About
Donna White’s 2008 public billboard project, Prevailing Past, was listed as one of Calgary’s top twelve art exhibitions in that year by Calgary Herald Art Critic, Nancy Tousley. Before this project, White completed her first public billboard project in 2006 marking the incorporation of photographic processes into her sculpture while completing her MFA at the University of Saskatchewan.
White received her BFA (with Distinction) in Interdisciplinary Studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD). Concurrent to completing her BFA, White also apprenticed in the furniture shop of John Morel gaining a broad knowledge of fine woodworking techniques that she applied to her sculpture.
Between periods of art study, White has worked as a director/curator in both artist-run centres and public art galleries within Alberta. In 2001, White was publicly acknowledged for reversing the financial problems of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie by the Alberta Government-appointed auditor.
In 2009, White returned to ACAD (now known as the Alberta University of the Arts), working in the Extended Studies department as well as teaching sculpture in the degree program and paper sculpture and sculpture courses in the continuing education program.
Education
2006 | Master of Fine Arts (Sculpture & Photography)
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
2003 | Bachelor of Fine Arts, with Distinction
Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB
1995 | Diploma of Art, with Distinction
Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB
Exhibition History
Solo
Feb - April 2011 | Cyborg Collars
Ledge Gallery, Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, Calgary, AB
2008 | Prevailing Past
Stride Gallery, plus three offsite locations in downtown Calgary, AB
2006 | The Cyborg Project
Gordon Snelgrove Gallery and two offsite locations in downtown Saskatoon, SK
2004 | Deadly Sins
Prairie Art Gallery, Grande Prairie, AB
2000 | biography
Black Box, Grande Prairie Regional College, Grande Prairie, AB
1998 | biography
Truck Gallery, Calgary, AB
Two-Person
2006 | Beautiful as Well as Brutal
Artist by Artist Program Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
Group
2014 | Made in Calgary: the 2000’s
Glenbow Museum, Calgary, AB
2013 | The News From Here
2013 Alberta Biennial of Art, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
2012 | Summer Group Show
Jarvis Hall Fine Art, Calgary, AB
2011 | Role
Goup show celebrating Stride's 25th Anniversary
Stride Gallery, Calgary, AB
2005 | …Of One’s Own
Prairie Art Gallery, Grande Prairie, AB
2005 | Illumination
Prairie Art Gallery, Grande Prairie, AB
2004 I Intimate Violence
Off site space, Grande Prairie, AB
1999 | Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Selections from the Collection
Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary, AB
Publications
Made in Calgary, An Exploration of Art from the 1960s to the 2000s
2016 | R. Moppett, J. Spalding, N. Tousley, K . Ylitalo,
Published by the Glenbow Museum, pp. 276, 353, 372.
The News From Here 2013 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art
2013 | N. Tousley.
Published by the Art Gallery of Alberta, pp. 78, 79, 89.
Selected Reviews & Articles
Ylitalo, Katherine. “The News from Here: The 2013 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art.” Galleries West Magazine, 2013 Spring/Summer issue and online.
Matejko, Agnieszka. “The Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art.” Vue Magazine, January 30, 2013, issue 902, and online
Tousley, Nancy. “Calgary’s top 12 art exhibitions of 2008.” Calgary Herald, January 4, 2009. Books and the Arts section, page D5
Tousley, Nancy. “Artist takes lid off iconic Calgary image.” Calgary Herald, July 13, 2008. Entertainment section, pages E1 and E6.
Bader, Edward. “Breaking the Mould.” Alberta Views Magazine, Nov. 2007. Pages 10-11.
Henderson, Lee. “Bart Gazzola and Donna White: Beautiful as Well as Brutal.” Sept. 24, 2006.
Tousley, Nancy. “Installation symbolizes stages of women’s life.” Calgary Herald, March 7, 1998. Entertainment section, page E14.
Laviolette, Mary-Beth. “Fine Young Artists.” Avenue Magazine, Sept. 1995. Pages 21–22.
Grants & Awards
University of Saskatchewan Fellowships
Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grants
Alberta Foundation for the Arts Collection Purchase
Collections
University of Saskatchewan
The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Commitee & Volunteer Work
2008 - 2011 | Trainer
Board Development Program Alberta Culture and Community Spirit
2008 | Jury Member
City of Calgary Public Art Program
Arts Related Employment
2012 - 2014 | Sessional Sculpture Instructor
Degree Program, Alberta College of Art + Design
Calgary, AB
2009 - 2017 | Operations Specialist
Extended Studies, Alberta College of Art + Design
Calgary, AB
1997 - 2000 | Gallery Director/Curator
Prairie Art Gallery (now the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie)
Grande Prairie, AB
1995–6 | Gallery Director/Curator
Stride Gallery
Calgary, AB