Two members of York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) were honoured at the 47th Annual GOG Awards, held on December 3rd.
Professor Marissa Largo, a faculty member in the Visual Art and Art History department, and AMPD alumna Melissa Bennett were recognized for their significant contributions to the Canadian visual arts scene.
Marissa Largo, Winner of Exhibition of the Year (budget Under $20,000) Monographic
Professor Largo’s exhibition, Sila / Siya / Ako, received the Exhibition of the Year (budget under $20,000) Monographic award. Curated by Largo and featuring the work of Toronto-based Filipinx artist Julius Poncelet Manapul at A Space Gallery, this exhibition explored the intersections of race, gender, and colonial histories within the Filipinx diaspora by transforming the gallery into a church-meets-early Y2K gay dance club.
For further details about the exhibition, click here.
Melissa Bennett, Winner of Exhibition of the Year (budget over $50,000), Major Curatorial Writing, and Art Publication
Melissa Bennett (MA Art History, '07) received three recognitions at the GOG Awards. As part of the curatorial team for Shelley Niro: 500 Year Itch, she contributed to the exhibit receiving the Exhibition of the Year award (budget over $50,000). The exhibit highlighted Niro’s exploration of cultural identity and colonial history, celebrating the powerful work of the Indigenous artist.
The Major Curatorial Writing award was awarded to Bennett for her essay It Starts with a Whisper, which examined the significance of Niro’s work in the broader context of Indigenous art and cultural resilience. In addition, she received the Art Publication Award for her contribution to the book Shelley Niro: 500 Year Itch.
Congratulations to Professor Largo and Melissa for these remarkable achievements and recognition!
About The 2024 GOG Awards
The Galeries Ontario Galleries Awards celebrate the outstanding achievement, artistic merit, and excellence of arts institutions and professionals in the public art gallery sector. For more details, visit the GOG website.