Canadian director, designer, producer and art-gallery curator, Gordon Gibbs (1926-2009) played a major role in the development of the Calgary theatre scene after moving to the city in 1948. A graduate of the College of Commerce, University of Saskatchewan, he was employed by Gulf Canada Resources in exploration administration management for 38 years. Appointed to a Gulf Art Committee in 1978 which established the Gulf Canada Art Collection; founded and directed the Gulf Canada Gallery in 1981 which provided an exhibition venue for over 2,000 amateur and professional Alberta artists in its eleven years of existence. Formed GIBBZART, an art consulting firm, after retiring from Gulf. Made an honorary director of the Alberta Society of Artists for his work in the visual art field. As a director, Gibbs was responsible for many firsts in Calgary including first amateur play in the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, first opera production, first musical comedy and the introduction of several contemporary plays of the American 'kitchen-sink' school by such playwrights as Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee. He is a founding father of Theatre Calgary and Lunchbox Theatre and was on both Boards for many years. He was on the planning committee for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympics and Chairman of the committee providing nightly entertainment at the Plaza Medal Ceremonies; also served for 24 years on the Grandstand Committee of the Calgary Stampede including stints as stage manager. He has also been an adjudicator, lecturer, set designer, advisor to individuals and organizations, directed a film, two television plays, and served on the executives of the Dominion Drama Festival, the Calgary Drama Council and the Calgary Regional Arts Foundation. He has been honoured with many awards including: a Canadian Drama Award for his contribution to Canadian theatre in 1958; nominated to the 'Pioneer in the Arts' honour roll in the lobby of the Performing Arts Centre in 1985; an Alberta Achievement Award for his Olympic work in 1988.
Principal editor of the Encyclopaedia of Ireland and accountant Victor Meally was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 26, 1911 and died in 1986. Attended Trinity College, Dublin, and graduated with double first class honours in philosophy and mathematics. Was an active member of the Dublin University Mathematical Society, the Metaphysical Society and the Chess Club. Throughout his life took part in many causes such as the Irish Anti-War Crusade and anti-apartheid movement.
Canadian poet. G. L. Aitkens, née Chadderdon, born in Lexington, Minnesota in 1891. Emigrated to Alberta in 1914. Poetry published in periodicals and/or anthologies in the United States, England, Belgium and Italy and in poetry collection Ponderings in print.
Canadian artist, designer, teacher and writer Stephen Andrews was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on May 16, 1922. Studied art at Winnipeg School of Art, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Camberwell School of Arts, London, England, privately with Martin Bloch in London, England, at the Académie Julian, Paris, France, and the Scuola del Mosaics, Ravenna, Italy. Died in Spain in 1995. Biographical information available in Biographical dictionary of Saskatchewan artists, v. 2, 1990, p. 5-8; Canadian art, v. 1, 1988, p. 12-13; Canadian who's who, v. 29, 1994, p. 22; and A dictionary of Canadian artists, 5th ed., v. 1, 1997, p. 122.
Canadian artist, caricaturist and author. I. Bickerstaff, pseudonym for Don Evans, born in Toronto, Ontario. Graduate of Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and University of Western Ontario. Career includes work as an editor, author, artist and manager. Published works include Mariposa forever, Friends, hosers & countrymen and What's the difference? Resides in Orillia, Ontario, where he was elected as alderman in 1991.
A branch of the Canadian Authors Association was organized in Calgary, Alberta, in 1921 with Dr. George W. Kerby, Winnifred Reeve, Frank Morton and Enid Griffis as the first executive. The association promoted good writing among Calgary writers and organized readings and speakers dealing with topics of interest to local authors. In the 1980s the association changed its name to the Calgary Authors League and in 1989 to the Calgary Writers Association.
For further information see Turning back the pages / by Richard W. Ramsay (Calgary : Calgary Writers Association, 1992).