ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 1, 2015-MARCH 31, 2016
MISSION
To advance the arts and letters, by and through our members, who practise and
contribute to the arts, in the conviction that the arts are essential to a healthy,
enlightened society.
CONTENTS
Ad Lib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
President’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Film & ‘Documenting The Art of Exploration’ . . . . . . . 11
Governance & Strategic Plan Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Public Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Member Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Evening Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Membership & Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Curatorial Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Painting (Visual Arts) and Photography ‘HotShots’ . . . . 8
Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Directors, Committees & Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
14 Elm Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada MSG 1G7 Tel. (416) 597-0223 | artsandlettersclub.ca
P R E S ID EN T’S REP ORT
From the start of my term I have been clear that I would focus my efforts on the
Club’s Strategic Plan. It is a good plan, carefully thought out and constructed
by a team led by Marianne Fedunkiw, my predecessor.
In my experience, the greatest downfall of strategic plans is that they are not followed through. Boards seem to think
that creating the plan is the end of the process, when in fact it is the beginning.
At my first Board meeting as President, I asked each Board member to assume responsibility for some aspect of
the three strategic priorities, and I have shared with you my gratitude at the eagerness with which they agreed to
participate. In this Annual Report, you will find reports from Directors, but here I would like to review some of the
things that have happened this year within these priorities.
1. Increase the Club’s influence and impact on the arts
We have established partnerships between the Club and The Arts & Letters Club of Toronto Foundation and the
Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story. In addition, we have entered into an
agreement with the Ontario Society of Artists for them to use our clubhouse for all their meetings. We have introduced
five other new arts organizations to the Club by hosting their meetings, and held the NEXT! exhibition to showcase
some of the best visual artists across the province. NEXT! will be repeated in fall of 2017. The Breakfast Series continues
to sponsor discussions for members and guests in the area of public policy and the arts.
2. Make the Club the preferred destination for its members
Penelope Cookson is conducting a review with the LAMPS committees to explore good or better ways of programming
to engage our members. Judith Davidson-Palmer has a committee working on some new hospitality initiatives. This
group is also working to examine new menu selections and catering options. Margaret Kerr and Anne Evans of the
Membership Committee have developed fun social events for members, organized not around programs but around
informal interaction, first Mardi Gras and a summer party. And Carol Anderson continues to work on the website to
make it more accessible.
3. Be strong and financially viable
Judith Davidson-Palmer also has an ad hoc committee looking into our fee structure so as to more fairly distribute
the financial burden. John Ryerson is working aggressively on finding Foundation and Government sources of funding
for our capital projects. At the Annual Meeting we will hear a report on the findings of our Capital Expenditures
Committee. Club General Manager Fiona McKeown and Carol and Ken Anderson are working to expand our current
management software to enable members to search the calendar, reserve events on-line, and access member directory
information. We are also working to establish a Planned Giving program for members who wish to remember the Club in
their Wills. Finally, the Membership Committee and the Membership Retention Committee are working hard to increase
our membership numbers. And there is still more to go. Challenges lie ahead for the Club and
we are preparing to meet them.
It has given me a great deal of pleasure this year to work for and with you all. We, all of us,
have been given an amazing privilege to carry on the traditions of The Arts & Letters Club of
Toronto. It is an honour for me to be your President and I sincerely hope you are satisfied with
what I am doing on your behalf. Together we will overcome the challenges and will continue to
enjoy each other’s company, conversation and talents.
John H. Goddard, President
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G OVERN AN CE
The Board met six times and participated in one conference call during the fiscal
year. There were 10 Directors and five Officers (the full slate is listed on the inside
back cover). All Directors are members of the Club and collectively possess the
knowledge, skills and experience for appropriate Board governance. Minutes of the
Board meetings are posted at the Club.
Artistic programming is carried out by five LAMPS committees: Literature,
Architecture, Music, Painting and Visual Arts, and Stage. The LAMPSletter which is
issued both electronically and in print form 11 times each year and the Club website
(www.artsandlettersclub.ca) are the primary communication tools with members.
BOARD ACTIVITIES
Among the activities achieved by the Board this year were:
• discussing and approving Finance Committee reports and the Treasurer’s recommendations;
• receiving and discussing Club Committees reports, and approving significant events;
• approving capital expenditure budgets, including the maintenance of our heritage building;
• receiving and approving operating budgets;
• receiving the Auditor’s Report and approving the Annual Financial Statements;
• scheduling and holding a Special General Meeting on October 14 to approve a borrowing by-law;
• continuing to operationalize the Club’s Strategic Plan by making each Director responsible for particular aspects
related to each of the three key priorities:
1. INCREASE THE CLUB’S INFLUENCE AND IMPACT ON THE ARTS
• Art Service Organization Relations – Wendy Boyd
• Art School Relations – Peter Russell
• Club Branding – Alan Somerset
• Liaison with The Arts & Letters Club of Toronto Foundation – Jess Hungate
• Social Media – Irene Katzela
• The Breakfast Series – David Phillips
2. MAKE THE CLUB THE PREFERRED DESTINATION FOR ITS MEMBERS
• Activities – Penelope Cookson
• Hospitality and Events – Judith Davidson-Palmer
• New Member Orientation – Margaret Kerr
• Property – Ian McGillivray
• Website Development – Carol Anderson
3. BE STRONG AND FINANCIALLY VIABLE
• Fundraising – John Ryerson
• JONAS Software – Carol Anderson/Kenneth Anderson
• Membership Recruitment – Susan Goddard
• Financial Performance – Bill Buchanan
• The Great Hall – John Snell
Art Service Organization Relations are being identified and approached. Among those with whom the Club has been
in contact are: Playwrights Guild of Canada, Pluralism in the Arts Movement (CPAMA); St. Anne’s Music and Drama
Society; The Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s Concert Group; The Mozart Project; The Ontario Association of Art Galleries;
The Ontario Society of Artists; and Viva! Youth Singers of Toronto.
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Liaison with The Arts & Letters Club of Toronto Foundation links the Club to the Foundation whose purpose is to
advance education by providing scholarships and bursaries to Canadian youth pursuing a post-secondary education and
to provide awards for demonstrated excellence in the arts to those under 30 years of age from the Greater Toronto Area.
To help identify ideas that would further the complementary objectives of these two separate organizations, we have
developed partnerships with institutions such as The Royal Conservatory of Music, Alice Munro Festival of the Short
Story and Playwrights Guild of Canada. We are also meeting with younger artists at the Club for new ideas and speaking
with non-Club members to broaden the scope of outreach.
The Breakfast Series seeks to accomplish increasing the Club’s influence and impact on the arts by addressing topics
that sit at the intersection of the arts and public policy in Canada. Speakers included:
• Ian Morrison, Spokesperson, FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting, on “What’s Next for Public Broadcasting in Canada”;
• Roanie Levy, Executive Director, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, on “Protecting Creativity: Guarding the
Rights of Writers and Artists”.
The Great Hall Committee, formed in January 2014, continues to investigate ways
to improve the usefulness and quality of our historic Hall. Highlights included:
• improving control of the environment related to comfort (hot/cold) and acoustics
including noise from mechanical systems;
• engaging an electrical/mechanical engineering firm to prepare a master plan and
asking a contractor to comment on pragmatic and cost aspects including ways in
which a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning design would impact the
stage by removing equipment behind the proscenium which would allow for more
flexible use of the space;
• reviewing blackout blinds and an electronic induction hearing loop;
• continuing discussions regarding use of the stage, acoustical design and lighting.
