good information to the many supporters, patrons, galleries, and art professionals across Canada and abroad. In addition to excellence in art, Tony was a great salesman enabling a modicum of commercial success well before any gallery or dealer would handle his works.

More stories on this topic for articles that follow.

  • Videos

    St.Boniface Hospital Children's Research Centre

    Manitoba Law Courts Building

    Freshwater Institute @ The University of Manitoba

  • Works & Collections
  • Professional Biography
    1950-53    Post Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba School of Fine Art 1950         Winnipeg School of Art Diploma
    1992         Sixteen Years of Printmaking, Centre Cultural Franco-Manitobain, St. Boniface, Manitoba 1992         Tony Tascona - Encapsulating Rhythms, Riddell Hall Gallery, University of Winnipeg 1987         Tony Tascona Shoe Sculpture, fundraiser for St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre 1984         The Dynamics of Tony Tascona, Winnipeg Art Gallery; travelling to Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina;                 Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax 1980         Robertson Gallery, Ottawa 1979         Kesik Gallery, Regina 1978         Damjkar Burton Gallery, Toronto 1976         Windsor Public Art Gallery 1976         Rodman Hall Art Gallery, St. Catherines, Ont. 1976         La Gallerie Internationale, Ribe, Denmark 1974         Art Gallery of Brantford, Ont. (travelling) 1974         Winnipeg Centennial Show, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1971         Upstairs Gallery, Winnipeg 1971         Atlantic Art Circuit, (Maritimes travelling) 1969         Griffith Gallery, Vancouver 1968         Carman Lamanna Gallery, Toronto 1967         Winnipeg Art Gallery 1965         Yellow Door Gallery, Winnipeg 1965         Fathers of Confederation Art Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I. 1965         Blue Barn Gallery, Ottawa 1964         La Gallerie Soixante, Montreal 1962         Calgary Allied Art Centre 1962         Winnipeg Art Gallery 1961         Brant Gallery, Brantford, Ont. 1960         Winnipeg Art Gallery 1958         University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
    1995         Fractured Spaces, Winnipeg Art Gallery celebrates 25th anniversary of Manitoba Arts Council 1995         Modernism Triumphant: Canadian Art of the 1960´s, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1995         Hidden Values: Contemporary Canadian Art in Corporate Collections, Edmonton Art Gallery 1994         Artists´ Circle, Triangle Gallery, Calgary 1992         The Grand Western Canadian Screenshop - Printing People and History, Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina                 (permanent collection) 1988         Winnipeg Works on Paper, The Art Gallery of Peterborough, Ont. 1987         1987: Contemporary Art in Manitoba, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1977         Artists´ Prints and Multiples, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1976         Spectrum Exhibition, R.C.A., Montreal Olympics 1971         91st R.C.A. Show, Montreal and Charlottetown, P.E.I. 1987         The Self Portrait Exhibition 1987, Gallery 454, Winnipeg 1980         Winnipeg Artists as Print-Makers, Harbourfront Gallery, Toronto 1980         R.C.A. Centennial Exhibition - Manitoba Members Winnipeg Art Gallery 1973         Two Nations - Six Artists, Moorhead State College, Moorhead, Minnesota and  Winnipeg 1972         Manitoba Mainstream, National Gallery of Canada (travelling) 1971         Four Man Show, Centennial Art Centre, Brandon, Manitoba 1970         90th R.C.A. Show, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa 1970         150 years of Manitoba Painting, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1970         University of Waterloo Art Auction, Waterloo, Ontario 1969         89th R.C.A. Show, Hamilton, Ontario and Edmonton 1968         Survey 68, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Invitational 1968         Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto 1968         11th Biennial Winnipeg Show, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1968         Deck the Grange Exhibition, Art Gallery of Ontario 1967         Habitat, Canadian Artists Exhibition, EXPO 67, Montreal 1967         Canadian Art of Our Time, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1967         7th Biennial Exhibition, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa 1967         Four Man Show, Carmen Lamanna Gallery, Toronto 1967         Four Man Show, Little Gallery, Vancouver 1966         186th R.C.A. Show, Hamilton, Ontario 1966         94th Annual Exhibition, Ontario Art Gallery, Toronto 1966         17th Annual Winter Exhibition, Hamilton, Ontario 1966         