| BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS |
He left the VSDAA to join Varley as Art Director at the B.C. College of Arts after receiving a cut in pay from the Director of the VSDAA, Charles H. Scott.
Macdonald c.v. from B.C. College of Arts Prospectus 1933
In 1941 he had work in the RCA's 62nd Annual exhibition, held at the Art Association of Montreal.
The 1946 issue of VANTECH noted on the list of School Staff that Macdonald was in charge of the Design Workshop at the school. The student printers noted that "we praise Mr. Macdonald for his sponsorship of the art selections of the annual."
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
| DATE | EXHIBITION | LOCATION |
| 1938 July 12 - 27 | Six Local Artists | VAG |
| 1941 May 9 - 18 | Solo Exhibition | VAG |
| 1941 Sept. 4 - 14 | Solo Exhibition (22 paintings) | VAG |
| 1944 Nov. 21 - Dec. 10 | Solo Exhibition (21 pictures) | VAG |
| 1946 Aug. 27 - Sept. 18 | Solo Exhibition (12 pictures) | VAG |
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
| DATE | EXHIBITION | ARTWORK |
| 1928 Feb 18 - Mar 18 | Palette and Chisel Club Exhibition | Winter |
| Last Days of Summer | ||
| 1929 Nov. 16 - 30 | BCSFA Winter Exhibition | Landscape Form |
| Sphinx Peak, Garibaldi | ||
| Glacier Fields, Garibaldi | ||
| Trees | ||
| Mountain Study | ||
| 1930 May 31 - June 14 | BCSFA Spring Exhibition | Poster |
| Poster | ||
| Departing Day, Garibaldi Park | ||
| 1932 May - July | VAG All Canadian Exhibition | Sailor's Sand Bar, Fraser Canyon, B.C. |
| The Food Cache | ||
| Indian Salmon Pack (sic Rack) | ||
| The Pioneer (sculpture) | ||
| 1932 Oct. 5 - 30 | VAG B.C. Artists 1st Annual | The Black Tusk, Garibaldi Park |
| The White Forest | ||
| The Cabin | ||
| The Cove | ||
| 1933 Feb. 13 - 18 | Sylvia Court West End Artists Exhibition | (winter waterfront scene) |
| (landscape) | ||
| (prints) | ||
| 1933 May 20 - 31 | VAG Palette & Chisel Club Exhibition | False Creed |
| Old Yale | ||
| Cylinders, Cubes and Cones | ||
| The Cabin | ||
| Still Grasping | ||
| Golden Glow | ||
| Low Tide | ||
| The Edge of the Wood | ||
| Red Mountain Garibaldi | ||
| Yale, B.C. | ||
| Stormy Water | ||
| The Hop Field | ||
| The First Fall | ||
| 1933 Dec. 1 - 17 | VAG B.C. Artists Christmas Exhibition | Towards Howe Sound |
| Beached | ||
| The Edge of the Woods | ||
| 1934 Sept. 21 - Oct. 14 | VAG B.C. Artists 3rd Annual | Yale Valley, B.C. |
| Colour Symphony | ||
| Pike Peak - Garibaldi Park | ||
| 1934 Oct. 18 - 21 | Chilliwack B.C. Artists 3rd Ann. Selections | ? |
| 1934 ? - ? | VAG B.C. Artists Edmonton Exhibition | Pike Peak - Garibaldi Park |
| 1934 Dec. 4 - 16 | VAG B.C. Artists Christmas Exhibition | Tantalus Range |
| Fog, Rocks and Ice | ||
| 1935 Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 | VAG B.C. Artists Christmas Exhibition | The Lagoon Mouth, Nootka, V.I. |
| A Whiteman Sailor | ||
| 1936 June 26 - July 12 | BCSFA 26th Annual | Over the Sea |
| Morning on Nootka Sound | ||
| Driftwood | ||
| Drying Herring Roe | ||
| Russian Hermit's Cabin | ||
| Nootka Lighthouse | ||
| Black Tusk | ||
| Table Mountain, Garibaldi Park | ||