Hospitality and Events Committee began by working with staff to identify
initiatives and to collect information from groups and individual members about
ways to enhance services. Some new initiatives included:
• revitalizing the Lounge as a gathering place for multiple groups;
• publicizing menus for specific arts events;
• promoting new ways to bring members together for informal arts discussion.
New Member Orientation is a key element of member retention.
Initiatives include:
• continuing with “Meet and Greet” opportunities before evening programs and a
Club Table at events where new members can meet other new members as well as
established members;
• including events with minimal programming to facilitate informal arts discussion;
• encouraging programming that includes material of general interest.
JONAS Software includes features that would allow members to book events online,
would provide online access to member information, and would provide the ability
to include better searches and more information, while maintaining full and robust
security for use with both computers and mobiles. Future improvements include:
• better marketing of Club events to members;
• maintaining our current website with a member login that gives access to the
additional JONAS Online features and services;
• allowing members to reserve for Club events online by Fall 2016.
Member Donors
April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016
(Heritage Toronto Funds,
In-Kind, and Estate)
Peter W. Alberti
Kenneth & Carol Anderson
Tony Batten
Jim Birnie
Lucy Brennan
Ann Crichton-Harris
& John W. Senders
Patricia Cleary
The Dalglish Family Foundation
George Fierheller
John Frei
George Garlock
Peter Garstang
John & Susan Goddard
Mary Glendinning & Ian McGillivray
James Hewson
Patterson & Patricia Hume
Foundation
Diane M. Kruger
John Stanley
& Helmut Reichenbacher
John Lawson
Mary & Kenneth Lund
James MacDougall
Richard Moorhouse
& Jean Simonton
Katherine Morrison
John M.L. Rammell
Ryan A. Sobkovich
Callie Stacey
Estate of Les Tibbles
Sheila Craig Waengler
MEM BERSHIP
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During the 2015/16 fiscal year, the Club welcomed 66 new members, had 57
resignations and eight deaths of members. We, therefore, ended our fiscal year at
the end of March with 572 members.
The Constitution requires that at least half of the members be professionals in the LAMPS disciplines, and our
professional count was 50% as of March 31. Although we continue to attract younger members, the Club’s overall
demographic represents those who are retired and have generous amounts of time to enjoy what is on offer.
In looking for innovative ways to increase our membership, this past year we initiated Club ‘business cards’ which can
be easily carried and given out by members to interested people they meet. The initiation fee was not re-instituted,
and a Board committee was formed and is looking into our fee structure. Club members understand that recruitment
is everyone’s responsibility and 58 members sponsored new members this year, 13 on multiple occasions.
On-line posting of applications on the Club’s website now makes it much more convenient for all members to see
who is applying and who they might be interested in meeting. The Membership Committee welcomes comments and
ideas about any aspect of membership. In response to the Club’s Strategic Priority 2 – ‘Making the Club the preferred
destination for its members’ – we continue our New Members Program which ensures that newer members feel
welcome, get involved and remain with the Club; our designated “meet and greet” and “Club Table” events are much
appreciated. We also passed along requests for more opportunities to relax at the Club after work and our proposed
coffee bar on the second floor is in response to requests from members who want to be able to enjoy specialty coffees
during the day or evening.
CAT E RI NG
The Club provides a variety of in-house catering services to members and their guests and to rental clients, under the
direction of General Manager Fiona McKeown, Chef de Cuisine Kenneth Peace, and Catering Manager Joseph Sweeney.
The contribution from these catering services is an essential source of revenue to the Club’s operating budget.
Catering is provided by a group of dedicated culinary and service staff, and along with our administration staff, many
of whom have been employed at the Club for some time. There were 439 Club and rental events and more than 13,000
meals enjoyed by members, guests and rental clients.
LITERATURE
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E.J. Pratt Honourary Member for Literature
2015: Don McKay | 2016: Michael Ondaatje
The Literary Committee organized 45 events this year, including Literary Table talks
on successive Tuesdays centring on literary activities, and a number of Club Nights
designed to reach a wider audience. This year we welcomed 26 invited speakers, and
enjoyed hearing talks from 19 Club members. They were well attended, informative,
and enjoyable.
This year’s literary talks covered the usual huge range of topics, with speakers including
bestselling novelists, poets, and writers on the arts, politics and social history. Topics
ranged from Shakespeare to Harry Potter, Marshall McLuhan and Afghanistan, Sharon
Singer’s new opera, Isis and Osiris, the diaries of Robertson Davies, Byron’s daughter Ada
Lovelace, and the Welsh in Patagonia.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:
• Sharon Johnston, wife of Governor-General David Johnston, speaking about her new
novel, Maintenance and Madams;
• A freewheeling, witty and thought-provoking Club Night with Michael Enright, with some
thoughts on CBC Radio;
• We welcomed Don McKay, our E. J. Pratt Honourary Member for Literature for 2015, for
an hour of poetry reading, birdsong imitations, and Newfoundland lore. As special guests,
the Editorial Board of Brick Books accompanied Don, to celebrate the fortieth anniversary
of that publisher;
• Two talks centred on the Second World War: Peter Russell talked about The First Summit,
his study of the meeting in Newfoundland between Roosevelt and Churchill, and Jack
Granatstein spoke at a January Club Night about his book, Our Greatest Victory;
• Politics – national, provincial, and local – were the theme of several talks, including John
Ibbitson, on his biography, Stephen Harper, Dalton McGuinty on his political memoirs,
and John Sewell looking back in his new book, How We Changed Toronto, 1969-1980;
• To bring us back to earth, and to give us hopes of springtime, Mark Cullen spoke about
his new book, The New Urban Garden, and answered our many questions about the art of
growing plants.
Literary Committee
Alan Somerset, Chair
Kenneth Anderson
Lucy Brennan
Mary Frances Coady
Robert (Bob) Douglas
Richard Gwyn
Peter Harris
Kirk Howard
Peter Levitt
Elizabeth Lockett
(Honourary Member)
Carole Moore
Rose Norman
Norma Rowen
Peter Russell
Rothery Melvin Publishers Inc.
Illustrated by Kate O’Keefe | Text by David Skene-Melvin
ARCHITECTURE
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Eric Arthur Honourary Member for Architecture – Jason Dobbin
Club Members from the architecture and design communities were active in
advising and supporting the repairs and improvements to the physical premises
again in the past year.
PROGRAMMING INCLUDED:
• Christopher Armstrong’s overview of the new City Hall on the fiftieth anniversary of its opening in 1965. Some
current members of the Club were involved with the competition that led to the design and it was distinguished
Club member, Eric Arthur, who spearheaded the campaign to obtain the iconic design which we celebrated;
• A collaboration with Film Night convener Peter Harris to present the film Finn with an Oyster: The Story Behind
Toronto’s New City Hall by documentary filmmaker Michael Kainer with the assistance of former City archivist and
Club member Karen Teeple;
• The LAMPSweek Architecture Luncheon featured landscape architect Robert Allsopp who spoke on “The Victims of
Communism Memorial and the National Capital Plan”;
• In March, Marianne McKenna, of KPMB Architects, the designer of Koerner Hall, the much-applauded concert hall
associated with the Royal Conservatory TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning;
• A visit to St. Anne’s Church (below) in April to view the progress in the restoration of the church fabric, in particular
the numerous decorative art pieces by three members of the Group of Seven, Franklin Carmichael, J.E.H. MacDonald
and Frederick Varley, and their friends. Since Club members were instrumental in starting the fundraising drive to
preserve this art, the invitation of Club member and pastor, Gary van der Meer and the discussion led by the host
Roy Schatz were much appreciated;
• For Doors Open 2015, a review of the evolution of the Club’s own architecture over the years, prepared by
Ian McGillivray.
