Oral Interview with Jack Rootman for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Carol Herbert via remote Zoom call. Jack describes his early artistic influences attending children’s art classes at the Kost House in Calgary where he grew up. Jack speaks about how he fell in love with sciences in his teens, which lead him to a career in medicine as an ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon. He discusses how his studies by night at Emily Carr aided him in his medical practice by day, but also how attending workshops, and working in his own studio propelled his painting career forward in BC and beyond. Jack talks about the different mediums he works with, including oils and watercolours, and what influences his paintings, like nature and colourscapes. Jack discusses is work in the arts community, including his thematic shows at various galleries and creating a program for having art in hospitals. Jack speaks about advice for other artists and doctors.
Oral Interview with Stacey Lederman for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Perry Seidelman. Stacey talks briefly about her family history and growing up in Tsawwassen. Her post-secondary education led her to working in business and finance, but having children changed her career path after not working for more than a decade. Stacey discusses her introduction to recreational art classes in Vancouver and how attention from peers quickly saw her realize her talent, and also book her first art show. She describes her work as mixed-media, which includes using different mediums such as acrylics, ink, resin, and photography. Stacey talks about how she is drawn to edgy, colourful pieces including graffiti which can be seen in her own art pieces. Stacey talks about the artists who inspire her as the motivations behind her pieces. Stacey discusses the theme of hearts in her work, art crawls, and her favourite pieces of work. She speaks about how visiting Israel inspired her, and how things like real life, emotion and intuition informs her art practice.
Oral Interview with Monica Gewurz for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Carol Herbert. Monica tells the story about how her parents met and how they ended up in Peru, where she was born. She describes how she ended up in Canada through education in the sciences where environmental planning was a large focus of her studies and careers, and how environmentalism informs her art practice. Monica talks about her mission of incorporating visually pleasing images, most often natural landscapes, to advocate for environmental causes. These works often include using upcycled materials and attempts to illicit emotional response from the viewer in hopes of bridging the gap between art and science in her work. Monica discusses her experimental processes of making paintings and mixed-media pieces, and how she revisits old works to upcycle them as her methods change. She also explains her self confidence and adaptability, and how this has led to work with galleries, commissions and charity. She closes with thoughts on the accessibility of art.
Oral History Interview with Janet Esseiva for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Helen Aqua. Janet Esseiva was born in South Africa in 1964. She is an artist currently based out of Bowen Island, B.C. Esseiva describes her younger years in South Africa during the time of Apartheid and her meaningful exposure to the arts. She explains her transition from an Information Technology professional in Cape Town to an immigrant in Canada eventually working as a full time artist. Esseiva is known for painted works that focus on nature, and she explains how these works can evoke strong emotions and meaningful connections between art and artist, as well as artist and viewer.
Oral history interview with Phyllis Serota. Interviewed by Jean Gerber. Phyllis is a painter living and working in Victoria, BC. She graduated with a BFA from the University of Victoria and has shown extensively throughout Western Canada and the United States since 1977.
The fonds consists of photographs, photographic postcards and souvenirs, one photographic negative and one [ferrotype aka tintype], portraying the extended family and friends of Samuel and Dora Mann ; Bella and Max Goldstein ; Mary and Billy Sturman ; Ann and Murray Letcher, son Marshall ; Max and Bella [Dexall] ; Blanche and Jack Spartan ; and Eva Finegood.