Seven Winnipeg Artists, University of Manitoba 1966         26th Western Ontario Exhibition, London, Ontario 1966         Visua 66, Montreal Museum of Fine Art 1966         Rodman Hall Invitational Exhibition, St. Catherines, Ontario 1966         Canadian Artists Invitational, Hamilton, Ontario 1965         National Gallery Biennial, Ottawa 1965         85th R.C.A. Show, Montreal 1965         93rd Annual Exhibition, Ontario Gallery of Art, Toronto 1965         Canadian Art Today Exhibition, Sobot Gallery, Toronto and Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ont. 1964         London Arts Festival Invitational Exhibition, Ont. 1964         Fathers of Confederation Invitational Exhibition, Charlottetown, P.E.I. 1963         Tenth Annual Young Contemporaries Retrospective Exhibit, London, Ont. (travelling) 1963         83rd R.C.A. Show, Toronto and St. John´s, Newfoundland 1963         L´Exposition des Concours Artistiques, Beaux Arts, Montreal and Province de Quebec Musee 1963         Graphica, (three man travelling show in western Canada) 1963         Two Man Show, Montreal Museum of Fine Art 1963         Lyman Allyn Museum, New London, Connecticut 1962         Graphic Group Show, 1640 Gallery, Montreal 1961         Three Man Show, University of Western Ontario, London 1960         Winnipeg Invitational Show, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1960 1960         Winnipeg Show, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1961/64/68 1960         14th Annual Exhibition and Sale of Contemporary Canadian Art, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto 1960         Vancouver Contemporary Sale, Vancouver Art Gallery 1960         Montreal Museum of Fine Art Spring Exhibition, 1960-64    Montreal Contemporary Sale, Montreal Museum of Fine Art (invitational, numerous exhibits) 1960         Alberta College of Art Print Show, Edmonton (several times) 1960         Aviva Chapter Hadassah Exhibition, Ottawa (numerous times) 1959         Three Man Show, Park Gallery, Toronto 1958         Two man Show, Park Gallery, Toronto 1950         Montreal Museum of Fine Art Spring Exhibition, 1956/57 1950         Winnipeg Show, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1957/58/59 1950         Progressive Painters of Western Canada, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1950         Western Canada Art Circuit, London Public Library, Ont. 1950         1958 Minneapolis Walker Art Centre Biennial, Minnesota 1950         Iowa State University Print Show 1950         Midwest Invitational Show, Grand Rapids, Michigan1950         Midwest Invitational Show, Grand Rapids, Michigan
    1992         Achieving the Modem: Canadian Abstract Painting and Design in the 1950´s, Winnipeg Art Gallery                 (travelling to Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, P.E.I.; the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon-,                 the Edmonton Art Gallery; and the Art Gallery of Windsor, Ont.) 1990-91    Glenbow Museum Acquisitions Society´s Eighth Annual ARTLOTTO, Calgary 1984         Manitoba Artists Overseas, Winnipeg Art Gallery (travelling to Canada House in London, Paris, Brussels 1980         Norwegian International Print Biennale, Fredrikstad, Norway 1976         The Grand Western Canadian Screen Shop, Paris, France 1975         C.O.T.C. Telsat Competition, Montreal 1975         Three Prairie Painters, Damjkar Burton Gallery, Hamilton, Ont. 1975         The First Decade 1964-75, Fathers of Confederation Art Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I. 1974         Prairies Exhibition, Saidye Bronfinan Gallery, Montreal 1974         9 and 10, Hamilton Art Gallery, Ont. 1967         National Gallery Exhibition in Australia 1967         Director´s Choice, Confederation Art Centre and Museum, Charlottetown, P.E.I. 1965         Four Winnipeg Painters, (travelling show sponsored by the Art Institute of Ontario 1965         Canadian Prints and Drawing, Cardiff Commonwealth Arts Festival, Wales
    Corporate Aikens Macaulay and Thorvaldson Law Firm, Wpg. Asai Brewery, Tokyo, Japan CIL House, Montreal Craig Zeidler and Strong Architects, Toronto Federal Industries, Wpg. Gaboury Associates Architects Inc., Wpg. Great West Life Assurance Company, Wpg. Gulf Canada Square, Calgary Kirin Brewery, Tokyo, Japan Magna-Tech Graphics, Wpg. Moody Moore and Associates, Wpg. Number 10 Architectural Group, Wpg. Petrocan Ltd., Toronto Richardson, James and Son Ltd., Wpg. Shell Centre, Calgary Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Incorporated, Wpg, Desmond Smith Collection, Price Waterhouse and Co., Wpg. Thorne Riddell Associates, Wpg. Toronto Dominion Bank of Canada, Wpg. Toronto Dominion Centre, Toronto Ward and Macdonald Associates, Wpg. Western Co-op Fertilizers Ltd. Calgary Western Paint, Wpg. Winnipeg Supply, Ltd. Wpg.    