Architecture
Committee
George Hume, Chair
Tamara Anson-Cartwright
John Blumenson
James Hewson
Lorna Kelly
Margaret McBurney
Mark McBurney
Ian McGillivray
Mark Osbaldeston
John Snell
M USIC
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Sir Ernest MacMillan Honourary Member for Music – David Jaeger (below right)
The Music Committee sponsored a total of 37 Wednesday noon concerts, 10 Club
Nights, and two special Members’ Dinners, with music from the seventeenth
century to the present day. The repertory ranged from Classical favourites, to
jazz, to the latest contemporary compositions. We heard string quartets and flute
quartets, sopranos and tenors, pianists, guitarists, and violinists, and several
different choruses, as well as the fifth instalment of “Tenorissimi,” up-and-coming
tenors from the University of Toronto (U of T) Vocal Department. Performances
were all of the highest quality as seasoned professionals such as Robert Aitken,
Meredith Hall, and Richard Herriott shared the limelight with performers starting
off their careers as well as several who were barely into their teens. We are grateful
to all the artists for their generosity in performing for the Club.
Club members who were performers this season included: William Aide, Penelope Cookson, Jean Edwards, Jonathan
Krehm (left), Rachel Krehm, Patricia Parr, William Westcott, and composers John Beckwith and Walter Buczynski.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:
• an evening of entertainment by Klez Konnection, a Klezmer ensemble led by Jonno Lightstone, that got a number of
the audience members dancing;
• a celebration of the retirement of Ann Cooper Gay as director of the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus (CCOC) that
included a large chorus of CCOC alumni performing excerpts specially composed for that group;
• an illustrated talk by John Beckwith about the genesis of his “Music for Huronia”;
• a performance of “The Art of the Prima Donna” by students from the U of T
Opera Department;
• excerpts from Henry Purcell’s “The Fairy Queen” by the Toronto Masque Theatre;
Music Committee
• new and rarely heard chamber music performed by gamUT, the U of T contemporary
music ensemble;
Timothy McGee, Chair
• an evening with Bill Westcott and Friends, who – as always – filled our Great Hall
William Aide
to capacity.
John Beckwith
Penelope Cookson
James Dooley
Barbara Wright George
Elizabeth Kilbourn-Mackie
Jonathan Krehm
Rachel Krehm
Denis Kulesha
John Lawson
Mary Lund
Jane McWhinney
Marietta Orlov
Patricia Parr
Judy Simmonds
John Snell
John Stanley
Barbara Wright
PAI N TIN G (VISUAL ARTS)
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J.E.H. MacDonald Honourary Member for Painting – Irma Coucill
The Art Committee is responsible for booking all exhibitions to fit into a yearlong schedule of monthly shows. Only work by Club members is eligible for the
regular art exhibitions: this is a privilege of membership. Our goals are:
• to exhibit a variety of members’ high-quality work that will interest the
general membership, guests and rental clients
• to provide opportunities for the Club artists to show their work.
We also sponsor speakers and special events related to the visual arts.
EXHIBITIONS
This year we had six group shows and five solo shows:
• April – Spring Group Show
• May – Photography Group Show
• June – Ron Bolt solo show, “Retrospective: Five Decades”
• July/August – Summer Group Show
• September – Wendy Boyd solo show, “Sparkles and Dust”
• October – Fall Group Show
• November – NEXT! Competition
• January, two concurrent shows:
Margie Hunter Hoffman solo show, “Ode to Ildy” and
“Breaking the Ice” group show, including three works from
the Club’s Permanent Collection
• February – Winter Group Show, with an archival feature,
two paintings from a Club show held in 1925, borrowed from
their owners
• March, two concurrent shows: Rosemary Aubert solo show, “City
Love” and James MacDougall solo show, “A Brush with Others”
Guest Speakers
David Silcox, Behind the Podium at Sotheby’s
Harry Enchin, Toronto Moments in Time
Ron Bolt, Constructing Wonder
Doug Purdon, film, The Illuminator
Wendy Boyd, Sparkles and Dust
George A. Walker, Alcuin Society Awards
Margie Hunter Hoffman, Ode to Ildy
Alan King, Laughing Till It Hurts
Doreen Balabanoff, Light, Colour and Environment:
Embodied Perception (LAMPS Week Speaker)
Rosemary Aubert, A Lover Among the Masters
IN ADDITION TO SHOWS INITIATED BY THE ART COMMITTEE:
• May – ‘Dish It Up’, a fundraising silent auction co-ordinated by
Hilary Alexander with members creating art on decommissioned
Club dinner plates;
• November – NEXT! Ontario-wide open-juried drawing and painting competition, co-ordinated by Zora Buchanan and
her committee.
Arts Committee
Marvyne Jenoff,
Administration Chair
Alan King, Exhibitions Chair
Peter Alberti
Diane Boyer
Connie Carter
Judith Davidson-Palmer,
Board Liaison
Dawn Dougall
Melanie Duras
Ray Ferris
John Inglis, Past Acting Chair
Judy Raymer Ivkoff
Dollina MacMillan Birch
Emily Mandy
Bonnie McGee
Barbara Mitchell, Club Curator
Corin Pinto
Barbara Rose
OTHER ACTIVITIES
• r egular Painters’ Studio sessions led by Ingrid Whitaker (Wednesdays), Wendy
Boyd (Fridays) and Lynn Bertrand (Sundays);
•P
lein Air gatherings hosted by Ron Bolt in Cobourg, and Joan Dubros in Toronto;
•A
rt Discussion Group, led monthly by Farhad Nargol-O’Neill;
•T
he Executive List for 2014-2015, unveiled at the Annual Meeting in June, created
by John Inglis.
INNOVATIONS
• Visual Arts e-list: monthly omnibus messages to any interested members;
•S
unday Public Openings held at the beginning of each new exhibition;
• larger red dots to be put on art that has been sold.
PHOTOGRAPHY – ‘HOTSHOTS’
The Photography Group, better known as ‘HotShots’ met nine times during the year.
We covered various topics at our meetings held the first Wednesday of the month.
On one occasion, we took to the streets and shot reflections on and off the buildings
in the Club’s neighbourhood, then met back at the Club and critiqued each other’s
work. But most often, we pick a photographic challenge for the next meeting, for
example the idea of ‘Work’, then present up to three images for discussion. The
group is becoming more vibrant and active. We have an annual juried show and this
year a record number of photos were submitted for the May exhibition to produce
the best show on record. The group also participated in many of the group art shows
during the year.
STAGE
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John Coulter Honourary Member for Stage – Rosemary Dunsmore
Robert Beardsley Award for Young Playwrights
The Stage Committee hosted the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s (PGC) Tom Hendry
Awards on October 25, and simultaneously handed out the Robert Beardsley
Award for Young Playwrights, administered by The Arts & Letters Club of Toronto
Foundation. Excerpts from the two award-winning plays, Everything I Never Told You
by Remi Long (second from left) and Definition by Luke Reece (third from left), were
given staged readings at the Club in February.
