L.M. Montgomery Research Group

I’ve received e-mail notifications of the following exhibit, conference, and play series:

From Irene Gammel: A notification that the “Reflecting on Anne of Green Gables” exhibit, co-curated by June Creelman and Irene Gammel, opened on 4 June 2008 at Library and Archives Canada (395 Wellington St., Ottawa) and will be available until 1 March 2009. More details are available on LAC’s webpage devoted to the exhibit and in a Reuters article covering the exhibit.

From Eric Bungay: The preliminary program for “From Canada to the World: The Cultural Influence of Lucy Maud Montgomery,” which will take place in October 2008 at the University of Guelph, has been posted. Registration information should be made available within ten days.

From Sally Cole: The L.M. Montgomery Theatre has opened up in Cavendish, PE, for a series of shows staged in a former church where Montgomery worshiped, part of the Avonlea Village outside the outskirts of the town. The theatre is staging plays popular in the year Anne of Green Gables was published, with The Wind in the Willows scheduled to open the season. An article has been published in today’s Guardian.

I will be interviewed by Line Boily on her radio show Les arts et les autres on Monday, 2 June 2008, at 1:05 EST, on Radio-Canada 1 (French-language CBC). The topic is Anne of Green Gables and I will be commenting on its origins, its continued international popularity in the centenary year, and its success in adaptations such as movies, musicals, and tourist sites in Ontario and Prince Edward Island. Since I am presently in Vancouver attending Congress, I will be speaking to her from Studio C at CBC Vancouver.

Les arts et les autres is broadcast across Ontario; to find your local frequency, click here. You can also listen to it live through the Radio-Canada website. On the homepage for Ontario, click on “Écoutez en direct—Première chaine” and choose your nearest location.

Also, today I am participating at a one-day symposium on Anne of Green Gables at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia. In addition to co-chairing an ACCUTE panel on “Anne of Green Gables: New Directions at 100,” I will be one of seven participants in a roundtable called “Anne of Green Gables: A Literary Icon at 100: Canadian Scholars and Critics Reflect on Anne of Green Gables in the Centenary Year,” chaired by Irene Gammel:

This round table of leading Canadian critics and scholars takes stock of Canada’s most famous literary icon, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, at its centenary anniversary. What is behind the popularity of the novel? What is its global value and status? What is its future in Canada and the world? We also invite the public to submit questions to our panel of experts via email: Anne100@mlc.ryerson.ca.

My five-minute paper is titled “Confessions of a Male Montgomery Scholar” and will include a discussion of my Green Gables toenail clippers. I am also presenting a paper as part of the ACCUTE conference on the fiction of Joy Kogawa.

Je serai l’invité de Line Boily à l’émission de radio Les arts et les autres ce lundi, 2 juin 2008, à 13h05 (heure normale de l’est), à Radio-Canada (première chaine). L’entrevue porte sur le roman Anne… La Maison aux pignons verts : ses origines, sa popularité internationale continue pendant l’année de son centième anniversaire, et son succès dans les médias connexes, telles que le petit écran, la comédie musicale, et le site touristique en Ontario et à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Étant donné que je suis présentement à Vancouver pour assister au Congrès des sciences humaines, je lui parlerai du Studio C à Radio-Canada Vancouver.

L’émission est diffusée à travers l’Ontario; vous trouverez votre fréquence locale ici. Vous pouvez également écouter à l’émission au site web de Radio-Canada. Une fois rendus à la page pour l’Ontario, choisissez la rubrique « Écoutez en direct » ainsi que votre région.

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008
Lillooet Room (Exhibit) & Dobson Room (Symposium)
Irving Barber Learning Center
University of British Columbia Library

Organized by
Ryerson University’s Modern Literature & Culture Research Center
With the Support of the Social Sciences and Research Council of Canada and the International Canadian Studies Centre at UBC

These May 31 events mark the opening of the exhibition Anne of Green Gables: A Literary Icon at 100, May 31 to June 8, 2008. The exhibit takes place in the Historic Lillooet Room, Irving Barber Learning Center; the exhibit symposium takes place in the adjoining Dobson Room. Both the Exhibit and the exhibit symposium are open to the public.

Exhibit Symposium Program

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, DOBSON ROOM
Anne of Green Gables: A Literary Icon at 100: Leading and Emerging Scholars Reflect on Anne of Green Gables in the Centenary Year / Chair: Irene Gammel

This round table of scholars is dedicated to taking stock of Canada’s most famous literary icon at its centenary anniversary, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. What is behind the popularity of the novel? What is its current global value and status? What is its future in Canada and the world? Each speaker, a recognized or emerging scholar, has five minutes to make a brief statement, which can be personal and scholarly, before we open to general discussion and audience question and answer.

