Presentation House Gallery is in the midst of establishing an annual showcase for young artists thanks to a $125,000 donation from Rogers Communications.
The photographic arts hub will display the work of artists graduating from Metro Vancouver colleges and universities each year as part of the Philip B. Lind Emerging Artist Commission, named for a retiring Rogers executive.
"It certainly came suddenly but not out of the blue," said PHG executive director Reid Shier of the donation.
With Lind's retirement after a 45-year career imminent, Rogers solicited a proposal from PHG. The gallery quickly concocted an idea that would honour the "upcoming generation of Vancouver artists" by giving a boost to a photography or visual arts graduate.
"We thought it might be something that (Lind) would appreciate having his name attached to," Shier said.
Shier said everyone at the gallery is confident there will be no shortage of worthy recipients.
"We really have quite a smorgasbord to pick from," he said. "For whatever reason Vancouver continues to produce really amazing visual artists."
Shier said he was proud to honour Lind.
"He's really trumpeted visual arts in Canada," Shier said. ind has been a longtime collector of Vancouver art, according to a press release from Rogers. "The Gallery is a favourite of mine and I'm impressed with their focus and look forward to watching the up-and-coming artists that will benefit from this program," Lind stated in the release.
The grant from Rogers comes on the heels of a $4-million donation from Polygon Homes and the Audain Foundation that will help PHG find its footing and a new name when the redesigned gallery opens its doors in its new waterfront location.