PERFORMANCES
The year included a number of productions and
collaborations:
• The annual Spring Revue, Vamp Till Ready!, under the
artistic direction of Ashley Williamson. Skits for the
2015 revue, written and performed by Club members,
revolved around the theme of moving, with Club
members having to seek alternative quarters during
renovations;
• The Stage Committee joined the Literary Committee
and Ad Lib in hosting the English-Speaking
Union’s twenty-third annual student competition,
Shakespeare on the Platform;
• Warren Clements and Julian Mulock collaborated
on an evening of songs and stories about animals
inspired by Aesop’s fables and the mean streets of Victorian London with projected images of Julian’s drawings;
• A hearty December tradition continued with the annual evening of seasonal readings, Merry Christmas, Nearly
Everybody!
• Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli’s musical 33 1/3, which won the PGC Musical Theatre Award, received a tuneful staged
reading in January;
• For LAMPSweek, seven Club members picked favourite scenes from movies based on stage plays. The members then
introduced clips of those scenes, which were screened for an appreciative audience.
THEATRE OUTINGS
• Marianne Heller organized coach excursions to see The Divine: A Play for Sarah Bernhardt
at the Shaw Festival and The Taming of the Shrew at the Stratford Festival;
• A shorter excursion led members to Ryerson University, where Ryerson Theatre’s thirdyear acting-class students performed a concert version of the musical Urinetown.
Stage Committee
Ashley Williamson, Chair
Maya Bielinski
Jane Carnwath
Scott Christian
Warren Clements
John Goddard
Thomas Gough
Michael Spence
AD L IB
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Ad Lib, the Club’s multidisciplinary Friday night creative journey, presented a total
of 41 Friday night events over the course of the year.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:
• Rachel Persaud hosted an evening of classical South Indian music with singer Nanditha Srinivasan;
• playreadings of Betty Trott’s The Gorge and Tennessee Williams’ I Rise in Flame, Cried the Phoenix;
• The Canadian Songbook, featuring rarely performed works from Canadian musicals, with Gerald Isaac and his Gen Y
Singers;
• The Art of Protest, featuring original photos by Laura Jones and her late partner John Phillips, shot during the
American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s;
• an evening of avant garde accordion music with Branko Dzinovic;
• Blue Art Night with artists Rebecca Collins, Dollina MacMillan Birch and Rob Prince, with live blues music by the
group Blues & Troubles;
• marking the 150th anniversary of his birth, a night of poetry by W.B. Yeats, hosted by Lucy Brennan and directed by
Betty Trott;
• celebrating the 10th anniversary of JOTO, Toronto’s friendliest open improv comedy jam, hosted by Damon Lum
and Steve Johnston (below);
• Leon Warmski presented The Spanish Earth, a rare documentary film on the Spanish civil war, written and narrated
by Ernest Hemingway;
• our annual chocolate tasting, with expert Kyle Smith and our very own Chocolateer Singers, with pianist Alan King.
Ad Lib Committee
Rob Prince, Chair
(April-August)
Rebecca Collins, Chair
(September-March)
Steve Johnston
Irene Katzela
Damon Lum
Carole Miles
John Rammell
Betty Trott
Elaine Wyatt
F IL M
Screening movies from around the world, Film Nights were held once a month,
on Wednesdays from September to November and from January to May and every
Monday during July. This year, 199 members attended the monthly Film Nights,
coordinated by Peter Harris, and 154 attended the Summer Film Nights.
That Hamilton Woman (UK, 1941)
Films were also featured in collaboration with other events. In June, The Illuminator was introduced by Doug Purdon
and shown during Club Night as part of the opening of the Art Committee’s Summer Group Show. Ad Lib featured
screenings of Mon Oncle Antoine (Canada, 1971), hosted by Betty Trott and Pulp Fiction (US, 1994), hosted by Rebecca
Collins, and the Architecture Committee co-hosted a presentation and discussion of Finn with an Oyster: The Story
Behind Toronto’s New City Hall (Canada, 2015) by documentary filmmaker Michael Kainer.
Divorce Italian Style (Italy, 1961)
Film Night
Hosts
Carol Anderson
Warren Clements
Bob Douglas
Peter Harris
Norma Rowen
Peter Russell
Sue Russell
Leon Warmski
Jennifer Young
Wadjda (Saudi Arabia, 2012)
Love’s Labour’s Lost (UK, 2000)
Cinema Paradiso (Italy, 1990)
The Green Man (UK, 1956)
Hot Millions (UK, 1968)
After the Wedding (Denmark, 2007)
And Then There Were None (UK, 1945)
No (Chile, 2012)
Forever (France, 2006)
Cold Comfort Farm (UK, 2002)
Genevieve (UK, 1953)
DOCUMENTING THE ART OF EXPLORATION
The Eighth Annual Film Festival, organized by Elaine Wyatt and
co-hosted by the Club and The Explorers Club of Canada, was held
March 18 and 19. The Festival began on Friday evening with a
presentation by Angry Planet host George Kourounis and producer
Peter Rowe on the adventures they had filming the biggest
brush fire in recent Australian history and Russia’s Pole of Cold,
followed by a full day of films and finally a gala dinner and keynote
presentation by filmmaker Stavros Stavrides.
11
12
P UBL IC EVEN TS
In addition to Sunday public art openings held throughout the year, the Club
participated in a number of special events to which the public were invited.
DOORS OPEN TORONTO 2015
More than 900 visitors toured the Club during the 16th annual Doors Open Toronto event on May 30.
NEXT! PUBLIC ART DEMONSTRATIONS, STUDIO PAINTING, CLUB TOURS & DISCUSSIONS
A province-wide drawing and art competition, organized by Zora Buchanan and her committee, was hosted by
the Club in October. In addition to public openings on the weekends, visual artists Andrew Benyei, Pat Fairhead,
Alan King (below right), Tina Newlove, Doug Purdon (below left), and Andrew Sookrah, also gave public art
demonstrations at the Club; the Studio was open to the public for model painting, coordinated by Wendy Boyd, for
three Monday sessions in October and November; artist Farhad Nargol-O’Neill led a viewing and discussion of the
exhibition; and tours of the Club were coordinated by Sue Russell and other member volunteers.
“ICE, WINE & DINE”
Once again, the Club joined our neighbours for the annual Downtown Yonge BIA event, “Ice, Wine & Dine” on
November 21. This is an opportunity for businesses on Elm Street to open their doors to the public for six hours from
4 pm to 10 pm. More than 500 people walked through the doors of 14 Elm Street and were treated to entertainment
by Club members Warren Clements and Julian Mulock, took in the artwork on the walls for the Small Works Show and
Sale, and enjoyed hot chocolate.
“THE BIG CLASSY” SMALL WORKS SHOW AND SALE
Our 10th Annual Small Works Show and Sale hosted by Judy Raymer Ivkoff kicked off a few weeks earlier this year
on November 22 and sales exceeded $4,000. More than 100 people attended the Sunday event held in
The Great Hall and more than 130 works, both books and art by members, were sold.