Participants include:

• Deirdre Baker, University of Toronto
• Dr. Cecily Devereux, University of Alberta
• Dr. Janice Fiamengo, University of Ottawa
• Dr. Irene Gammel, Ryerson University
• Dr. Carole Gerson, Simon Fraser University
• Dr. Benjamin Lefebvre, University of Alberta, L. M. Montgomery Research Group
• Dr. Mavis Reimer, Canada Research Chair in the Culture of Childhood, University of Winnipeg
• Dr. Margaret Steffler, Trent University, L. M. Montgomery Society of Ontario.

12:15 AM – 1:00 AM, DOBSON ROOM
Looking for Anne; Exhibit Opening and Booksigning: With Curator and Author Irene Gammel

The exhibit opening talk in Dobson Room is followed by an exhibit tour and book signing by Irene Gammel in Lillooet Room. Irene Gammel’s book Looking for Anne: How Lucy Maud Montgomery Dreamed Up a Literary Classic (Key Porter) accompanies the exhibit as the catalogue. Refreshments will be served.

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Guided Tours of the Exhibit in Lillooet

4:00 4:30 PM Anne of Green Gables: New Directions
A Workshop Co-hosted with the University of Toronto Press

A workshop for contributors to the collection of essays edited by Irene Gammel and tentatively titled Anne of Green Gables: New Directions (papers due August 15). Informal question and answer format.

4:45 PM – 6:00 PM, DOBSON ROOM
Anne of Green Gables: New Directions at 100
ACCUTE: Association for Canadian College and University Teachers of English
Organizers/Chairs: Irene Gammel and Benjamin Lefebvre

Alexander MacLeod (Saint Mary’s), “On the Road from Bright River: Shifting Social Space in Anne of Green Gables”

Jason Nolan (Ryerson) “Anne of the Undead: Changeling Child and the Uncanny in Avonlea”

Alison Matthews David and Kimberly Wahl (Ryerson) “Taste and Transformation: Negotiating Codes of Fashion in Avonlea”

6:00 – 7:00 PM Exhibit Tour
Lillooet Room

Today I received notices of three separate L.M. Montgomery events and exhibits and a video.

From Mary Beth Cavert (Minnesota): A link to a page devoted to details and photos of the L.M. Montgomery Literary Society’s first Anne event;

From Rita Bode (Trent University): A notice that Robarts Library of the University of Toronto has launched its own exhibit titled “Picture of Green Gables Farm,” which runs from 21 April to 21 May 2008 on the first floor of the Robarts Library. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables, the collection includes a number of editions, translations, adaptations, other books by the author, and items related to Prince Edward Island.

From Helen Salmon (University of Guelph library): Between 23 and 26 October 2008, the University of Guelph will host “The Cultural Influence of Lucy Maud Montgomery,” a symposium that will focus on Guelph’s extensive archival collection of Montgomery materials:

The university has undertaken an extensive digitization project to make its extensive collection of Montgomery memorabilia — including her private journals, scrapbooks, handiwork, photographs, and other records - more accessible to Montgomery scholars and fans everywhere. The symposium will offer the very first opportunity to explore the newly launched collections website, examine the archival collections first-hand, view an L.M. Montgomery exhibit at the University’s art gallery, and listen to speakers who will explore her impact on readers, writers, and women in the 20th century. Join with Canada’s foremost Montgomery scholars, biographers, enthusiasts, and fans to recognize her world-wide legacy and explore the mystery of her creativity. This four day weekend event will include coach tours to view several of  L.M. Montgomery’s residences in Ontario, the opening of an art exhibit,  film viewings, panel discussions, and scholarly presentations which will highlight author’s contributions to literary and popular culture.

Finally, Yuka has sent me a link to a video of a Leaskdale event also commemorating the centenary—please click here to see it.

On Monday, the three of us attended A Ryerson Showcase: The Centenary of Anne of Green Gables / A Symposium/Exhibit Organized by the Students in ACS 800 at Ryerson University. Irene Gammel’s 4th-year students did a fantastic job organizing every aspect of the event, and it was a real treat to hear their presentations as well. Two students recreated the brown gloria dress that Mrs. Lynde makes for Anne, and it’s only once you see how intricate it’s made that you realize the sheer amount of work this would have meant for Mrs. Lynde (supposing, of course, that she was an actual person). I don’t have a photo of it, but it will be on display in the Modern Literature and Culture Centre at Ryerson.

Speakers included Irene Gammel, Ann F. Howey, Helen Hoy, Elizabeth MacLeod, Leslie McGrath, Margaret Steffler, Judy Stoffman, Hildi Froese Tiessen, Paul Tiessen, and the three of us. I very much enjoyed the opportunity to reunite with several long-time friends and colleagues, so overall the day was quite enjoyable.

