Photo by Verant RIchards

The Verant Richards Scholarship

Verant Richards was an exceptional individual and artist. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and founding member of Gallery 44, he left behind a large body of work when he died of cancer in 1988 at the age of 37. When he died, his friends and family began a scholarship under his name at the Ontario College of Art. It is given to a graduating student for experimental work which pushes beyond the confines of a self-limiting definition of photography. It provides a cash award along with 6 months of Membership at Gallery 44, in the hopes of providing the means to make art along with an introduction to an active artistic community.

Photo of David by Ethan Eisenberg

The David Barker Maltby Award  

David Barker Maltby was an artist, educator, photographer, community activists, as well as a friend and a member of Gallery 44.  In 2001, David passed away suddenly at the age of 38.  During his life, David was dedicated to issues of social justice, poverty, and homelessness in Toronto.  This was evident in his photographs that covered 20 years of protests, demonstrations, anti-poverty actions and sit-ins.  In Memory of David, Gallery 44 has established a fund to honour his dedication to those less fortunate in our city of Toronto.

Every year, Gallery 44 awards two participants from our OUTREACH program, the David Barker Maltby Award in keeping with his commitment to education, community activism and documentary photography.  The OUTREACH program works with youth-at-risk who have not traditionally had access to photography.  Award winners, nominated by instructors and selected by a committee, have excelled within the OUTREACH program.  Recipients are awarded based on their talent and commitment to continuing with their arts practice.