Date Change: Totem Pole Installation Photo Op Moved From Wednesday To Tuesday Noon At The Mcmichael Gallery, Kleinburg

Date and Time changed because totem pole and erection crew arriving earlier than planned at the McMichael. Photo Opportunity: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at Noon.

TORONTO, Aug. 31 – A Media Exclusive by invitation only! This is the only opportunity to cover the installation of the McMichael’s latest major art acquisition – a twenty-foot totem pole to be raised in the gallery’s Grand Hall.WHAT: The McMichael Canadian Art Collection has recently commissioned a major acquisition; a full-scale totem pole by artist Don Yeomans will be installed in the gallery as part of its permanent collection. The installation of the twenty-foot totem pole will take place September 1st at 12:00 noon in the gallery’s Grand Hall, which will be closed to the public. Media will have exclusive access to witness and photograph/film this historic moment.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 12:00 noon (photo op will take a maximum of 30 minutes)

WHERE: McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Grand Hall. The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg.

WHO: Media are invited to attend to witness/photograph/film the totem pole installation and speak with: Artist, Don Yeomans; McMichael Executive Director & CEO, Tom Smart.

WHY: Don Yeomans is one of the most respected and renowned Northwest Coast Native artists. Born of a Masset Haida father and a Métis mother from Slave Lake, Alberta, Yeomans has studied and worked in the Haida style since he was a youth. He uses many materials in the creation of his artworks and his carving skills are exceptional and consummate his understanding of the Haida form. This latest thought-provoking artwork challenges many traditional native values by interweaving traditional iconography and totemic animals with today’s different modern modes of technological communication.

YOU MUST RSVP PLEASE. Media contact:

Stephen Weir, Publicist
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
sweir[at]mcmichael.com

For further information: Stephen Weir, Stephen Weir & Associates, Stephen[at]stephenweir.com or sweir5492[at]rogers.com 2482 Yonge Street, Unit 45032, Toronto, ONT., CANADA., M4P 3E3, Tel: (416) 489-5868, Fax: (416) 488-6518, www.stephenweir.com