Rita Letendre: In Studio

Throughout the month of November, Gallery Gevik is pleased to present Rita Letendre: In Studio – an exhibition of works from every decade of Rita’s career as well as a special installation featuring the artist’s work table, a selection of her paint brushes, palette knives and easel.

“Whenever I visited Rita’s studio, she was always so full of humour and exuded such a positive presence.  Having been lucky enough to keep many items from her studio since her passing in 2021, it’s been on my mind to try and recapture a bit of her magic in the gallery.  I hope this rare opportunity to view Rita’s art and her tools gives you a glimpse of her wonderful spirit.” – Phillip Gevik

In 1969, CBC Weekend host Barry Callaghan sat down with Rita for a revealing interview that touched on the young artist’s upbringing, cultural background, and her ambitions as an abstract artist in Canada. Now, almost fifty-four years later, we invite you to join us on Saturday November 11, 2023 at 3pm for a special conversation between Ray Ellenwood and Barry Callaghan during which they’ll touch on their impressions of Rita, the evolution of her art, her place in Canadian art history relative to the Automatiste movement and her widespread acclaim in the United States and abroad.