​The Victoria Arts Council Gallery presents
Avis Rasmussen in The View From Here
A 60-year retrospective, April 12 - May 28, 2023
Artist in Conversation, April 30 at 3PM

Scroll down to see photos of the Opening on April 15, and Closing Ceremony with Curator on May 28. 

Avis Rasmussen is a multi-talented and much respected member of Victoria’s cultural community. She is active in several groups: local plein air painters, sketch groups and Ground Zero Printmakers. Avis cheerfully participates in group shows and volunteers tirelessly for arts organizations and community causes. Over the years, Winchester Galleries sold many of Rasmussen’s plein air paintings.

Avis Rasmussen’s fascinating life as a visual artist comes into focus in The View From Here. The Victoria Arts Council (VAC) has collected over 100 artworks that chronicle her incredible journey, spanning over 60 years. The retrospective begins with an early watercolour of Beacon Hill Park, done in 1958. The following year, 1959, she took a sketchbook during her four-month European tour at age 22. This well-worn and precious book of drawings now resides in UVic’s Special Collections.

​Kegan McFadden, VAC’s executive director and curator says: “I believe visitors will be impressed by the depth and variety of artwork presented in this survey exhibition.”The View From Here demonstrates how Avis has consistently engaged with her surroundings to make artwork, the curator explains. “Whether depicting local gardens, European landscapes or jazz groups, her specific vantage point is clearly represented,” he says. Rasmussen agrees with the curator, adding that she uses a variety of mediums for visual expression: drawing, painting, printmaking and narrative poetry.  “My art accompanies me every day of my life,” Avis says, “while I enjoy family, friends, teaching or travelling.”

Scenes from Sidney, ink and watercolour, 1963

European sketchbook 1959, c/o Special Collections UVic

Avis was born in 1937 in Sidney BC  - a small fishing and farming village at the time. The first eight years of her life were overshadowed by World War II. The Rasmussen home was close to the Commonwealth Air Training Facilities at the Pat Bay Airport. “Our world included bomb shelters, calamity and the constant drone of aircraft overhead,” she recalls. Her family’s two-acre garden was a place of refuge for the young artist. As the fourth child of five in a busy family, she began sketching in the garden around age six, finding a place of peace and visual enchantment. Her chapbook Garden World describes these times.

After high school, Avis attended Victoria College. An education degree enabled her to teach school for two years in Chilliwack. In 1959, Avis and her younger sister travelled across Canada by train, then sailed to England aboard an ocean liner. Her brother, who lived in England, arranged their tour to Greece with the National Union of Students. Avis visited relatives in Denmark, then travelled via rail through Germany, Austria and Yugoslavia en route to Greece.
“It was quite an education,” she recalls, “each country had their own currency, security police, traditions and language.”

​Avis purchased the well-worn sketch book in London, England in 1959. Finding time to sketch proved challenging, as there was so much to see and do. She was captivated by European architecture: some historic buildings were majestic and intact, while others lay in ruins due to conflict and neglect. By the time they reached Greece, Avis had perfected her in-transit sketching techniques - which meant carefully looking while quickly drawing. Once back in Canada, the artist continued to explore local vistas. Scenes from Sidney, shows an ink and watercolour cover of a 1963 sketchbook.
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Nude, oil on canvas, stretched, unframed, 1976, 37x31 in.

Mother's Sweetpeas, 1976, watercolour, 5x3.5 in, UVic Collection

As a mature student in her forties, with five children at home, Rasmussen earned three university degrees: Bachelor of Education (1975), Bachelor of Fine Arts (1979) and Master of Education (1982). In 2019, her family established an endowed scholarship for UVic students in her name. Each year, the Avis Rasmussen Award is presented to a mature student in the Department of Visual Arts. “I have met with two of the recipients already,” says Avis, “and they are both remarkable people.”

Between 1975 and 1979 Avis studied painting and printmaking at UVic. The Nude oil on canvas painting was one of many completed in 1976. Students where encouraged to paint large canvases and use bold expansive brushwork. For Nude, Avis built the stretcher frame and stretched the canvas. Mother’s Sweetpeas, done the same year, shows the artist’s flexibility with size and media. On this small sheet of paper, only 5 inches high, the vivid red petals convey a concise visual impact. Perfectly balanced within the small space, the three blossoms sing summer glory.  

Self-portrait, pencil, 1978.

Self-portrait, woodcut, ed.of 23, 2001

Self-portraits are a recurring theme for the artist. The pencil sketch from 1978, is a head-and-shoulders portrait with an intensely focused gaze. The word "MORNING" printed in the bottom right hand corner may explain the casual disarray. In the 2001 woodcut, Avis is surrounded by the many aspects of her life: artwork on tables and easels, boats both large and small and a musical instrument. The cropped composition brings the viewer into direct contact with Avis’ wide-eyed, mischievous expression.

