Bill Powell

Artist’s Statement

For over 40 years I have been fascinated by form and colour in the world around me. Changing those elements into a new look or concept that works artistically has been a constant challenge. That challenge drives me. It enables me to say that my best work, hopefully, is my next one.

Education

Post secondary – University of Waterloo (one year); graduated Hamilton Teacher’s College; brief stint at Ontario College of Art; studied under master Andy Stritof (six years).

Artist

Practicing visual artist, painting primarily in oils and watercolours - exhibitions in Ontario, Quebec, and Mexico; inaugural member of The Tiger Group (professional visual artists)
Former owner/operator of two commercial art galleries; current partner in the Tiger Group Studio Gallery
Former Canadian Advisor (3 years), Belles Artes de Jalisco, Mexico
Past Member, Board of Directors, Art Gallery of Hamilton
Adjudicated and organized many art exhibitions and professional craft shows
Taught art classes and individuals

Solo Exhibits Tiger Group Exhibits

Gairlock Gardens , Oakville Main Street Gallery, Hamilton

New Earth Gallery, Toronto Wellan Gallery, Thorold

Toronto City Hall Show Sunrise Gallery, Hamilton

Eco House, Hamilton Dorland Haight Gallery, Dundas

Art Gallery of Hamilton Dorland Haight Gallery, Milton

Canvas Gallery, Hamilton

Teatro Degollado, Guadalajara, Mexico

Television & Film

Ran a casting bank for movie and television “extras” for five years
Assisted in locations, transportation and community relations
Assisted young filmmakers on various aspects of their projects

Print

Created and published two art magazines – Random Scan and Arts & Entertainment Forum
Owned and operated Seagull Publishing Inc., which published several poetry books
Organized poetry competitions
Helped design and create promotional materials for artists (all mediums) and arts events

Music

Created and ran two coffeehouses over sixteen years which featured jazz, classical, blues, and folk as well as theatre, poetry readings, and experimental programs
Created and ran an Indie record company and a music talent agency
Organized major ticketed events
With assistance of the American Federation of Musicians, took music into schools and hospitals

Theatre

Conceived and produced Renaissance Festivals including contracting actors, organizing costumes, props, and promotion
Performed with Theatre Aquarius’ production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat
Helped establish two small theatre companies

Festivals & Events

Founding member of Niagara Festival Association; Festivals Ontario; Canadian Association of Festivals and Events; and Festivals & Events Ontario (of which I am an inaugural member of their Hall of Fame)
Created and ran many events, some of which became annual attractions with audiences between 2,000 and 250,000

My signature events were:

Festival of Friends, an all-Canadian arts festival featuring all genres of music from First Nations and Celtic to Soft Rock, Jazz, Blues, and Country. It also featured professional visual artists and craftspeople from across Canada. Festival of Friends was so successful that a core component toured the United States and Mexico twice.
Earthsong celebrated all aspects of world cultures highlighting music, dance, art, crafts, and food. Touring companies from around the world made it their Canadian showcase on their North American tours.

Other Festivals include:

Christie Do Fest (historical and environmental)
Crawford Lake Festival (native and historical)
First Night (Hamilton New Year’s Eve celebration)
Winterfest Hamilton (winter activities and entertainment)
Sweetheart Carnival (large indoor February beach party)
Tall Ships Festival (waterfront event featuring many visiting ships)
Cousteau Festival (featuring Jacques Cousteau and environmentalists from 97 countries)
Big Band Showdown (featuring live big bands – swing, jazz, and 20’s – 40’s music)
Magna Carta Festival (celebrating Hamilton stop for original Magna Carta)
Winter Festival of Friends (primarily professional craft show)
Aquafest (waterfront festival celebrating Hamilton’s harbor)
Buskingfest (street performers from around the world) – ran in Hamilton, Waterloo, Bracebridge, and most recently in Dundas for ten years.

Guest Lecturer and Workshop Leader

“Care & Feeding in Volunteer Recruitment”
“Thinking Outside of the Box Fundraising”
“Building a Public Event” – a checklist before you get into trouble

Awards & Recognitions

Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee Medal for work in the arts community (1977) and was honored to meet her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh at a dinner honoring Canadian artists and scientists, Ottawa 1977
Art Hamilton award, City of Hamilton, 1982
Declaration of International Fellowship, presented by the Texas Cultural Alliance, 1982
Hamilton’s Distinguished “Citizen of the Year”, presented by the Hamilton Advertising and Sales Club, 1984
Named Canada’s first “Ambassador of Tourism” by The Honorable Jack B. Murta, P.C., M.P., Minister of State (Tourism), 1986
Lescarbot Awards 1991 Honour, Government of Canada, in recognition of outstanding contributions to community cultural activities
125^th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992)
Lifetime Achievement Award, 1998 Greater Hamilton Tourism Awards of Excellence