Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.10.2006, Page 3

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Gail Einarson-McCleery
TORONTO, ON — “Inner
Light,” Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir’s
latest show, opened in Toronto
on Thursday, September 21 and
ran until October 14. Present to
declare the show open was Ice-
land’s Ambassador to Canada
Markús Örn Antonsson.
The works are being shown
by her gallerist, Odon Wagner,
who has opened a charming new
gallery, full of light, called Odon
Wagner Contemporary Gallery
on Davenport Road in Toronto.
The works varied in size, mate-
rial and construction, including
life-sized figures. Especially
popular was one of her works
seated on a bench outside the
gallery — several people took
the opportunity to sit down be-
side him.
Inside, we were treated to
many of her creations, ably cu-
rated by Laura Peturson (herself
of Icelandic descent). Upstairs
we could view a video created by
Steinunn’s husband Jón, which
featured most of her work, in-
cluding those in situe all around
the world.
Odon said, “Steinunn’s fig-
ures do not need any introduc-
tion. Their noble, simplified
faces invite the viewer to see
well past the fleeting outer ap-
pearances of the human being
and they themselves ‘introduce’
the viewer deep into the mystical
spheres of inner spirituality.”
Steinunn was born, lives and
works in Reykjavík. She studied
sculpture in England from 1974
to 1979 and in Italy from 1979
to 1980. She has been working
professionally for over 20 years
and has exhibited widely in Ja-
pan, USA and Australia. Her
works are in private, public and
corporate collections in many
countries. She has been com-
missioned to make site-specific
sculptures for a variety of lo-
cations and has participated in
international festivals such as
‘Sculpture by the Sea’ in Syd-
ney, Australia.
The large crowd of art lov-
ers, including Icelanders, en-
joyed the opening and a taste of
that Icelandic-Canadian treat,
vínarterta.
The beautiful catalogue spe-
cially prepared for the exhibition
can be viewed at www.odonwag-
nergallery.com. Odon Wagner
Contemporary is located at 172
Davenport Road in Toronto.
Lögberg-Heimskringla • 15. október 2006 • 3
Steinunn a smash in Toronto
REYKJAVÍK — Almar Grímsson, President of the Icelandic National League of Iceland, and
Guðríður Sigurðardóttir, Director of the Cultural House of Iceland, signed an agreement to improve co-
operation between the INL - Iceland and the Cultural House in efforts to promote education and aware-
ness of the culture of Icelandic settlers in Northern America.
A similar agreement already exists between the INL and the Vesturfararsetur, The Icelandic Emi-
gration Centre in Hofsós. Valgeir Þorvaldsson, Director of the Vesturfararsetur, was present during the
signing of the agreement.
The Annual Meeting of the INL of Iceland will be held at the Cultural House on October 19. Check
www.inl.is for further information.
The Icelandic National League
of North America
2007 CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE
CONTACT THE INL OF N/A OFFICE
103-94 First Avenue
Gimli, MB R0C 1B1
204-642-5897 or inl@mts.net
OR AN INL CHAPTER/SOCIETY NEAREST TO YOU
Only $10
plus shipping and handling
(Call for 204-642-5897 for shipping costs)
View a sample at http://www.inlofna.org
ARBORG PHARMACY
Store Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun. noon - 4 p.m.Pharmacist: V. T. Eyolfson
Box 640, Arborg, MB R0C 0A0
Ph: 204-376-5153
SHARED WISDOM • SHARED COMMITMENT • SHARED VALUES
Warmest greetings to the publishers of Logberg
Heimskringla on its 120 years of continuous
publication. I applaud this newspaper’s
longevity and its mission to report news by, and
about, people of Icelandic ancestry.
Even with today’s technology, and the
popularity of e-mail and the Internet,
newspapers are still highly valued as a trusted
source of information. Since 1886, Logberg
Heimskringla has been there for the community,
covering local events and providing interesting,
relevant reports to its readers.
With a 100 per cent literacy rate in their
homeland, Icelanders are well-known for their
love of reading. Clearly, Manitoba’s Icelandic
community continues to embrace this proud
tradition with its long-standing support of
Logberg Heimskringla. As Canada’s oldest ethnic
publication, this newspaper is an important part
of Manitoba’s rich multicultural landscape. I
thank the Icelandic community for its strong
presence in our province and its ongoing
contributions to all aspects of our society.
Best wishes to Logberg Heimskringla for many
more years of good reading.
Nancy Allan
Minister responsible
for Multiculturalism
Congratulations
Icelandic pianist Ragnheiður
Gröndal will be touring parts of
western Canada this month.
Having studied classical pi-
ano at a young age, she became
one of the top-selling artists in
Iceland when she was 18 years
old. Now 22, she has already re-
leased four albums, one of which
went platinum in Iceland.
Ragnheiður, or “Ragga,” has
led her own bands and toured
across Iceland and Europe. She
also plays piano and accompa-
nies her own singing. Her rep-
ertoire includes folk, pop, rock,
jazz, country and blues.
Among her stops in Canada
are dates in Winnipeg, Riverton
and Vancouver.
For more information, see
the Calendar of Events.
Icelandic pianist
to perform
in Canada
Ragnheiður Gröndal
PHOTO COURTESY OF KENT LÁRUS BJÖRNSSON
From left: Almar Grímsson, Valgeir Þorvaldsson and Guðríður Sigurðardóttir.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GAIL EINARSON-MCCLEERY
From left: Gail Einarson-McCleery, Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir,
Steinunn’s son Þórður, Ambassador Markús Örn Antonsson
and gallerist Odon Wagner at the exhibition opening.
Gunnur Isfeld
WINNIPEG, MB — The
Jón Sigurdsson Chapter IODE
Fall Luncheon Bridge and Whist
event on September 30 was very
successful and members would
like to thank all those who at-
tended and helped us make this
event so successful and enjoy-
able.
The following people won
prizes for high scores in bridge
and whist.
Bridge: 1. Gunnþóra Gís-
ladóttir, 2. Mavis Campbell, 3.
Marilyn MacKay, 4. Jennie Re-
stall, 5 Joan Taylor, 6. Pat Hock-
ley, 7. Lu Olafson, 8. Carolyn
Adair, 9. Linda Malcomlmson.
Whist: 1. Gwen Storey, 2.
Eleanor Clapham, 3. Yvonne
Tonnellier, 4. Joan Swainson, 5.
Amber Wark, 6. Frances Selver.
IODE bridge and whist
INL-Iceland, Cultural House sign agreement