Nickle Picks: Leeanne Morrow, Associate University Librarian

When thinking about Nickle Galleries my thoughts always take me to my first experience in their collection as an undergraduate completing an Art History degree at U of C around 2000. I had been introduced to the work of Janet Mitchell, a Calgary artist, in a class I had taken on Canadian art history. I was immediately captivated by her work. I had an assignment for a contemporary art class and was encouraged to choose any contemporary artist I wanted to explore. I knew I would write about Janet. I learned the Nickle had a piece in their collection. I contacted them and booked an appointment to see it. This was my first time getting up close and personal with Janet’s work. I remember the Curator pulling out the drawer and there in front of me was ‘Carnival’! The faces, the almost electric movement and the vibrant colour! I was overwhelmed not only by the piece itself but by the fact that the Nickle let an undergraduate student have such an intimate experience with a masterpiece. I said to myself right there that day, when I was a true adult, I would own my own Janet Mitchell. Fast forward to Levis Auction April 14, 2019 and ‘Happy Cats’, watercolour on paper, was mine!