E V E N I NG PROGRAM M IN G
Members took part in more than 400 events during the past year, including
performances, speakers, workshops, committee meetings, and excursions.
CLUB NIGHTS
LAMPS Committees again organized and hosted 36 splendid Club Nights, held every Monday from September
until the end of June. Performers and speakers ranged from the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre to Shauna
Rolston’s cello orchestra, from readings of plays by winners of the Robert Beardsley Award for Young Playwrights
or a discussion on “City Hall and the Arts” with City Councillor John Fillion to Club visual artists’ opening the
latest exhibition.
We experimented with shifting Club Night to another evening for one event in September. Singer, conductor, and
teacher Ann Cooper Gay, was fêted during a special Friday evening Club Night on the occasion of her retirement from
her position as Artistic Director of the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. Twenty-eight singers from the Youth
Chorus performed in the Great Hall and Michael Albano, Kristina Bjelic, Errol Gay, and Ken Hall spoke.
For more Club Night highlights, see the LAMPS Committee Reports.
MEMBERS’ DINNERS
This year, the Club held four Members’ Dinners, again coordinated by Kathleen Metcalfe. In April, Brigitte Shim,
Partner, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects Inc., spoke about Toronto’s Integral House, named by The New York Times as one
of the “houses of the century.” Lindsay Fischer, Artistic Director, YOU dance at the National Ballet School spoke at
the Club in May. In October, Club member and composer John Beckwith gave a detailed account of his new opera,
Huronia, with visuals and sound recordings. In March, Douglas McNabney, Violist and Artistic Director, Toronto
Summer Music, spoke about the festival’s upcoming season.
BREAKFAST SERIES
David Phillips took over organization of the Club’s Breakfast Series this year. For more on this initiative, see the
Strategic Plan Update on page 3.
NEW ACTIVITIES
Opportunities for informal discussion were expanded. Ann Evans and Margaret Kerr hosted a Mardi Gras party in
February, the first in a series of events to be held on special calendar dates throughout the year, in addition to the
Easter Buffet Lunch. Pub Night, which had been held on the last Tuesday of every month (‘Super Tuesday’) has been
wound down in favour of a new venture which occurs on Wednesday afternoons to take advantage of the fact that
several regular Club events also take place on Wednesdays.
SUPER TUESDAYS
In addition to the regular Literary Table, once a month members could also take join the Art Discussion Group led by
various professional artists, the Calliope Poetry Group organized by Rosemary Aubert and Diane Boyer, and the Music
Salon coordinated by Jonathan Krehm, before meeting up informally with other members for Pub Night.
ART OF CONVERSATION
Carol Vine continued to host this monthly event on Wednesday afternoons, after Music Wednesday performances and
before Film Night screenings. Topics included ‘War and Peace’, Homer’s Odyssey, and ‘Different Ways of Thinking/
Thinking in Different Ways’.
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14
S PECIAL EVEN TS
“A SAUCY SPRING FLING”
More than 50 members and guests, including 13 Charter Women, (pictured
right) gathered in The Great Hall on May 7 for an afternoon tea celebrating
the thirtieth anniversary of women being admitted to the Club. Invitations,
which included original artwork designed by Charter Woman and artist
Pat Fairhead, were mailed out to all Charter Women. The afternoon
programme, hosted by Club President Marianne Fedunkiw, included “Ode
to the Charter Women” by Warren Clements and read by Thomas Gough and
greetings from David Franco who was Club President from 1986 to 1988
soon after women became Club members.
While those present dined on freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves and a selection of sandwiches
prepared by Chef Peace and his team they were entertained with songs, lyrics rewritten for the occasion by Fedunkiw,
and performed by Thomas Gough and a filmed duet by Julian Mulock and John Rammell, as well as jazz selections
on the piano by Bill Westcott. Fedunkiw gave a presentation on the history of women at the Club since 1985. Guests
were also serenaded by Michael Hartley, with Ruth Morawetz providing piano accompaniment, and archival footage
graciously supplied by Lesley Fairfield, of Jean Edwards and the cast of a skit from the tenth anniversary celebration
singing, “Every Day is Gentlemen’s Day for Us”.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was special guest Russell Lazar recounting his role in women joining the Club.
When artist Anne Lazare-Mirvish was told she could not enter the Club to hear her husband Ed Mirvish give a talk in
the Great Hall, she quickly organized a protest. Lazar was asked to supply three placards and drove Lazare-Mirvish, her
daughter-in-law Audrey, and Nancy Russell, an employee at Honest Ed’s and Mirvish family friend to 14 Elm Street to
picket the event. The three women picket made the Toronto papers and the audience, including Lazare-Mirvish’s son
David Mirvish, heard how this was a turning point that led to the Club admitting women as full members.
Finally, Past President John McKellar was recognized for his role in supporting women members at the Club; another
Past President, Michael Spence, leapt into the breach to help a group of Charter Women with the presentation. The
celebration ended with the announcement of a new scholarship for young artists being established.
SPRING REVUE
Vamp Till Ready, which ran for three nights from April 30 to May 2, was directed by Ashley Williamson and featured
material written by Warren Clements, William Denton, Thomas Gough, Margot Trevelyan, and Morna Wales.
DISH IT UP!
Hilary Alexander coordinated a Club fundraiser where artists would create works of art on decommisioned Club dinner
plates which were then displayed at the Club before being sold in a silent auction on May 26. More than 40 Club artists
took part – some with multiple entries – and $5,150 was raised for the Club.
THE PRESIDENT’S DINNER AND 2015 PRESIDENT’S SERVICE AWARDS
On June 11, following the Annual Meeting, 105 members gathered together in the Great Hall for the annual President’s
Dinner. Club President Marianne Fedunkiw acknowledged Life Members, Charter Women and Past Presidents in
attendance as well as welcoming new members.
One of the highlights of the evening was a special quiz and tribute to Fiona McKeown who celebrated her tenyear anniversary as the Club’s General Manager. Another highlight of the dinner was the presentation of the 2015
President’s Service Awards. Four members were honoured for their volunteer work and commitment to the Club: Angel
Di Zhang; John McKellar; Barbara Mitchell; and David Skene-Melvin who was away and was recognized at a Club Night
in September.
15
Angel Di Zhang
John McKellar
Barbara Mitchell
David Skene-Melvin
This award program was established by then Club President Richard Moorhouse in 2013. To date, 16 members have
been honoured for their volunteer contributions. The award consists of three parts: a distinctive pewter medallion;
a specially designed certificate by Club member Alan Stein; and a permanent listing of this distinction in the
Members’ Directory.
Outgoing Board members were recognized as well as those continuing to serve on the Board and those joining the
Board for 2015/2016. Because Fedunkiw was stepping down as President after one year due to health concerns, the
evening ended with the introduction of her successor, John Goddard and his closing comments.
GARDEN PARTY
Our annual Garden Party was held at the Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC), on Prince Arthur Avenue on
June 18. Judith Davidson-Palmer and Barbara Mitchell led pre-party tours of the building and WAAC’s Art Collection.
This was the first attempt to hold the summer Garden Party at another art facility of interest to Club members.
