Affiliate Artist Program

In 1980, Guillermo Silva-Marin was selected by the John Deere company and the Grimsby Art Gallery to become Canada’s first Affiliate Artist. The objective of this jointly sponsored venture was twofold: to raise the awareness of the arts in general in the Grimsby area, and more specifically to promote attendance at the Grimsby Art Gallery. During his residency, Mr. Silva-Marin performed and spoke at a wide variety of venues including schools and community centres as well as at the Grimsby Art Gallery itself. For many audience members, this was their first access and exposure to opera. As anticipated, this new or renewed interest in opera generated by Mr. Silva-Marin’s appearances led to an interest in visual art and a successful audience development at the Gallery. Attendance and membership at the Grimsby Art Gallery increased significantly. Eight weeks of the year were carefully selected to maximaize the impact of Guillermo's visits to the Niagara Peninisula region. He was paired with pianist Naomi Oliphant and a varied vocal presentation was selected that would best represent Mr. Silva-Marin's comunicative and ambassadorial talent. The experience was to have great resonance in his artistic development and provide him with valuable insights regarding the creative and administrative process that was to served him well as general director to various organizations in Ontario.

As a result of this initial success, Guillermo Silva-Marin was subsequently sponsored as an Affiliate Artist in a similar programme with a residency in Imperial Valley, California.