For many decades, Hallmark has featured the artwork of Canadian artists on cards produced for the Canadian market.  From time to time, the company has acquired some of the artworks utilized in their product.  These occasional purchases now form a substantial corporate collection.  This year, Hallmark has generously agreed to loan an exiting selection of their holdings as RiverBrink’s featured exhibit for 2010.

   Paintings by some of  Canada’s most renowned twentieth century artists are included in the exhibition.  Landscapes by artists Franz Johnston (from the Group of Seven), Franklin Arbuckle, Frank Panabaker and William Winter are included along with pieces by contemporary artists such as Deborah Lougheed Sinclair and Sam Paonessa.

We are particularly pleased to be able to feature this extraordinary exhibition during the year which marks the 100^th anniversary since the founding of the Hallmark Company.

 AUGUSTUS JOHN IN THE RIVERBRINK COLLECTION

 Our entire holdings of paintings, drawings and prints by British 20th century artist, Augustus John will be featured in a separate exhibition for the first time.  Considered by many to be one of the most Bohemian artists of his day, John set out to challenge polite society in the first half of the twentieth century.  Primarily a portrait painter, John caught the attention of Mr. Weir because of his extraordinary artistic abilities and the intimacy of his images. 

  

THE TARRAPIN TOWER 

Built in 1829 on the crest of Horseshoe Falls on the American side, Tarrapin Tower was a circular stone tower some 40 feet high which was popular with tourists until it was removed in 1872.  A feature in many early pictures of the Falls, this selection of artworks from the collection explores this now-forgotten feat of daring.

 GROUP OF SEVEN FROM OUR COLLECTION
 

This collection exhibit will include paintings and prints by members of this historically important group of Ontario-based Canadian painters.  We are fortunate to own sketches for several larger canvasses, as well as three sketches by Tom Thomson, the most important artist associated with the Group.

HISTORIC NIAGARA FALLS VIEWS FROM OUR COLLECTION 
 

Collecting views of Niagara Falls and area was an interest of Mr. Weir, our founder.  Thanks to his foresight, we have a many artworks that depict various features of the Falls and the surrounding area.  We continue to add artworks to our collection and several new acquisitions will be on view. 

 

HISTORIC MAPS FROM THE RIVERBRINK COLLECTION 

Mr. Weir collected a small group of old maps of historical interest to our area.  Those included in this exhibit date from the late 17^th century up till the 19^th century.

SUZOR-CÔTÉ IN THE RIVERBRINK COLLECTION

A favourite artist of Mr. Weir, his collection of Suzor-Coté bronze sculpture is one of the finest outside of the province of Quebec.  He became famous for his sculpted and painted depictions of everyday people from the area surrounding his hometown.  Displayed among the books in our library, the warmth and humanity of his subjects is much appreciated by our visitors.