The title of the exhibition was “Transitions” which seemed appropriate in a gallery with the name, Viva Vida, which can be translated as “celebrate or live life.” What better way of describing life than a continuous series of transitions!
The vernissage was held on Friday October 18th with the President of the Baltic Artists Association, Ann Kallaste-Kruzelecky welcoming the full house of guests to the exhibition. The event was attended by special guests, the Estonian Honorary Consul in Montreal, Maurice Forget, who it should be noted is a prominent patron of the arts, the Latvian Honorary Consul, Robert Klaise, the Lithuanian Honorary Consul, Arunas Staskevicius, and the President of the Baltic Federation of Canada and of the Latvian National Federation in Canada, Andris Kesteris, who was present from Ottawa for the occasion.
The works of art were vast and varied, offering visitors an impressive display of talent from the three Baltic communities in Montreal and surrounding regions. Artists of Estonian origin once again demonstrated that the size of an ethno-cultural group in no way limits the creative talents of its individuals. On display from the Estonian community were works by Linda Ole-Aubut from Trois-Rivières, Elvi Kannelmäe-Edwards from Ottawa-Gatineau, Malle Jürima-Roomet, Ann Kallaste-Kruzelecky, Mary Mannapso, Karl Raudsepp who is also known to all as President of the Montreal Estonian Society, Hille Viires and Valli Viliusis. Visitors at the opening, as well as during the rest of the exhibition, were enthusiastic in looking forward to the next show of the Baltic Artists Association.
The organizers wish to acknowledge the support provided to the exhibition by the Canadian Latvian National Association, the Montreal Latvian Center, the Lithuanian Credit Union and an anonymous Estonian donor.
Tõnu Onu