Alan is a painter and a printmaker, concentrating on pastels and charcoal on paper, limited edition books, with his own illustrations in wood engraving or stone lithography.

Descriptive Resume

Born in Toronto 1951

As a high school student Alan studied life drawing under Canadian artist, Burrell Swartz, at the Ottawa School of Art 1969. Burrell had studied at Central School of Art London and the Slade. He was contemporaries with Lucian Freud, and was selected for the exhibition ‘Young Contemporaries’, on the jury were Francis Bacon, Henry Moore and John Piper.

Alan enrolled in Fine Art at Humber College, 1970-73 studying life drawing and printmaking under George Hawken and mono-printing workshops with Louis DeNiverville, and stained glass with Steven Taylor. While in second year he was included in “Editions 1” a national juried printmaking competition sponsored by Ontario Arts Council. After graduating Alan was represented by Le Cadre Gallery King Street, Toronto. While at Humber College he also studied life drawing at the Toronto New School of Art, with Robert Markle, Gordon Rayner and William Ronald, and others from the Spadina art scene in the 1970’s. After art school he apprenticed with Taylor working on stained glass windows by Yvonne Williams and Rosemary Kilbourne.

In 1976 Alan received an Ontario Arts Council grant to study at Burleighfield School, England a private school run by Patrick Reyntiens OBE and his wife, British painter Anne Bruce. During this time Patrick was also head of Fine Arts at Central School of Art in London. During his career Patrick worked extensively with John Piper on many notable stained glass windows in England including, Coventry Cathedral and Liverpool Cathedral. Alan also attended weekly life-drawing classes with Cecil Collins (Tate Modern) at Central School of Art.

After returning to Canada Alan operated his own stained glass studio in Toronto. Selected commissions include St. Timothy’s Anglican Church Toronto, George Brown House, Beverly St. Toronto, Veterans Memorial Sunnybrook Hospital Chapel, MacFarlane office tower lobby Calgary, Carnegie Library Grimsby, Ontario.

While living in the Niagara peninsula Alan worked with Bill Poole as he established the Grimsby Public Art Gallery helping to hang exhibits, as a volunteer and then an exhibitor at the annual letterpress gathering ‘Wayzgoose’. When Alan decided to return to his printmaking roots and take up letterpress printing and wood engraving, he was mentored by Bill Poole.

In 1988 Alan moved to Parry Sound with his wife, Charlotte, where they established the independent book shop Parry Sound Books, and the Church Street Press, Alan’s painting studio and private press. Here he has designed, and hand printed limited edition books with poets, Douglas LePan, Al Purdy, PK Page, Gary Dault, and Michael Crummey, each book contains Alan’s wood engravings. After purchasing a cottage on a Georgian Bay island north of Parry Sound, Alan began painting landscapes. During this time, he became an elected member of OSA, CSPWC, SCA, and the RCA. Alan has exhibited his paintings and prints in public galleries and is represented by Roberts Gallery, Toronto and Christina Parker Gallery, St. John’s.

While living in Parry Sound Alan became involved In the Festival of the Sound, as a board member and then president, chairing the Building Committee of the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts. He has collaborated with Director James Campbell on many “Painted Sound” presentations of visual art and live performance classical music.

After having won several prizes for book design in Canada from the Alcuin Society, Alan went to the Leipzig Book Fair, where one of his books was part of the exhibit representing Canada in the International Exhibition ‘Stifung Buchkunst’. While in Germany he visited with type designer Herman Zapf. A visit in Berlin with the Canadian cultural attaché, was followed by an invitation from Canadian Embassy in Prague, to attend an international artists symposium, in Vseradice Czech Republic.

With his wife, Charlotte, Alan has travelled extensively in Europe sketching on-site and creating several exhibitions of cityscapes shown at the Roberts Gallery over the past 25 years.

Alan has exhibited his hand printed books and wood engravings at book fairs including the annual Wayzgoose, Grimsby Public Art Gallery, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library Small Press Book Fair and at Oak Knoll in Newcastle, Delaware, US. His books have been included in every major book arts exhibition in Canada, and are collected by private, provincial and national libraries.

Alan’s wood engravings from “Home Country” his third book with Al Purdy, were used as part of the narrative in the Canadian film “Al Purdy Was Here” by Brian Johnson, launched at TIFF 2014.

