AYR, Ontario — In 2011 when AyrSpace held Canada’s only one hundred-woman art show for the
100th anniversary of International Women’s Day https://www.thesilo.ca/international-women-join-forces-through-art/ , the men took note. The idea of the painting exhibition “Men in Business 2012” was born.

“The idea came to me to encourage the hidden talents among us,” said John Redfern, a Customs
Brokerage executive at The Farrow Group just north of Ayr. Redfern helped realize last year’s effort.
“Jill said to me in an email -15 men would be a perfect number for an exhibition,” referring to Jill Yuzwa, Gallerist at AyrSpace, gallery of visual and functional art. And in similar style to the year prior, a call for collaborators went out through social networks. Men from all economic sectors were encouraged to respond – whether their works be an extension of their day to day or their alter-artistic ego.

And they did respond: a Vancouver architect, a celebrated Canadian documentary film maker, a custom furniture craftsman, educators and leaders of education, independent businessmen, lawyers and a specialized medical technician. The artworks are as varied as the gentlemen themselves. And coincidentally there are 15 collaborators. North Dumfries Mayor Rob Deutschmann will be on hand to welcome the collaborators and open the event on Friday February 3, 2012. “Men in Business 2012” will run through Sunday February 26, 2012.

The exhibition is dedicated to Ayr resident Stephen Gross who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. Mr. Gross is perhaps best known in the Region of Waterloo for his excellent work at the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre.

The 15 collaborators of Men in Business 2012 invite the community and collectors to this exhibition and have initiated that partial proceeds of their artworks be allocated to NewmanBoysTrustFund.ca in fond memory of Katherine (Bunny) Newman the Gallerist’s cousin.
AyrSpace, gallery of visual and functional art, is located at 44 Stanley Street in downtown Ayr. The gallery opened in October 2008 as a socially innovative collaborative and now represents a range of Canadian artists. www.ayrspace.ca   For the Silo, Jill Yuzwa.

Media contact:
Jill Yuzwa
AyrSpace
519.632.9030
art@ayrspace.ca