The art of dentistry: annual exhibit showcases the talent of the Faculty’s community
By Rachel Boutet
Dentistry is a creative profession, so it’s no surprise the Faculty’s 150th Open House Art Exhibit was full of beautiful paintings and photographs from members of the Dentistry community.
Organized by the Art Committee and held in the Nusbaum Family Collaboration Space on the fourth floor, this year’s exhibit was a great success with over a dozen submissions, many of which were sold. One lucky winner received an AGO membership for their participation. Proceeds of the art exhibit went back to the artists who submitted pieces and as well as to the Art Committee.
“This year’s submissions were a remarkable even split of contributions from our faculty, staff, DDS and graduate students,” says professor Morris Manolson, vice-dean of research, who has been the Chair of the Art Committee since 2019. “I don’t think there is a single category not represented on the walls of the fourth floor right now. We were also fortunate to have submissions from family members of our community.”
Manolson refers to the three stunning pieces of artwork by Aurnob, son of Naila Armeen who works in the reception of the Faculty’s radiology clinic.
“My son is 21 years old and has autism – he has loved to paint and draw from a very young age,” says Armeen. “He attends an autism awareness centre for their art program and they received a fund for taking people with special needs for their project. He was selected and made a lot of art over the year.”
Armeen says the artwork makes her son happy and calm for hours at a time.
“We have a lot of art at home so when I saw the email from Dr. Manolson, I was thrilled to reply saying my son had paintings to include – he will be so happy and proud to see his pictures on the wall.”
This year’s exhibit was part of the Faculty’s 150th Open House and allowed for a look back at the history of the Art Committee.
“It’s been around a long time – I joined in the early 2000s and I suspect it goes back decades,” says James Fiege, associate director of clinical operations. “The Art Committee was involved with group of donors who commissioned the Carmen Cereceda Earth Mother Mural in our lobby in the 1978 under Dean Ten Cate’s Leadership. Now, we are fortunate to have a permanent space for art year-round thanks to a generous donation from Dr. Manolson used to purchase special moveable display hangers.”
(The Faculty’s Art Show in 1978 in celebration of the mural - Dean Ten Cate in the background)
(Cereceda Earth Mother Mural in the lobby of 124 Edward St.)
As U of T Dentistry celebrates 150 years, Manolson says he looks forward to what the next 150 years has in store, both for the Faculty and for more creative avenues like the Art Committee’s work.
“We have so many people in our Faculty passionate about art, and when we do organize a show, it is always a blast!” he says. “It is just amazing to see all the talent that comes out of our Faculty, showing where faculty, staff and students truly all come together for one amazing event.”
Photos taken by Jeff Comber