Anne Grant Petrie
212-100 Saghalie Road
Victoria, BC
V9A0A1
Born: Toronto, Canada, 1946
Education
Independent Studies Program, Vancouver Island School of Art, 2018-19
BFA (with distinction), Alberta College of Art and Design, 2008
MA (English Literature) University of British Columbia, 1974
BA (English Literature ) University of British Columbia , 1969
Careers/Work History
Radio and Television Broadcasting 1972-2003
For more than 30 years I worked in many aspects of local and national broadcasting as a researcher, producer, documentary maker, columnist and commentator in news and current affairs. The bulk of my employments was as a host/interviewer with CBC radio and Television for such shows as CBC Vancouver Radio’s daily drive home show, Three’s Company (1975-80) CBC Winnipeg Late Night. As the first host signed with CBC Newsworld (now CBC News Network) I anchored many programs, such as Canada Live, Petrie in Prime and Anne Petrie’s Talk TV. I received awards from BC ACTRA, The Columbus Film and Video Festival and the New York Festival of International TV Programming.
Publications
During the period of my broadcasting career I published several best selling non-fiction books on local Vancouver history and culture, including Ethnic Vancouver and Vancouver Secrets. Gone to an Aunt’s: Remembering Canada’s Homes for Unwed Mothers published by McLelland & Stewart in 1998 was a national best-seller and continues to be available as an e-book from Penguin-Random House.
Art Career 2008-
Although I loved my work in media, at the same time I wanted to take my creative energy in a new direction. When I won a full scholarship to the Alberta College of Art and Design I took an early retirement from the CBC. I graduated from ACAD (with distinction) in 2008. As a student, I received numerous awards, including the Art Central Studio award upon graduation.
Post graduation I maintained a studio practice in Calgary participating in group shows at Art Central in Calgary and the Leighton Art Centre in Millville, Alberta . I also extended my practice to printmaking and became active in the Alberta Printmakers Association as an annual renter and participant in group shows and projects.
I continued my art education including workshops with Dan Welden (2010) and Don Messec(2013), leaders in solar plate printmaking technology. I attended scholarship-funded workshops in drawing and mono-printing at the Anderson Ranch, Snowmass , Colorado (2009, 2011) and a printmaking residency at Can Serrat Art Centre, El Bruc-Barcelona, Spain (2014) .
During this period, I also worked as a part time teacher in the Academic Foundations Program at Calgary’s Bow Valley College (2008-2014) assisting immigrants and refugees to upgrade their reading and writing skills in order to qualify for college entrance. Though this job did take me away from my art practice, it was very fulfilling–an opportunity to contribute that I am glad I did not miss.
In 2016, I relocated to Victoria, British Columbia, re-established a studio art practice and in 2018 embarked on a one-year postgraduate Independent Study Program at the Vancouver Island School of Art.
Recent Art Activity
2021
‘said/unsaid’, 2 person exhibition, Errant Art Space, Victoria BC
‘She Also Served’, Group Show, University of Calgary Dept of Art & Calgary Military Museums
2020
‘Cabinets of Curiosity’ juried exhibition, Slide Room Gallery, Vancouver Island School of Art, Victoria BC
‘ConText'(group show) Errant Art Space, part of City Wide Festival of Literary and Visual Art, Victoria BC
‘A Near Order’ Reflections on the Art of Cameron McLellan, Reservoir, essay for online publishing project, Empty Gallery Victoria BC
Judge, ‘Kiosk Animation’ public art initiative, City of Victoria Arts and Culture Program
Boxcar 6 ‘Covid Postcard Project’ (group show), 50/50 Gallery, Victoria BC
2019
“Draw: A Contemporary Drawing Pop-Up Show”, (group show) Ministry of Casual Living, Victoria BC
Won ‘First Place, Drawing’, ‘Look’, Victoria Arts Council First Annual Open Exhibition
‘Irregular’ Graduation Exhibition, Independent Study Program, Slide Room Gallery, Vancouver Island School of Art, Victoria BC
2017-2018
Selected, Victoria Community Arts Council annual ‘Art Now’ juried exhibitions
Recent Related Activity
2018-19
Co-author ‘Women’s Studies at the University of British Columbia’ a history of student-initiated women’s studies program 1971-72 for the vancouverwomenscaucus.ca history website
2016-17
Donation- compilation (with brief essays) of career research materials (mss, correspondence , video/audio etc) to University of Victoria Archives
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Anne Petrie 