CLUB EXCURSIONS
Marianne Heller organized trips to the Shaw Festival in July to see The Divine: A Play for Sarah Bernhardt and to
the Stratford Festival in September to see The Taming of the Shrew. Backstage tours and chats with performers were
part of each day’s program for Club members. Carrying on with his idea to connect the Club with other arts groups,
John Ryerson led an excursion in November to Dance Collection Danse (DCD). The Church Street building holds
a collection of York Wilson’s paintings and Curator, Barbara Mitchell went along to speak about York Wilson’s
legacy to DCD.
NEXT!
A province-wide drawing and art competition was hosted by the Club in the
Fall. Zora Buchanan (top photo, right) led a committee of 11 Club members
(pictured below) who designed posters, took in applications, and hanged the
works on the walls before the Gala Award Opening on October 23. Almost
350 entries were submitted from Ontario artists. The total amount of prize
money available was $14,000. The ‘Best in Show’ Gold Award, presented
by The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, OC, OOnt, Lieutenant Governor
of Ontario, went to Janet Hendershot of Toronto (top photo, left);
Nancy De Boni, also of Toronto, received the Silver Award. Additional
awards were presented to the following Ontario artists:
• Award of Excellence in Drawing - Kevin Bae, Toronto
• Cherry Carnon Award I - Peter Adams, Creemore
• Cherry Carnon Award II - Erin Gillis, Vineland
• Cherry Carnon Award III - Kathe Merlovich, Oshawa
• Dr. Bruce Robinson Award of Merit - Jessica Mann, Toronto
• Elisabeth Legge Gallery Award of Merit - Laurie de Camillis, Toronto
• Margaret King Award of Merit - Warren Hayano, Brampton
• Sedelmyer-Katz Award - Michael Zarowsky, Toronto
• Zora Buchanan Award of Merit - Eva Widmaier, Toronto
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THE 105TH BOAR’S HEAD FEAST
There was much “horsing around” at the annual December feast which got off to a rollicking start with its usual
theatrics, organised this year by Dollina MacMillan Birch. One hundred and eighteen members wearing tabards or
costumes filled The Great Hall for this successful event which featured the Club Singers and soloists Connie Briant
and Michael Hartley and which ended with spontaneous carol singing around the piano with Ruth Morawetz at the
keyboard.
HOLIDAY LUNCH
The Great Hall was filled to capacity on December 18 for a luncheon that featured music and carol singing and festive
decorations by 11 members and four staff. Members were aided by guest soprano Karine White and member Penelope
Cookson, with Ruth Morawetz at the piano. Gord Fulton organised an on-the-spot reading by attendees of the classic
1823 holiday poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement
Clarke Moore.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Club President John Goddard and his wife Susan hosted a celebration with music provided by a disc jockey. Fifty-seven
members and guests gathered in the Great Hall to ring in 2016.
BURNS SUPPER
The annual Burns Supper, hosted by Wendy Boyd and held on January 21, featured the return of past Club member,
Malcolm Sinclair as Master of Ceremonies. He was assisted by pianist Eric Robertson, David McKane who gave the
“Immortal Memory” and “Address to the Haggis”, and storyteller Frank Cairns. Doug Purdon delivered the Toast to the
Twa Lands, Alexander Sterling, the Toast to the Lassies, and Rosemary Aubert replied to him. Peter Fleming and Wendy
Boyd carried the haggis while Rob Noble played the pipes.
LAMPSWEEK
Our annual week-long celebration of the arts began with Club
Night, Monday, February 22 and ran through Friday, February 26.
Programming featured:
• Music: Larry Beckwith and The Toronto Masque Theatre,
performed excerpts from their production of Purcell’s The
Fairy Queen;
• Literature: Norma Rowen spoke on “Ada Lovelace: Daughter
of the Devil” – the Devil being Lord Byron, and Ada being the
mathematical genius who helped Charles Babbage set up an
early computer;
• Architecture: Wednesday’s luncheon guest speaker Robert
Allsopp spoke on “The Victims of Communism Memorial and
the National Capital Plan”;
• Film: Cold Comfort Farm (UK, 2002), based on the comic
novel by English author Stella Gibbons, published in 1932, was
screened and introduced by Warren Clements;
• Painting/Visual Arts: Doreen Balabanoff, a glass artist,
designer and Associate Professor in Environmental Design
at OCAD University as well as President, Colour Research
Society spoke on “Light, Colour and Environment:
Embodied Perception”;
• Stage: members presented clips from various films that were
adapted from stage plays.
ARCHIVES
Every week multiple enquiries are received and answered by the archives
volunteers. With collections of material relating to Club members and events
dating back to 1908 the questions come from Club management, Club members
and a broad community of scholars, media and the general public interested in our
extensive contributions to the history of Canadian culture.
Research has been conducted on the life
of early Club librarian Lacey Amy; on the
Club’s 1945 production of Oscar Wilde’s
“A Florentine Tragedy”, for La Société
Oscar Wilde in Paris; and on Percy Schutte
(member 1929 to 1968), an active Club
thespian some of whose appearances are
recorded in our 1930s film footage shot by
Chuck Matthews.
Club archivist Scott James participated
in early planning meetings aimed at
establishing a museum of the city, now
Myseum of Toronto, and was pleased
their CEO Karen Carter has since joined
the Club. James and Victor Russell
collaborated on an article, “Institutional
Memory”, about the photographs of
member Arthur Goss, which appeared in
the book, The Ward: The Life and Loss of Toronto’s First Immigrant Neighbourhood, published in 2015.
Exhibitions in the lower level display cases featured Cleeve Horne, Hector Charlesworth,
J.E.H. MacDonald as a designer and, the pièce de résistance, the Artists Jamboree of 1925.
Two works by members Frank Johnston (right) and L.A.C. Panton created for the jamboree
came to light and both owners kindly agreed to allow the works to be shown for the first
time since 1925. The full program for this ambitious production has survived, clearly
identifying these two paintings.
Acquisitions for the past year include a small 1913 watercolour gem by A.H. Howard
entitled “The Coming Storm”; a large York Wilson painting (above) done in association
with the 1980 Spring Revue, a gift of Harriet Bunting “Sis” Weld; and two editorial
cartoons created for The Ottawa Citizen, a gift of artist and member Alan King.
The work of collecting and organizing, transcribing and digitizing Presidential papers (of
Richard Moorhouse this year), committee minutes, and visual records of events continues
with the invaluable assistance of Archivist Emeritus Raymond Peringer; and finally, the
Club Scrapbook remains in the capable hands of Keron Platt.
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C U R ATORIAL CIRCL E
The Curatorial Circle held seven meetings during the Club’s fiscal year to discuss
acquisitions through donation or purchase, the collecting goals of the Circle,
possible deaccessions and the accessibility of the collection to Club members. The
responsibilities of the Curator were to hold the meetings of the Circle and to attend
to the installation, security, inventory, condition, restoration or repairs of works or
their frames when the need arose.
The frames of a small number of pictures were upgraded this year. Fortunately no other restorations or repairs were
necessary. About eight works received permanent labels.
Two years ago, the Circle circulated a ‘wanted poster’ of 25 past artist members whose art had never been represented
in the Collection. The Circle’s goal was to acquire, over time, as many of these missing works as it was possible to do
so. We are pleased to announce that since then, either through donation or purchase, the Circle has acquired for the
permanent collection a representative work for 14 of these artists. Upon acquisition, each work was announced in the
LAMPSletter and the work displayed for about a month in the front lobby.
