About
About the Women’s Art Association of Canada
The Women’s Art Association of Canada is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit, charitable organization with 230 members. Our purpose is to provide public education in the arts, to support artists and the education of students in the arts, through its scholarship program. In keeping with our charitable mandate, WAAC offers arts-based educational programs and art workshops that are open to the public. Our community is important to us, where we play an active role and work in partnership in arts-related initiatives.
Located in Toronto’s historical Yorkville neighbourhood, the heart of WAAC is a 19th century house that backs onto a formal garden. The main entrance opens up into the Dignam Gallery, a large room that hosts art exhibitions – members’ shows, juried and partnership exhibitions – receptions, luncheons, and also educational lectures by prominent guest speakers. The WAAC venue is also a popular rental site for book launches, private exhibitions, garden parties, weddings, and corporate meetings.
Founded in 1887, and after 135 years, Women’s Art continues to nurture artistic talent and interests within a welcoming environment. The Association is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse culture.
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Women’s Art Association of Canada operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
Board of Directors
Dixie Allen
President & Director, Scholarship
Ingrid Hamilton
Vice President & Director, Marketing
Barbara Mitchell
Secretary & Director, Permenant Collection
Peter Scott
Director, Treasurer
Elaine Fleck
Director, Gallery
Helen Sklarz
Director, Sponsorship & Fundraising
Piera Pugliese
Director, Membership
Marsha Stall
Director, Programs
Nina Silver
Director, Programs
Rachel Connell
director-at-large
Sharon MacLennan
Director-at-Large
Marilyn Halley
Director-at-Large
Maggie Broda
Director-at-Large
Amanda Catherine
Director-at-Large
Past Presidents
Alexandra Bratton
President 2023-2025
Anita Stein
President 2021-2024
Maggie Broda
President 2019-2023
Danielle Fraser
Co-President 2018-2019
Dale Butterill
President 2013-18, Co-President 2018-2019
Barbara Mitchell
Co-President 2009-10, President 2011-2013
Heather Beecroft
Co-President 2009-2010
Mary Lennox Hourd
President January 1 – June 30, 2009
History
In September 1887, an enthusiastic group of young women artists organized an art club based on the Art Student’s League of New York. In a studio in the Yonge Street Arcade building they met to work together in painting, drawing, modeling and sketching from still life and living models.
An early studio session
No instruction was given, the objective was to provide an incentive and help towards self-development, to draw out (independent of the instructor) personal resources, which are necessary to individual effort.
By 1890 the informal club had became a “women’s art club” for the purpose of creating general interest in art and encouragement of women’s work, through the exchange of ideas and cooperation among its members, as well as the holding of art exhibitions and lectures.
In 1893 the Association became affiliated with the National Council of Women, founded by the wife of the Governor General, Lady Aberdeen. In the late 1880’s Lady Aberdeen had invited Mary Ella Dignam to Government House to discuss the possibility of continuing to organize groups of women artists and “handicrafters” in order to assist them and promote interest in their work.
In 1907 the association was incorporated by a bill passed in the House of Commons, Ottawa incorporating it officially as the Women’s Art Association of Canada.
Bill No.30 An Act To Incorporate The Women’s Art Association of Canada
“The objects of the Association shall be the creating of a general interest in art and the encouragement of women’s work for the purpose of mutual help and co-operation of its members, the establishment of art lectures and reading clubs, the holding of exhibitions of painting, designs, sculpture, engraving and the industrial arts, and the encouragement and development of the art handicrafts and home industries of Canada.”
The motto chosen was that of the old Plantin Printers of Antwerp “Labore et Constantia” meaning “By Work and Perseverance”. The crest with the motto is still commonly used, the colours of the Association are red and white and the emblem the wild rose.
In April 1930, the Association was affiliated with the Lyceum Club of London, England, and became known as the Lyceum Club and Women’s Art Association of Canada until after the Second World War when the name was changed back to its original title.
You can access the WAAC fonds at the City of Toronto Archives here.
MARY ELLA DIGNAM
Mary Ella Dignam, was the founder and first president of the Women’s Art Association of Canada, was a pioneer in this country’s arts and crafts movement. She was a versatile artist who studied in London Ontario, New York and Paris in 1886. Upon return to Toronto she founded the Women’s Art Club, later renamed the Women’s Art Association of Canada. She established and maintained close friendships with The Group of Seven, who included 15 WAAC artists in their 1923-30 shows.
The Arcade Building (left) was one of a number of venues that the Women’s Art Association occupied before settling on its current premises at 21/23 Prince Arthur Av. Watch a short video of its history.
The WAAC Library
Guide to the Women’s Art Association of Canada Library
When members visit our Library, they will discover a diverse collection of over 3,500 art books, in a historic 19th century home once resided in by an artist, Anne Langton and her family. The library fulfills an important role in WAAC’s education mandate & members of the public are more than welcome to access our collection for research purposes through prior arrangement with the office OR the first & third Saturdays of every month (1-4 pm).
We are open to members and their guests during regular office hours, 9:30 am – 5 pm, Tuesdays – Saturday. (Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) We strongly encourage both to enjoy our library. Members and guests enjoy soaking up the historic atmosphere, working on their creative pursuits, conducting research or sketching in our comfortable chairs.