    St. Boniface Museum, Wpg, Sarnia Museum and Art Gallery, Ont. Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts, Calgary Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre, Ottawa Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre (Oseredok), Wpg. Athabasca University, Alberta University of Calgary, Alberta University of Manitoba, Law School, Wpg. University of Manitoba Law School, Sam Drache Collection, Wpg. University of Manitoba, School of Architecture, Wpg. University of Manitoba, School of Architecture, Wpg. University of Manitoba, School of Art, Wpg. University of Manitoba, St. John´s College, Wpg. University of Moncton, New Brunswick University of Regina, Archives University of Winnipeg, MB. Vancouver Art Gallery Winnipeg Art Gallery
    Richard Andison, Wpg. Dr. Joy Arpin, Ft. Myers, Florida Neil Baker, Wpg. Lia and Michael Banville, Wpg. Doris and Burton Bass, Wpg. Diane Boyle, Toronto Ivan Berkowitz, Wpg. Mr. and Mrs. Morley Blankstein, Wpg. Sigrid and Jan Boning, Wpg. Cynthia and Izzy Coop, Wpg. Doug Crane, Toronto Gilles Copp, Fertile, Saskatchewan Peter D. Curry, Montreal Holly and Norm Daumler, Wpg. Ann Dean, San Antonio, Texas Sonya and Joe De Vriendt, Wpg. Iris and John Doole, Wpg.  Marge and Sam Drache, Wpg. Jill and Murray Drope, Calgary Pat and Murray Drope, Gibsons, B.C. Edna and Russel Edwards, Wpg. Judy and Gary Edwards, Brandon, MB Mr. and Mrs.Pat Fehr, Calgary Sheila Feltham, Wpg. Linda and Dr. Allen Finkleman, Wpg. Terry Gallinger, Wpg. Delores and Luke Girard, Ft. Wayne, Indianna Alba and Marshall Haid, Wpg. Elspeth and Harry Haid, Wpg. Lenor Berscheid and John Harvard, Wpg.
    Phil Heiland, Toronto Joyce and Murray Hodgkinson, Beaver, Pennsylvania Mr. and Mrs. Alain Hogue, Wpg. Professor Ken Hughes, Wpg. Doris Mae Oulton and Cam Mackie, Wpg. Mr. and Mrs. Marce Mayhew, New York Bal and Ramon Mustapha, Wpg. Judy and Jay Mustapha, Wpg. Mr. and Mrs. G. Millard, Edmonton Colleen and Carl Nelson, Wpg. S.B. Nitikman, Wpg. Mindel and Tom Olenick, Wpg. Jan Orihel, Wpg. Simone and Jim Orzechowski, Wpg. Cliff Penner, Wpg. Cathie and Patrick Payne, Wpg. Eleanor and Dr. Norman Rosen, Lafayette, California Margery Beer and Terry Sargent, Victoria, B.C. Cathy and Ron Seepish, Edmonton Cheryl and Lome Sharfe, Wpg. Yvonne Huot and Brian Tascona, Ottawa Louis Tolainie, Wpg. Marilyn and John Wade, Wpg. Irene and Harry Walsh, Wpg. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Watt, Wpg. Dr. and Mrs. Bill Wong, Toronto Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wong, Toronto Wendy and Lang Wong, Wpg. Dr. and Mrs. Tim Yeh, Edmonton Ivy and Norval Young, Wpg.  
    Lifetime Collection: University of Regina, Regina (papers, multimedia, works of art, drawings, photos, card collection) Minor Collection: National Archives of Canada, Ottawa (voice)
    1984         CBC Television Documentary,  Seeing It Our Way, Winnipeg 1983         T.V. Ontario, Visions: A Definition of Space - Priairie Visual Artists: Dorothy Knowles, Don Proch, Tony Tascona 1983         Jack Chambers Slide Sets of Canada´s Visual Artists, Winnipeg
    1996         Order of Canada 1994         Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D), University of Winnipeg 1989         Primio D´Eccellenza Award, Italian Canadian League of MB. 1987         Certificate of Appreciation, St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation 1983         Honorary Fellow, St. John´s College, University of Manitoba 1980         Gold Medal, Academia Italia Del Arti e Del Lavoro, Parma, Italy 1977         Canadian Silver Jubilee Medal, Government of Canada 1976         Senior Arts Grant, Manitoba Arts Council 1972         Senior Arts Grant, Canada Council 1970         Arts Medal, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Ottawa 1967-69    Canada Council Project Grant 1996         Order of Canada 1994         Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D), University of Winnipeg 1989         Primio D´Eccellenza Award, Italian Canadian League of MB. 1987         Certificate of Appreciation, St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation 1983         Honorary Fellow, St. John´s College, University of Manitoba 1980         Gold Medal, Academia Italia Del Arti e Del Lavoro, Parma, Italy 1977         Canadian Silver Jubilee Medal, Government of Canada 1976         Senior Arts Grant, Manitoba Arts Council 1972         Senior Arts Grant, Canada Council 1970         Arts Medal, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Ottawa 1967-69    Canada Council Project Grant