The works of art acquired this year for the Permanent Collection were:
• The Footballer c.1970, a bronze sculpture by William McElcheran, donated by Callie Stacey
• Gea Gamboni 2008, an oil on canvas by James MacDougall, donated by the artist
• Sprite of the Outer Islands 1988, an oil on board by James Hall, donated by Allison Skinner
• Georgian Bay Sunrise, a watercolour by Jane Champagne, donation by member John Lawson
• Mulmur Hills, Ontario, a watercolour by Jack Reid, donated by member Tony Batten
• Boardwalk, Sunnyside 1947, a watercolour by Eric Freifeld, purchased at auction (below)
• Portrait of Tom Bjarnason, a watercolour and gouache by Bill Sherman, purchased from the
WAAC collection
• Haliburton Village 1993, a watercolour by Mary Tuck Corelli, purchased at a WAAC
members show
• The Lost Cat c. 1950, an oil on board by William Winter, purchased at auction
• The Palace of Turin 2011, watercolour by member James Hewson, purchased from the artist
• Little Turtle Lake from Moore’s Hills c.1910-12 by J.E.H. MacDonald, donated by
member Jim Birnie
Only one work from the collection was loaned out this
year. The late Kay Murray-Weber’s large silkscreen print,
SPACE STATION, was lent to the Georgina Art Centre and
Gallery in Sutton, Ontario for the month of July 2015. It
was returned and now hangs in the General Manager’s
office. In December 2015, the Curator reported that she
had proposed, to the chair of The Arts & Letters Club of
Toronto Foundation and to the president of the Women’s
Art Association of Canada (WAAC), that she organize a
joint art auction between the two clubs and the Foundation
to benefit the building funds and scholarship funds of both
clubs; the auction would be held in October 2016 on the
premises of the Women’s Art Association in Yorkville. Her
proposal was accepted by the WAAC and the Foundation’s
Board and in principle by the Board of
The Arts & Letters Club.
Curatorial Circle
Members
Barbara Mitchell, Curator
Andrew Benyei
Scott James, ex officio
Kathryn Minard
Julian Mulock
Doug Purdon
John Snell
L IBRARY
The Library added more than 30 books this year, all meeting the collection policy
that states we want all books by or about Club members or the Club. Many Club
members donated copies of new publications, which are most welcome and the real
source of the library’s growth. .
Robert Douglas gave the second in a two-volume set, That Line of Darkness, Volume Two: The Gothic from Lenin to bin
Laden; Elizabeth Kilbourn-Mackie gave the first of her autobiographies, It Came to Me; James Musselwhite donated
novels in the Two Spirits series (Lazarus, Pandora, A Fairy Tale, and Adam & Angela), plus Get Lost: A Black Mountain
Story, and non-fiction works Eek! A Piano! Everything You Wanted to Know About Pianos But Were Afraid to Ask and
“Dear Mr. Musselwhite . . . ”; Colin McNairn contributed In a Manner of Speaking: Phrases, Expressions, and Proverbs
and How We Use and Misuse Them; George Rust-D’Eye gave one volume of local history, Cabbagetown Remembered,
and the latest editions of three of his detailed legal works that will interest anyone who wants to know how
Toronto really works (written with Ophir Bar-Moshe and Andrew James): Ontario Municipal Law: Statute Reference
Guide–2015, Ontario Municipal Law: A User’s Manual–2015 and City of Toronto Act and Related Municipal Legislation:
A User’s Manual–2014; David Skene-Melvin gave a copy of The Stranger and the Bees, a picture book he wrote that
was illustrated by Kate O’Keefe, daughter of member John O’Keefe; and RoseMarie Condon donated a copy of The
Canadian Shield Alphabet, by her and Myrna Guymer.
Other donations: Marni Blouin’s memoir of her work with Jack H. McQuaig, Lunch with the Boss; Alan D. Butcher’s
Unlikely Paradise: The Life of Frances Gage (donated by niece Lynda Allman); Donald Rumball’s The University Club of
Toronto: Its Life, Its Times, 1906–2006 (from the University Club); and J.P.B. Allen’s Landscapes from the Past: Memoirs
of a Young Englishman (from his wife, Marillene Allen).
Sometimes books just appear on the librarian’s desk. This year these were: Eugene Bannerman’s Street Names of
Blyth; Dennis Reid’s Alberta Rhythm: The Later Work of A.Y. Jackson; and Doug Taylor’s Toronto Theatres and the
Golden Age of the Silver Screen. My thanks to whoever left them.
Raymond Peringer also donated several: Elspeth Cameron, Aunt Winnie; Irma Coucill, Canada’s Prime Ministers,
Governors General, and Fathers of Confederation; Marian Fowler, Blenheim: Biography of a Palace; Carole Giangrande,
Midsummer; Robert M. Hamilton, Canadian Quotations and Phrases, Literary and Historical; Harrison John MacLean,
The Fate of the Griffon; and Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko, Munschworks: The First Munsch Collection.
The library is able to purchase some books, which this year were: Warren Clements and Julian Mulock, News of the
Day, Lustily Shouted and Other Stabs at Victorian Verse; Ian Sigvaldason and Scott Steedman, Art for War and Peace:
How a Great Public Art Project Helped Canada Discover Itself; and Richard Landon’s A Long Way from the Armstrong
Beer Parlour: A Life in Rare Books: Essays by Richard Landon.
We also receive a number of magazines: BlackFlash, Border Crossings, Canadian Art, Canadian Notes & Queries, The
Dance Current, Devil’s Artisan, Literary Review of Canada, Opera Canada, Ornamentum, Prefix Photo, and Quill & Quire.
Suggestions for new subscriptions are always welcome. A printed catalogue is available on the desk in the library and
in PDF on the private members’ area of the web site.
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T R E ASURER’S REPORT
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The following discussion and analysis relate to the Audited Financial Statements for
the year ended March 31, 2016, as presented to members at the annual meeting and
summarized below. The Club presents its financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for not-for-profit organizations in Canada.
Significant accounting policies include accruals and the historical cost basis,
revenue recognition, segregated funds, capital assets, major repair and restoration
expenditures, amortization and a capital reserve.
The Club combines its various arts activities in a comprehensive program to address
members’ interests. Revenues and expenses reflect this consolidation of programs,
and no attempt is made to distinguish between revenues and costs for each of
the programs. As a not-for-profit organization, the Club aims to break even and
maintains its fee structure at reasonable levels to meet its break even objective.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
20162016 2015
ACTUALBUDGET ACTUAL
OPERATING REVENUES
Members’ annual fees
Members’ contributions Catering and rentals
Activities and other revenues
$451,300 $460,200 $426,200
36,700 1,900 4,300
705,200 745,700 667,800
40,400 47,200 42,500
Total Revenues
1,233,600 1,255,000 1,140,800
OPERATING EXPENSES
Catering and rentals, direct expenses
614,400 638,000 588,400
42,700 52,800 48,600
Property
200,600 214,800 207,000
Office and general
306,800 307,000 294,100
1,600 –
–
55,700 37,500 Activities, direct expenses
Interest expense
Amortization 45,700 Total Expenses
1,221,800 1,250,100 1,183,800
Operating Revenues More (Less) Than Expenses
$11,800 $4,900 $(43,000)
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OPERATING REVENUE
There were 439 catered and rental activities and events during the year (2015: 465), including 211 art activities for Club
members (2015: 202). Food and beverage prices are revised at least annually. We had 572 members at year end, about the
same number we had a year ago. Members’ fees were increased by 5% at the beginning of the year (2015: 5%) Members’ fees
were 37% of total revenues (2015: 37%). We need to increase membership numbers in order to maintain fees at reasonable
levels. Other revenues include a generous bequest from the estate of a deceased member, donated Club debenturers, and
rent from the long-term lease of office space to a tenant.
