PEIACSW Annual Report Covers
PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women 50th Anniversary
1976
1980-1981
1988 - Graphic �by Silver Frith
1990 - ACSW Logo
Logo and wordmark designed by Ken Shelton,
c. 1988.
1991 - “Rise Up, Rise Up…” �by Elizabeth Vessey
"Rise Up, Rise Up..." is a reproduction of a 7" x 9" pen and ink drawing by Island artist Elizabeth Vessey.
It is a commemorative piece in honour of the 14 women murdered on December 6, 1989, at l’École Polytechnique in Montreal.
1993 - “December 6 Montreal Massacre Commemoration” - by Ruth Skinner
This photograph was taken during the December 6 Montreal Massacre commemoration held at the Advisory Council office in December 1992.
One candle was lit for each of the 14 women murdered at l’École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989.
1994 - “Irish Rose” �by Dale M. McNevin
Dale M. McNevin is an artist/illustrator living on Prince Edward Island and in 1994 was owner of Fat Cat Ink located in Charlottetown.
Her work includes illustrations for newspapers, magazines, publications, cassette designs and posters, restoration of old photographs, freelance calligraphy work, and the design of personal and business cards.
1995 - “Mother’s Day Dream” �by Vian Emery
"This etching on zinc plate is based on a Mother's Day card I drew back in my early twenties when I was an art student at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.”
“…I am still able to connect and command horses and chariots by shear power of will without benefit of traces or harness.
It seems to me a fitting image these times when so many women, each in their own way, are emerging together girded by their strengths and convictions to make this a better world for everyone."
1996 - “Communion #1” �by Silver Frith
Stoneware, watercolour on board, 1992
“This image was created in response to an experience I had while visiting the Great Barrier Reef with my partner in 1991…”
“One day we came upon a turtle swimming along the bottom below us and were able to swim along the surface until we were directly above her, separated by only a few feet. This turtle continued swimming slowly below while we followed above during a magical few minutes. I felt blessed by her presence and touched by a mystical, ancient wise energy, as though she had lived forever and knew everything there was to know about life…”
1998 - “Farm Woman” �by Karen Gallant
Acrylic on masonite 2.3' x 4.3'
“A woman's dream: with farm animals and farm dancing around her, the contented farm mother is in the centre of her farm carrying an overflowing basket of tomatoes. Her farm and farm animals seem to dance around and about her.”
1999 - “Circle of Life” �by Carol Boyles
"Circle of Life" - Fabric Art Hanging, 24" square
“The life forces are represented by a continuous pink colour which brightens and darkens. Colours representing moods spiral out to form a circle. Issues depicting children, skills, work, beauty, violence, gender, disease, and philanthropy are represented in chaos or order, as the times permit.” This piece was featured in First Hand: Arts, Crafts, and Culture by PEI Women of the 20th Century.
2001 - “Her Name Is…” �by Dale McNevin
Watercolour and ink illustration, 2' x 3'
Theme: Elder women and their valuable contribution throughout history.
2002 - “Clinton PEI” �by Joan Savage
Computer scan of chalk pastel by Island artist and past ACSW member, Joan Savage of Summerside PEI.
2003 - “Daisies Last Longest” �by Lisa Murphy
Digital Photo of 20” x 28” watercolour by Island artist and past ACSW director, Lisa Murphy from Charlottetown, PEI
2004 - “Teahill Tree” �by Sandy Kowalik
Island artist and past ACSW staff member.
Charlottetown, PEI.
2004 - “Maggie’s Quilt” �by Maggie Baker�
This quilt was donated to the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women in July 2001 by former Chairperson Dianne Porter. Dianne’s sister Maggie made the quilt from her family’s clothing.
2006 - “Collage of PEI landscape photographs”�by Sister Norma Gallant
Sister Norma Gallant was a member of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women at the time of this annual report.
2007 - “Sunflower” �by Sandy Kowalik
Watercolour on Paper, 2003
Sandy Kowalik coordinated the PEIACSW’s Purple Ribbon Campaign Against Violence. In 2006, the Advisory Council recognized her for her 5(+) years working with Council to that time.
2008 - “Quilt Quad” �by Pauline Thomson
Samples of four quilts by Pauline Thomson. Pauline was a member of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women at the time of this annual report.
2009 - “Damn Damsons and Greengage” �by Katharine Dagg
Acrylic, 2009.
Katharine created this beautiful painting as a commission for the Women’s Work(s) Art Promotion and Fundraiser in 2009.
2010 - “Work Can Wait. It’s Time to Make Fairy Tea” �by Dianne Morrison-Robinson
Acrylic, 18” x 24”, 2009
Dianne created this beautiful painting as a commission for the Women’s Work(s) Art Promotion and Fundraiser in 2009.
2011 - “Empower Women” �by Susan Christensen
Digital print, 24’ x 36’, 2011
Susan created this inspiring print for the International Women's Day Centenary Art Exhibition at The Guild in Charlottetown in 2011.
2009 - “Mom’s Biscuits - Home” �by Lisa Murphy
Acrylic, 8” x 8”, 2009
This painting depicts Lisa’s mother Margaret’s hands mixing biscuits for her family. Lisa was Executive Director of the Council from 1992-2000 and 2004-2012.
2012 - “Women’s Voice” series�by Catherine Miller
2012 PEI
These three pieces of fabric art by Catherine Miller represent women’s voices in life and protest: being silent, talking, or yelling.