Art Collection
In addition to our remarkable library, we have a beautifully curated collection of artwork on the library walls, many of which are by former WAAC members.
Library Guide
There is a Guide to the Art Collection in the plastic holder to the left of the entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the library open?
Regular office hours 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays
When is the library unavailable to visit?
Unless there is a scheduled meeting taking place, the library is available to members to visit. Please check with the office ahead of time.
When is the library available to the public?
The first and third Saturdays of each month, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. or by appointment.
What is in the library?
Our collection includes:
– 3,500 art books from around the world
– Art magazines
– A small collection of art-related DVDS
– Historical documents
Who may borrow materials?
WAAC members & staff may borrow books & DVDs. Members of the public may arrange to access materials while in the library, but not to remove them.
How long may books or DVDs be borrowed?
Four weeks. If unable to return a book in person, please arrange for drop off.
Books borrowed in June may be held until the first event in September.
Can resources identified as “For Reference Only” OR resources/historical books stored in the alcove in the hallway outside the Library be borrowed?
No. Reference materials including fragile books, WAAC memorabilia, dictionaries, encyclopaedias etc. are available to be enjoyed only while in the library.
How many items can be borrowed at once?
Up to 5 items at a time, with the exception between June – September when you can borrow up to 10 items.
What is the procedure for borrowing books or DVDs?
There is a “sign out” book in the library, to the left of the entrance in which you record the date, title, name, email address or phone number. Please print.
What about renewing borrowed items?
Items can be renewed twice unless there is a request for them from another member.
How do I renew items?
Please sign the item out again in the “Sign Out” book OR e-mail the Library Chair (cherylgorman150@gmail.com) or her designee who will either do that for you or inform you if someone is waiting for that item.
How do I return materials?
Place the items in the basket on the table outside the library door. A member of the Library Committee will collect materials from the basket and record that it has been returned in the “Sign Out” book.
Please do not leave returning materials on tables, shelves or anywhere else in the Library.
Can anyone donate to the collection, if so, how?
Donations of art-related books and DVDs are welcome. However we have limited space and are concentrating on building our collection in under-represented areas: Africa, the Middle East, S.E. Asia, Central & South America and 21st century art.
Why should I donate to the Library Fund?
Donations are much appreciated and allow us to continuously improve our Library!
Please speak with Cheryl Gorman, the Library Chair, to discuss Library Priorities.
Who do I contact for donations, borrowing, renewing or any other concern?
The Library Committee Members:
Cheryl Gorman, Chair
Marsha Brown; Gillian Morden; Sandra Pappas; Geri Sadoway; Don Wilkins and Karen Zavitz.
For more information, please email Cheryl Gorman at cherylgorman150@gmail.com or call/text her at (416) 458-1136.
How do I navigate the library content & in finding what I’m looking for?
A Placement guide to the collection is located in a plastic holder on the wall to the left of entrance.
WAAC Library Online Catalogue
In addition to our physical collection, we offer a catalogue of our collection online, which can be accessed anytime from home or on the laptop provided in the Library.
To access the catalogue, https://www.librarycat.org/lib/WAAC, OR through the link in the Library section of the WAAC website.
Where is the laptop located?
The laptop is always on the desk located on the south wall under the right window.
How do I locate books in the cabinets?
Each cabinet is numbered sequentially and labelled. If the subject matter of a book is specific to a country or region, it is located in the cabinet so named, i.e. U.S.A is Cabinet #7.
Organization: Each country cabinet follows the same order as below
General History, art movements, art specific in that region/country
Arranged alphabetically by book title
Artists Artists of that country
Arranged alphabetically by artist’s last name, not book title
Groups of Artists
Arranged alphabetically by book title
Collections
Catalogues of private & public collections and/or exhibitions held within that country
Arranged alphabetically by book title
If a book addresses a general topic not specific to a country, then it will appear in the cabinet labelled with the CATEGORY to which it belongs.
Ie. Cabinet #10 is Art Theory & Techniques; Art General is Cabinet #4
List of Cabinets, location & contents:
Meanings of arr. = arranged, alpha. = alphabetical
Library Catalogue
Book Club
WAAC member BOOK CLUB 2021 -2022
May 12, 2021
INDIANS ON VACATION
Thomas King
September 22, 2021
FULL DISCLOSURE
Beverley McLachlin
November 24, 2021
THE TESTAMENTS
Margaret Atwood
January 12, 2022
THE RETURN
Nicholas Sparks
March 9, 2022
NO GREAT MISCHIEF
Alistair MacLeod
May 11, 2022
MOUNTAINS BEYOND MOUNTAINS
Tracy Kidder
Education
The Women’s Art Association of Canada offers a variety of arts-related educational programs to the public and to our members. The Association hosts lectures throughout the year presented by members and outside individuals and groups, such as the Artist’s Voice Lecture Series. The majority of these events are open to the public. For further information on what’s on and upcoming events, please visit the Events Calendar and current and upcoming exhibitions. Members of the public are welcome to access the Library Collection for research purposes.
Members have a number of special resources available to them including a printing press, a Library with a broad collection of materials related to the arts, information on current arts activities in the Greater Toronto Area, and discounts at local art stores.