Rentals, catered events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38%
Members’ fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37%
Members’ art activities, with catering . . . . . 19%
Other revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6%
OPERATING EXPENSES
Catering expenses are carefully incurred under the watchful eyes of the chef and the general manager. Office and general
expenses, which includes unallocated various expenses for art programs, activities and events, represents 25% of total
expenses (2015: 25%). Property and maintenance cost for the building was 16% of total expenses (2015: 17%). Members are
not paid for work at the Club. We will continue to control costs and pursue prudent financial management. Catering, direct expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50%
Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16%
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
Activities, direct expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4%
CAPITAL AND BUILDING RESTORATION EXPENSES
Significant future capital projects and restoration expenses include the building front façade to be undertaken next year,
and the Great Hall further down the road. These projects are expected to be financed from various financing sources,
including contributions made by members to Heritage Toronto.
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FINANCIAL POSITION
2016
March 31
2015
March 31
ASSETS
Cash
$84,700 $131,700 Receivables, inventories and prepaid expenses
69,000 47,000 Segregated funds investments
89,700 51,100 2,138,600 2,022,700 Capital assets, less amortization
Total Assets
$2,382,000 $2,252,500
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accruals
$130,800 $103,400
Debentures
57,500 11,500
Mortgage
148,800 –
Total Liabilities
337,100 114,900
DEFERRALS
Deposits and deferred members’ annual and initiation fees
178,000 262,300
Restricted use contributions
47,700 45,300
Capital asset contributions, less amortization
392,700 415,300
Total Deferrals 618,400 722,900
ACCUMULATED SURPLUS AND CAPITAL RESERVE
Capital reserve
42,000 5,800
Accumulated surplus
1,384,500 1,408,900
1,426,500 1,414,700
$2,382,000 $2,252,500
Liabilities, Deferrals, Surplus & Reserve ASSETS
Capital assets include the clubhouse land and building at 14 Elm Street,
furniture and equipment, and the art collection. The assets of the segregated
funds (restricted use contributions and capital reserve) are invested in interestbearing accounts with Canadian Chartered Banks. Receivables, inventories and
prepaids arise from the ordinary day-to-day operations of the Club.
Capital assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90%
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4%
Segregated funds investments . . . . . . . . . . . . 3%
Receivables and inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3%
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LIABILITIES
In January 2016, a 15-year mortgage was arranged to finance the repair and
restoration of the shingle roof. Accounts payable and accruals are incurred in the
ordinary day to day operations of the Club. Several members have invested in a
new program of Club debentures, with one to five-year terms, to help with future
capital and bulding restoration expenses.
Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44%
Accounts payable and accruals . . . . . . . . . . . 39%
Debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17%
DEFERRALS
Capital asset contributions by members or third parties are in cash or capital
assets. The Club follows the accounting standard that defers capital asset
contributions and amortizes them over the estimated useful lives to which
they relate. Rental deposits and members annual fees received in advance
are deferred and accounted for as revenue in the next fiscal year. Restricted
use contributions are held in trust to be used only for the purposes intended
by the donors.
apital asset contributions,
C
less amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63%
Deposits and deferred members’ fees . . . . . 29%
Restricted use contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8%
ACCUMULATED SURPLUS AND CAPITAL RESERVE
The accumulated surplus is invested in the net assets of the Club, principally
capital assets. Most of the surplus was realized on the sale of investments
and valuable paintings, when the Club purchased the 14 Elm Street property,
27 years ago. The purpose of the capital reserve is to set aside funds to
assistin the financing of future major building repairs and equipment
replacements. Members contributions, including estate bequests, are added
to this important reserve.
Accumulated surplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97%
Capital reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3%
B OARD OF D IRECTORS
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Directors
John Goddard, President
Wendy Boyd
Ian McGillivray
Judith Davidson-Palmer, Vice President
Penelope Cookson
Peter Russell
Bill Buchanan, Treasurer
Susan Goddard
John Ryerson
David Phillips, Secretary Irene Katzela
John Snell
Jess Hungate, Counsel
Margaret Kerr
Alan Somerset
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance Committee
Audit Committee
Nominating Committee
Bill Buchanan, Chair Bill Buchanan, Acting Chair
David Phillips, Chair
Anna Dowbiggin
Anna Dowbiggin
John Goddard
Mary Glendinning
Mary Glendinning
George Hume
John Goddard
Derek Hayes
John Inglis
Derek Hayes
Don McLeod
Richard Moorhouse
Norma Rowen
John Stanley
Ashley Williamson
Property Committee
Membership Committee
Curatorial Circle
Ian McGillivray, Chair
Susan Goddard, Chair
Barbara Mitchell, Curator
Hilary Alexander
Tamara Anson-Cartwright
Andrew Benyei
Lucille Giles
Scott Christian
Scott James, ex officio
Jim Ireland Ann Evans
Kathryn Minard
Lorna Kelly, ex officio Laura Jones
Julian Mulock
Jonathan Krehm
John Kehoe
Doug Purdon
Bill Whiteacre Margaret Kerr
John Snell
Don McLeod
Julian Mulock
Judy Smith
Membership Fees Task Force
Capital Expenditures
Hospitality Committee
Judith Davidson-Palmer, Chair John Goddard, Chair Judith Davidson-Palmer, Chair
Bill Buchanan
Bill Buchanan Elizabeth Greville
John Kehoe
John Goddard
Hilary Alexander
David Phillips
Ian McGillivray
Lorna Kelly
Lorne Rothman
John Ryerson
Kitty Gibney
Aida Tammer
Archives
Library
Website
Scott James, Archivist
William Denton, Librarian
Carol Anderson
Art Collection
LAMPSletter
Annual Report
Barbara Mitchell, Curator
Carol Anderson, Editor
Marianne Fedunkiw, Editor
Jane McWhinney, Copy Editor
Orangecap, Designer
MANAGEMENT STAFF
Fiona McKeown, General Manager
Kenneth Peace, Chef de Cuisine
Naomi Hunter, Membership Administrator
Chris Gardiner, Houseman
Cornelia Persich, Administrative Assistant
Matthew Percy, Catering Operations Manager
Joseph Sweeney, Catering Manager
CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHS
Judith Davidson-Palmer, Gord Fulton, Jack Gilbert, Barkley Hunt, Liam Jaeger, Marvyne Jenoff,
Ken Judd, Jonathan Krehm, Tim Leyes, Damon Lum, Ian McGillivray, Rob Prince, John Ryerson, Eric Saczuk,
and the Club collection.
ARTWORK
Rosemary Aubert, Andrew Benyei, Ron Bolt, Wendy Boyd, Warren Clements, Eric Freifeld,
Margie Hunter Hoffman, Frank Johnston, James MacDougall, William McElcheran, Julian Mulock, and York Wilson.
A R T S
A N D
L E T T E R S
A N N U A L
C L U B
R E P O R T
artsandlettersclub.ca
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T O R O N T O
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