These artworks are also featured on cards the PEIACSW sends to PEI women as thank yous, congratulations and for special occasions.
2014 - “Mexicans Harvesting Cabbage in Vernon Bridge” �by Norah Pendergast
“This scene occurred in late October 2013, across the street from the school where I teach. I had noticed the work crew all week and was inspired by their labour and the theme of migrant workers.”
The Council purchased this piece from another International Women’s Day art show and sale.
2015 - “The Sovereign Uterus” �by Becka Viau
Digital Painting
This artwork was the signature piece for a blog of first-person stories of trying to access abortion care and reproductive rights in PEI.
Becka said, “For me the creation of art must communicate to a popular audience in order to stimulate conversations around current issues and experiences.”
2016 - “A Drop of Dew” �by Catherine Rankin
Pencil, 2015
Catherine Rankin of Summerside was the Vice-Chairperson of the PEIACSW and a member of the Council from 2011 to 2016. In 2015, Catherine had been renewing her love of nature and of drawing for the previous two years and taking part in a supportive group of artists who met weekly in Summerside.
2017 - “Island Pond” �by Mari Basiletti
Watercolour, 2014
Mari Basiletti became a member of the PEIACSW in 2013, and Chairperson in 2016. She makes art from her home in Canoe Cove, PEI, and her work is in various public and private collections, including the PEI Art Bank.
The painting “Island Pond” depicts the lake in Maine where she and her brothers and sisters and their families gather for reunions.
2018 - “Moonsnail” �by Mari Basilleti
Watercolour, 2017
Mari Basiletti became a member of the PEIACSW in 2013, and Chairperson in 2016. She makes art from her home in Canoe Cove, PEI, and her work is in various public and private collections, including the PEI Art Bank.
The painting “Moonsnail” was a gift to the PEIACSW office at the end of her term as Chairperson.
“A Walk Along French River Shore PEI”
by Susan Christensen
Watercolour, 20” x 24”, 2018
Susan Christensen, born in Summerside, PEI, has a deep love for her Island home which is clearly evident in her artwork.
Communion with nature is the essence of her inspiration and it is this exploration of her personal responses that produces artwork that is known internationally and nationally, as well as locally.
2020 - “Mother of All Crows” �by Gail Rhyno
Gail Rhyno said about her piece, “Most of my work at this time centres on creating scenes with large birds, moments in time that create a story or attempt to form an intimate connection between the bird and the viewer.
“‘Mother of all Crows’ is one of those pieces where I pulled from my love of stories where large birds play a role in folklore or fantasy, as guardians or protectors. A large ‘otherworldly’ bird, creating a sense of peace and tranquility as it moves above the world below.”
2021 - “Mary Jane” �by Melissa Peter Paul
Made with porcupine quills, sweetgrass, and birch bark, 5" diameter.
Melissa Peter Paul is a Mi'kmaw woman from the Abegweit First Nation, located on Epekwitk (PEI). Growing up, Melissa was immersed in cultural teachings and began her artistic expression at a young age, making regalia and beadwork, and is skilled in both traditional and contemporary styles. Her exposure to other Mi'kmaw art forms led her to the quillwork, a traditional skill in which the ancestors of her maternal grandfather excelled.
2022 - “Starling Pride” �by Lindsey Ross
Archival Ink & Watercolour, 11"x 14"
Lindsey Ross is a traditional artist from Eastern Prince Edward Island.
The piece shown here is titled “Starling Pride” and was originally illustrated using watercolours and archival inks. It has been used in partnership with others for fundraising endeavours, primarily Pride PEI and PEERS Alliance.
2023 - “Votes for Women” �by Mari Basiletti and JoDee Samuelson
2022 marked the centennial of gender being removed as a barrier to voting. This commissioned poster depicts the story of “Votes for Women,” but not as though 1922 marked the ending to a finished story. The poster includes many waystations on the pathway to inclusion and democracy for women, systemically excluded groups, and women from systemically excluded groups. The poster features an image for each of the ten decades of the last hundred years, including some individual figures and recognizable milestones, but also alluding to ordinary women in the community and ongoing struggles.
2024 - “Unity Quilt” �by Liz Dempsey from a design by Bonnie Hunter
Quilt, 2020
Quilter Liz Dempsey is the owner/operator of Blueberry Cove LongArm Quilting Studio, Newport, PEI.
“Unity Quilt” was an online quilt begun during the beginning of COVID, when the world was shut down. Liz Dempsey says, “I chose bright colours for my version of Bonnie Hunter’s design. The bright colours made me smile and kept me at peace while I was piecing this quilt.”
2024 - “The Grass, The Moon & The Wind” �by Emily Howard
Acrylic, 26"x 34", 2023
“The grass looked up to the moon and said, ‘I’m frightened, the wind is getting stronger. The moon looked down and smiled: ‘Do not fear the wind, it’s come to help you deepen your roots. I'm always looking at nature as a teacher. There are many winds that have come howling through my life and it had scary moments but each storm helped me learn how to widen my stance and grow in ways I never knew possible.”
“My name is Emily Howard, and I am a visual artist from PEI. All of my paintings are loosely tied to the magnificent colours and textures found all around this Island-at our beaches, across our shorelines, and in the flowers and fields. I start with a memory, remembering what that day was like-walking, breathing in the fresh air. Then I paint.”