Emma Lake Boat III, oil on canvas, 34x40 in, 1992. UVic Collection.

Sprout Lake Boat, Japanese Woodblock, 1986.

Since the 1950s, Emma Lake Artists’ Workshops have taken place in northern Saskatchewan. Guests have included significant critics like Clement Greenburg (1962) and abstract artists from major North American cities. These artists’ workshops offer insights and confidence to all participants, by infusing fresh ideas and cosmopolitan energy.

In 1992, Avis was invited to attend Emma Lake. The Guest Artists in 1992 were Suzanna Heller from New York, and Evan Penney, a sculptor from Toronto. At Emma Lake, Guest Artists don’t instruct, but create their own artwork alongside participants. Avis recalls that each artist had a cabin in the woods and a studio in the main building. Avis went on painting excursions with colleagues, including Twyla Rusnak, Dorothy Knowles and Illarion Gallant. During an evening lecture, Avis showed slides from her Coastal Boat series and was questioned by Bill Perehudoff. While painting her Emma Lake Boat series, Avis remembers Perehudoff wandering by and offering quick comments like: “It’s finished!” Avis comments: “My whole life has been near the ocean and close to boats, so I decided to paint vessel shapes at Emma Lake.” Emma Lake Boat III resides in the University of Victoria collection.

Montone, medieval village in Umbria, countryside in Italy painted by Avis Rasmussen.

Umbrian View II, oil on panel, 8x10, 2001.

Olives and Cypress I, oil on panel, 8x10, 2001.

​During two separate years, 2001 and 2003, Avis was in Residency at the International School of Drawing, Painting & Sculpture in Montecastello di Vibio, Italy. Montecastello is in Umbria, an area of Italy that boasts historic towns set among rolling hills, olive groves and forests. The Umbrian Series features several plein air oil panels from both her Residencies. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, Avis painted near Montone, a medieval village in Umbria, for one month each summer. Winchester Galleries sold many of these plein air paintings.

Sunflower Field, oil on panel, 12x14, 2003

Grapevines Before Harvest, oil on panel, 12x14, 2003.

Badlands of Alberta, A/P, linocut, Take Five Family Road Trip, 2010

Jazz UVic “Gardenia”, linocut 3/20, 12x14, 1998.

​The retrospective features 10 Take-Five (family road trip) linocut prints that document the Rasmussen family travels. Badlands of Alberta features two of the five children Avis took on a cross-Canada tour in 1977. The twins, Anna and Helen, were aged six at the time. The oldest daughter, Karin, had just turned 16 and was able to share the driving. Tove (aged 13) collected maps and helped plan the trip. Roland purchased a hatchet to chop firewood. Their mother applied for a bank loan to buy a well-equipped 1973 camper van. During negotiations at the bank, the manager said: “But you don’t have a job.” Avis replied: “You bet I do! I’ve got five kids!”

That Rhythm Man, A/P 2nd edition linocut, 12x14.

Linoleum block showing carved out design, for Rhythm Man.

​Avis is a dedicated jazz fan who often sketches performing musicians. The Jazz Series has over 20 prints spanning 1998 to 2006. Her printing techniques are varied and include lithograph (plate), waterless plate lithograph, linocut, linocut with water-based ink, reduction linocut, drypoint etching and etching. ​Avis joined Ground Zero Printmaking Society in 1997 and has served on the board of directors. Victoria Edgarr and Alain Costaz are key members of Ground Zero. Edgarr points out that printmaking is challenging and requires focus and determination. “Avis is enthusiastic and prolific,” says Edgarr, “and able to produce a final product using a variety of techniques.”

​The View from Here is supported by a co-publication between UVic Special Collections and the Victoria Arts Council. Poems by Avis published in previous chapbooks are combined with newer poems. In 2019, while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Victoria Arts Council, McFadden honoured Avis with a lifetime membership. Citing her long service to the arts community, curator McFadden says: “We are lucky to have a treasure like Avis in our midst, and this retrospective honours her many contributions.”
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Victoria Arts Council, 1800 Store Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4R4. 
Phone: 778-533-7123
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12:00-5:00.
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 11:00-5:00
​
   vicartscouncil.ca

On April 15, friends, family and artist colleagues gathered to honour Avis' long and remarkable career.
Avis' grand-daughter Bailey Rasmussen, who added murals to the vault space, attended the multi-generational event.

Below:
​Many attended the Closing that included an insightful tour by Curator Kegan McFadden, ED of the Victoria Arts Council.

​​​Web Design and Content by Kate Cino
Arts writer published in Focus on Victoria, Yam and Boulevard. 
History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from 
​the University of Victoria
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