Archives of the Church Street Press including ephemera connected with the printing of books, letters and wood engraving blocks, and documents covering Alan’s life as an exhibiting professional artist are at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto at the invitation of Richard Landon.

Several visits to Newfoundland began in 1999, while working with Al Purdy on his book “Home Country”.  Working with Michael Crummy on the book “Viewfinder” in 2014 led to an exhibit at the English Harbour Arts Centre in 2017.

Alan and Charlotte bought a house in the harbour of Old Bonaventure, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland in 2015. Alan has established a studio there and is presently working with Des Walsh on a hand printed and illustrated book of his poems set in the Trinity Bight area. “We Are The Songs Of Weather” will be launched at an exhibit of wood engravings and related artwork at the English Harbour Arts Centre and at Writers at Woody Point Authors Festival in the summer of 2022.

In 2017 Alan was invited to be an on-board artist on an Adventure Canada expedition to Greenland and Labrador, this was an inspirational trip, resulting in a deeper understanding, and a larger commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador inspired artwork. On-site sketching every day led to a larger body of works which have been exhibited in public galleries.

Dividing his time between Parry Sound and Old Bonaventure, Alan continues to find home, and inspiration, in the landscape of both Georgian Bay and Newfoundland.

Education

1970-74         Fine Arts, Humber College, New School of Art, Toronto.                     
1976               Burleighfield School Great Britain, studied with Patrick Reyntiens OBE, head of Central School                          of Art, London.

Studio Experience

1977-87         Personal glass studio, Toronto                                                                               
1984-87         Head designer The Glass Studio                                                              
1987               Established The Church Street Press, painting studio, Parry Sound

Teaching

1973-85         Humber College, Sheridan College, Toronto Board of Education      Ontario College of Art

Grants

1993               Reflections Grant, Ont. Ministry of Culture and Communication       
1976               Ontario Arts Council; study grant
1993               Individual visual arts grant
1999               OAC Fine Crafts grant
1994, 2001, 2005, 2018, 2021    OAC Exhibition assistance grants, 
2001               OAC Special Project grant, “Ink Paper Lead…” 
2006               Canada Council: Travel Grant, Leipzig, Germany 

2015               Exhibition assistance grant

2016               OAC, Northern Arts grant

Upcoming Exhibitions

 Songs of Weather, November 11 2021, solo exhibition Roberts Gallery Toronto                                                          

“Strength in Numbers, the CanLit Community” Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, U of T. January - May 2020, exhibition and catalogue by John Shoesmith and Natalya Rattan

Stockholm Independent Artists Fair, RCA 27 members book works at the April 2021

“We Are The Songs of Weather” paintings, charcoals, sketches, and book launch of the new hand printed, limited edition book of poems by Des Walsh. Summer 2022, English Harbour Arts Centre, NL.

Solo Exhibitions 

2022 We Are The Songs of Weather, exhibition and book launch, English Harbour Arts Centre, NL

Writers at Woody Point Authors Festival, NL

2022 Songs of Weather, Newfoundland - Georgian Bay Roberts Gallery

2019 Greenland - Labrador, solo exhibit, Roberts Gallery Toronto

2018 "Greenland and Labrador Sketches", series of 36 on-site sketches Arts&Letters Club

2017              Viewfinder, the making of a hand printed book, English Harbour Arts Centre, NL.

2017 Rooftops Spain and Portugal, Newfoundland Georgian Bay, Roberts Gallery,

2016              Recent Travels In Italy, Masters Gallery, Calgary Alberta

2016              Newfoundland, Prairies, Georgian Bay, Roberts Gallery, Toronto

2015              Harbours, Christina Parker Gallery St. John's NL

2015              Viewfinder, the making of a hand printed book, Grimsby Public Art Gallery

2014             Viewfinder, the making of a hand printed book, and launch, Arts & Letters Club Toronto

2013              On the Road in Italy, Revisiting New York City, The Scottish Highlands, Roberts Gallery

2012              Cityscapes, Masters Gallery, Calgary

2011               Quiet Snow, Amsterdam Canals   Roberts Gallery Toronto
2011               Reefs:Water:Rocks                 Bohemia, Barrie, Ontario
2010               Alan Stein                             The Lodge on Amherst Island