UPDATE: Jason has posted a number of photos of the event, which can be found here.

The following panel is scheduled for ACCUTE’s 2008 Congress at the University of British Columbia:

Saturday, 31 May 2008
4:45-6:00

Anne of Green Gables: New Directions at 100

Location: Dobson Room, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC Library

Organizers/Chairs: Irene Gammel and Benjamin Lefebvre

• Alexander MacLeod (Saint Mary’s), “On the Road from Bright River: Shifting Social Space in Anne of Green Gables”
• Jason Nolan (Ryerson), “Anne of the Undead: Changeling Child and the Uncanny in Avonlea”
• Alison Matthews David and Kimberly Wahl (Ryerson), “Taste and Transformation: Negotiating Codes of Fashion in Avonlea”

For more information please contact the co-chairs: Irene Gammel <gammel@ryerson.ca> and Benjamin Lefebvre <ben@roomofbensown.net>.

Heaslip House, 7th Floor, Ryerson University
Monday, April 7, 9 AM to 7 PM

Program Highlights

Patron Kate Macdonald Butler, Heirs of L.M. Montgomery, will address the audience

Organized by ASC 800 students, Ryerson University, the event involves 30 student and scholar participants from Ryerson and many other universities including University of Alberta, Brock University, Guelph University, University of London (UK), University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and York University.

Participation by recognized scholars, creative writers, journalists, librarians such as

• Dr. Hildi Froese Tiessen (Waterloo) & Dr. Paul Tiessen (Wilfrid Laurier), Authors of After Green Gables
• Dr. Irene Gammel (Ryerson), Author of Looking for Anne
• Dr. Helen Hoy (Guelph), Author of How Should I Read These?
• Yuka Kajihara & Dr. Jason Nolan (Ryerson), L. M. Montgomery Research Group
• Dr. Benjamin Lefebvre (Alberta), L. M. Montgomery Research Group
• Elizabeth MacLeod (Toronto), Author of Lucy Maud Montgomery
• Leslie McGrath, Head of Osborne Collection of Children’s Literature, Toronto Public Library
• Dr. Margaret Steffler (Trent)
• Judy Stoffman (Toronto Star) and many more

Installation of Anne merchandise (by Ryerson student Laura Brown) and exhibits of new books, cover images, the 1934 Hollywood film, etc.

Exhibit of costume including Anne’s Puffed Sleeves Dress (reconstructed by Ryerson Fashion student Katelyn van Massenhoven)

Original research findings on Hilton Hassell, Toronto illustrator of the first Canadian cover images of Anne of Green Gables, published with Ryerson Press in 1942 and 1964 (presented by Ryerson ACS student Mandy Wilson)

Creative Performances by Anne Shirley (aka Jessica Frey)

Refreshments throughout the day and Reception from 6-7 PM
All welcome free of charge
Book prizes

For more information
www.annecentenary.com / click on STUDENTS
* To receive updates, please sign your name in the “Stay in touch” section

Contact
LAURA BROWN (16brown@ryerson.ca) OR
JULIE-ANN WASHINGTON (jwashing@ryerson.ca)
anne100@mlc.ryerson.ca
(416) 979-5000 ext. 4771

The Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre at Ryerson University has launched a new section devoted to the Anne of Green Gables centenary. It includes information about a number of projects: Irene Gammel’s new book, Looking for Anne (due out in April from Key Porter Books and in July from St. Martin’s Press); a proposed collection of essays on Anne of Green Gables: New Directions, for University of Toronto Press; and a one-day symposium and exhibit held at Ryerson University on April 7, 2008 (Jason, Yuka and I are among the featured presenters). An article about the symposium/exhibit can be found here.

The following is a call for papers for a symposium/exhibit scheduled at Ryerson University in Toronto on Monday, April 7, 2008. The deadline for submissions is February 20. Click here for conference poster.

We invite proposals of 250 to 500 words for a symposium/exhibit that coincides with the centenary anniversary of Anne of Green Gables in 2008. We are looking for proposals for 15-minute papers and creative pieces related to any aspect of this classic novel. The range of topics is open and papers focusing on the novel’s interpretation, its composition, or its cultural significance, are all equally welcomed. Creative pieces can take the form of an imagined story, a performance, an installation, fashion design, or digital media: please provide low resolution samples where appropriate. Ryerson Press was the first Canadian publisher of Anne of Green Gables in 1942, and we are proud to host this event at Ryerson University on April 7, 2008.

The preliminary conference schedule for the L.M. Montgomery Institute’s upcoming conference, “L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables and the Idea of Classic,” has been posted on the conference website.