    1994         fundraising print for Manitoba Hospice Foundation 1993         fundraising print for the Canadian Conference of the Arts 1992         fundraising print for 25th anniversary of University of Winnipeg 1991         hanging stabiles for Physicians and Surgeons College, Winnipeg 1988         mural for lounge of Via Rail Park Car, Via Rail, Montreal (national competition) 1987         fundraising print for St. John´s College Alumni, University of Manitoba 1986         hanging stabiles for St. Boniface Hospital Medical Research Building, Winnipeg. 1986         gift prints for Smith Carter Architects´ 40th anniversary, Winnipeg 1985         print for Hudson Bay Company´s Salute to Italy, Winnipeg. 1985         fundraising print for University of Winnipeg Collegiate Alumni 1984         hanging stabiles for Manitoba Law Courts Building (provincial competition) 1980         fundraising print for O.R.T., Winnipeg 1978         fundraising print for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 1977         sculpture for Winnipeg Centennial Library Garden 1973         mural for Windsor Public Library, Ontario (national competition) 1972         hanging stabiles for Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg. (national competition) 1970         mural for Fletcher Argue Building, University of Manitoba 1969         mural for Y.W.C.A. Building, Winnipeg. 1967         murals for Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg. (national competition) 1952         Old St. Boniface, oil painting commissioned by Kiewels Brewery, (currently housed in St. Boniface Museum)
    Affiliations and Memberships 1995         Winnipeg Art Gallery, Lifetime Membership 1992-95    Member, Canadian Conference of the Arts 1990-92    Canadian Conference of the Arts, Visual Arts Representative for Canada, Board of Directors 1990         Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, Lifetime Membership 1989-90    VIS/ART Copyright Inc., Toronto, Ontario 1988         Art Gallery of Ontario, Lifetime Membership 1986         Steering Committee, Main Access Gallery, Artspace, Wpg. 1985         Winnipeg Art Gallery Search Committee for new director 1980-83    Board of Directors, School of Architecture Endowment Fund, University of Manitoba 1979-81    Royal Canadian Academy of Art, Vice President, Prairie Region 1978-81    Board of Governors, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1972-74    Member, Canadian Conference of the Arts 1975-78    Art Advisory Board, Manitoba Department of Public Works 1968-80    Founding member of Canadian Artists Representation (CAR), national visual arts lobby group founded in Wpg. MB. Jury Duty 1987         Canada Council/Parks Canada Sculpture Competition for the Forks, Winnipeg 1984         Manitoba Arts Council 1983         Canada Council Art Bank (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) 1979-80    Manitoba Arts Council 1978         "Red River Exhibition", Moorhead State University 1975-79    Manitoba Government Services 1% Minister´s Committee Lectures and Workshops 1985         Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina 1984         Capilano College, Vancouver 1979         C.A.R. Manitoba/Manitoba Arts Council, "Working with Resin" 1978         Moorhead State University, University of North Dakota 1977-78    School of Architecture, "Environmental Studies", University of Manitoba
    Affiliations and Memberships 1995         Winnipeg Art Gallery, Lifetime Membership 1992-95    Member, Canadian Conference of the Arts 1990-92    Canadian Conference of the Arts, Visual Arts Representative for Canada, Board of Directors 1990         Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, Lifetime Membership 1989-90    VIS/ART Copyright Inc., Toronto, Ontario 1988         Art Gallery of Ontario, Lifetime Membership 1986         Steering Committee, Main Access Gallery, Artspace, Wpg. 1985         Winnipeg Art Gallery Search Committee for new director 1980-83    Board of Directors, School of Architecture Endowment Fund, University of Manitoba 1979-81    Royal Canadian Academy of Art, Vice President, Prairie Region 1978-81    Board of Governors, Winnipeg Art Gallery 1972-74    Member, Canadian Conference of the Arts 1975-78    Art Advisory Board, Manitoba Department of Public Works 1968-80    Founding member of Canadian Artists Representation (CAR), national visual arts lobby group founded in Wpg. MB. Jury Duty 1987         Canada Council/Parks Canada Sculpture Competition for the Forks, Winnipeg 1984         Manitoba Arts Council 1983         Canada Council Art Bank (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) 1979-80    Manitoba Arts Council 1978         "Red River Exhibition", Moorhead State University 1975-79    Manitoba Government Services 1% Minister´s Committee Lectures and Workshops 1985         Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina 1984         Capilano College, Vancouver 1979         C.A.R. Manitoba/Manitoba Arts Council, "Working with Resin" 1978         Moorhead State University, University of North Dakota 1977-78    School of Architecture, "Environmental Studies", University of Manitoba
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  • Images - Early Career
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