2009               Georgian Bay, Petrushka, Further Explorations, Roberts Gallery,

2007               Venice – Georgian Bay         Roberts Gallery, Toronto                 

2007               Place, Reflections on Venice and Georgian Bay  StationGallery, Parry Sound                

2005               Into the Night                         Roberts Gallery, Toronto

2004               In Town – On the Bay            Station Gallery, Parry Sound

2003               New Work pastels on paper           Roberts Gallery, Toronto

2001               Paris Day & Night                            Roberts Gallery, Toronto

2000-01         Home Country, Parry Sound Museum, Latcham Gallery, 

1997-98         In Mexico, Toronto Reference Library, Carnegie Gallery, Dundas Grimsby Public Art Gallery

1995               Inner Islands-Outer Islands WKP Kennedy Gallery, North Bay 

Group Exhibitions

2022-23 Breath Heart Spirit, OSA 150th anniversary exhibition, Lieutenant Governor’s Suite Government

of Ontario

2019 -22 Summer exhibition Christina Parker Gallery, St John’s

2018 "The Arts & Letters Club", a curated group exhibition, Heather Haynes Gallery, Gananoque

2017              Revisiting The Rural, Christina Parker Gallery July 13 - August 31

2016              Uncovering Artists Books, Grimsby Public Art Gallery, travelling exhibit

2015              Gallery Beaux Arts des Ameriques, Montreal, RCA new members exhibition

2015              Christina Parker Gallery, St. John's Newfoundland 3 person summer exhibition

2015              30th Anniversary exhibition Aird Gallery

2014              Festival of Seven, Art Gallery of Sudbury, Tom Smart curator

2013              A Death Greatly Exaggerated, Canada's Thriving Small and Fine Press, Thomas Fisher Rare

                        Book Library, University of Toronto

2013              Lost Voices, live performance projections, Festival of the Sound, Parry Sound

2013              Continuum Contemporary OSA, Aurora Cultural Centre

2012              140th Anniversary OSA Aurora Cultural Centre

2011               Art Gallery of Windsor, Ont. BookFest  2010,           
2011               OSA annual open exhibition, Juror
2000-15         Annual Sketches exhibition,               Roberts Gallery           
2010               Beyond Words                                  Carnegie Gallery Dundas

2010               Breadth 2010, Arts & Letters Club members Roberts Gallery, 
2010               85th Anniversary of CSPWC  Arts & Letters Club, curated B. Mitchell

2010               Sense of Place                    G7 Summit Centre Huntsville Ont.

2010               Scandanavian Suite, live performance projections - Festival of the Sound                      
2009               Poetry Broadsides, TD Gallery, Toronto Reference Library 

2009               Petrushka, live performance projections Festival of the Sound

2009              Alcuin Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada, Juror

National & International

Venues & Touring

2018 'On Spirit Lake", book launch, Arts & Letters Club, Toronto fall 2018

2017 Images At Nightfall, exhibition of paintings and live performance projections, inspired by music and poetry of Srul Irving Glick in conjunction with the Festival of the Sound, Parry Sound, Ontario.

2016               Al Purdy Was Here, documentary film by Brian Johnson, featuring wood engravings from                                  'Home Country' launch TIFF, showing across Canada and international Film Festivals.

2009               Ex Libris                                MacLaren Art Gallery, Barrie          
2008               100 Years of Art at the Arts & Letters Club Varley Art Gallery,

2008-09         Art of the Book ‘08    National touring exhibition

2008               Vseradice International Artists Symposium, Czech Republic  

2006               Stifung Buchkunst               Frankfurt, Leipzig, Germany   

2005-10         Impressions of Massasauga Park, C.W. Stockey Centre, Parry Sound                               

2005               Beyond the Book                              Grimsby Public Art Gallery

2004-05         Alcuin Society, Exhibition of Excellence in Book Design in    Canada Emily Carr Institute of                                 Design. WAC Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University, Redpath Library, McGill. University of                               Alberta. Design Exchange, Toronto. Memorial Library. Acadia University. Third Prize 

 2003-04         Art of the Book ’03 York Quay Gallery, Harbourfront Organized    by CBBAG, National touring                           exhibit,     Juror

2002-10         Painted Sound                                  Charles W. Stockey Centre

2002-03         Ink Paper Lead, Board Leather Thread    Touring exhibition Canada Trust Gallery, Toronto                                  Reference Library, W.D. Jordan Special Collections Library, Queens University Kingston. Gallery                        Stratford, Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, Guelph

2001-05         Drawing                                             John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto                    

