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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, Michigan
    1950         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
  • Images - Growing Up
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  • Images - Early Career
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  • Print Articles
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