2001               The Eye and The Hand                   Etobicoke Civic Art Gallery First Prize

2001-02         Alcuin Society, Exhibition of Excellence in Book Design in Canada Vancouver Craft Museum,                            Acadia University, Emily Carr Institute of Design, Redpath Library, McGill     First prize   

2001               The Book an Evolution in Meaning.  Art Gallery of Nova Scotia                      
2000-02         SCA Open Juried Exhibition          John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
2001               The Library Project                          University of Manitoba , Touring
2000               A Brush With History, 75th Anniversary Exhibit CSPWC Art Gallery of Mississauga
2000               Arts 2000, RCA juried exhibit,       Gallery Stratford                               
1999               If you go down in the woods today… Works by members of the North American Wood                                         Engravers NetworkLine Gallery, Scotland                    
1998               Artist Members Exhibition of Contemporary Bookworks Centre for Book Arts, NYC. Connecticut                        University, USA
1998-99         Art of the Book ’98  National touring exhibit Organized by CBBAG,     Fine Printing                                              Award
1995-97         Fine Printing: the Private Press in Canada National touring exhibit, opening Thomas Fischer                              Rare Book Library
1993-05         Open Water annual CSPWC         John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto (juried)

Selected Collections

National Library of Canada, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Massey College and Victoria Library, University of Toronto; Toronto Reference Library; McGill Univ. Library Rare Book Collection. Redpath Collection, Montreal; MacKimmie Library, Univ. of Calgary; Bruce Peel Special Collections Library, Univ. of Alberta; Libraries at UBC; Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University, B.C., Grimsby Public Art Gallery. Government of Ontario Art Collection. Four Seasons Hotels, Irving Oil Inc. Queens University Libraries

USA:   New York City Public Library, Rare Book Dept.; Wellesley College Library, NY. 

International: British Library, National Library of Ireland; National Library of New Zealand, Book and Type Museum, Leipzig. National Library of Germany. Vseradice, Czech Republic. Meermanno Museum, The Hague, Netherlands

Publications

“The Poet And The Painter”, documentary film 16 minutes, by Barbara Doran director

Catalogue, “Strength In Numbers” Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

Winter issue 127 Georgian Bay Today, “Art Collection issue”

Summer Issue of Parry Sound Life. Artist profile by Patti Vipond 2019

Summer issue of Georgian Bay Today, On Spirit Lake, ‘Process, prints, poetry, prose’, by Tom Smart. 2019

Book Arts Canada, artist profile by Tom Smart. 2019

Uncovering Artist’s Books, Grimsby Public Art Gallery. 2019

Exploring New Landscapes For Inspiration, Sideroads & Shorelines, Charlotte Stein 2017

Sideroads of Parry Sound, 'Al Purdy Was Here', Charlotte Stein. March 2016

Sideroads of Parry Sound, 'New Life for Old Art', Patti Vipond. March 2015

Georgian Bay Today, 'Memory and Reality' Peter Wood. Winter/Spring 2015

Amphora #168, Of Poetry Engravings and Books, by Tom Smart        Fall     2014

Sideroads of Parry Sound, New Life For an Old Art, by Patti Vipond,     March 2015

Georgian Bay Today,  Memory and Reality, by Peter Wood,              winter    2014-15

DA #74,  How to illustrate a poem, by Lisa Moore,  Now I'm one of the Old Guys,                         by Alan Stein, checklist of published works                                                         2014

 Lori Steiner,  Arabella, Canadian Art, Architecture, Design magazine Fall       2011

Gryski, Chester         Wayzgoose, Amphora, Alcuin Society     #155 July        2010

Smart, Thomas         Dreaming of Dorsets, Saint John Telegraph Journal         2010

Stein, Alan                Amphora #147, “Alphabet Stories” Herman Zapf             2007

Fraser, Lynn             Canadian Bookseller magazine                                           2006

Arseneau, Laura      Beyond the Book                                                                  2005   

Dault, Gary Michael, Globe & Mail ‘At the Galleries’ review                               2003

Donelly, Judy                       Devils Artisan #52                                                  2003

Ink Paper Lead, Board Leather Thread, catalogue Coach House Press            2002

Lichen, Spring                                                                                                        2001

Govier, Katherine,    Devil’s Artisan                                                                     2001

Purdy, Al. “The 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay”. Imperial Oil Review            1999

Queens Quarterly, volume 103, #2                                                                     1999

Represented By

 Roberts Gallery Toronto, www.robertsgallery.net

Masters Gallery, Calgary, 

Christina Parker Gallery, St John's