| 1936 Sept. 18 - Oct. 11 | VAG B.C. Artists 5th Annual | Heavy Weather on the West Coast |
| 1937 April 16 - May 1 | BCSFA 27th Annual | Still Life |
| The Puppet | ||
| Morning on Nootka Sound | ||
| Old Steve's House, Friendly Cove | ||
| Swirling Water | ||
| Sunset Over the Sea | ||
| 1937 Sept. 17 - Oct. 10 | VAG B.C. Artists 6th Annual | Pilgrimage |
| 1938 April 29 - May 15 | BCSFA 28th Annual | Modality - Rain |
| Modality - Winter | ||
| Modality - Chrysanthemum | ||
| Modality - Daybreak | ||
| 1938 Sept. 16 - Oct. 9 | VAG B.C. Artists 7th Annual | Glacier Caves, Garibaldi Park, B.C. |
| Meadow Pool, Garibaldi Park, B.C. | ||
| Red Mountain, Garibaldi Park, B.C. | ||
| 1939 June 9 - 25 | BCSFA 29th Annual | Tantalus Range from Garibaldi Park |
| Drying Herring Roe | ||
| Mimulus Lake, Garibaldi Park | ||
| Modalities: (a) Edge of the Sea | ||
| Modalities: (b) The Deep Sea | ||
| Modalities: (c) Flight | ||
| 1939 Sept. 15 - Oct. 8 | VAG B.C. Artists 8th Annual | Cactus |
| 1940 May 17 - June 2 | BCSFA 30th Annual | Composition |
| 1941 Sept. 26 - Oct. 19 | VAG B.C. Artists 10th Annual | Mt. Hungable - near Lake O'Hara, B.C. |
| Mountain Form - Valley of the Ten Peaks, Alberta | ||
| 1942 May 15 - 31 | BCSFA 32nd Annual | 8,000 Ft. Up |
| 1942 July 7 - Sept. 2 | VAG B.C. Artists 1st Annual Summer | Tantalus Range, Garibaldi Park |
| Glacier Caves, Garibaldi Park | ||
| 1942 Nov. 3 - 15 | FCA Red Cross Benefit | (no information available) |
| 1943 May 15 - June 6 | BCSFA 33rd Annual | Modality - Spring Awakening |
| Modality - Fall | ||
| Mount Hubert, Lake O'Hara | ||
| 1943 July 2 - Aug. 25 | VAG B.C. Artists 2nd Annual Summer | Modality- Fall |
| Modality - Spring Awakening | ||
| 1943 Sept. 25 - Oct. 20 | VAG B.C. Artists 12th Annual | Castle Towers, Garibaldi Park |
| Garibaldi Lake | ||
| 1944 May 13 - June 4 | BCSFA 34th Annual | Mt. LeFroy, Lake O'Hara, B.C. |
| 1944 July 4 - Aug. 30 | VAG B.C. Artists 3rd Annual Summer | Mt. LeFroy, Lake O'Hara |
| 1944 Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 | VAG B.C. Artists 13th Annual | Kelowna Landscape |
| 1945 May 18 - June 10 | BCSFA 35th Annual | Thunder Clouds over Okanagan Lake |
| Friendly Cove, Nootka, B.C. | ||
| 1945 July 3 - Aug. 26 | VAG B.C. Artists 4th Annual Summer | Victory Garden, Rutland, B.C. |
| Kelowna Landscape | ||
| 1946 May 31 - June 23 | BCSFA 36th Annual | Number 1 |
| Number 2 | ||
| Number 3 | ||
| Number 4 | ||
| Number 5 | ||
| Number 6 | ||
| 1946 July 2 - 28 | VAG Jubilee Exhibition | Kelowna Landscape |
| 1947 May 9 - June 1 | BCSFA 37th Annual | Arctic Vibrations |
| Fish and Birds | ||
| Under Tropical Seas | ||
| 1950 April 25 - May 14 | BCSA 40th Annual | Birds |
| Bird and Environment |
SOUVENIR CATALOGUE OF EXHIBITIONS OPENING THE NEW VANCOUVER ART GALLERY (refer to VAG51)
100 YEARS OF B.C. ART (refer to VAG58)
ARTE CANADIENSE (refer to NGC60)
4th BURNABY NATIONAL PRINT SHOW (refer to BAG67)
CONTEMPORARIES OF EMILY CARR IN BRITISH COLUMBIA (refer to SFU74)
PRINTMAKING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 1889-1983 (refer to AGGV83)
VANCOUVER: ART & ARTISTS 1931 - 1983 (refer to VAG83)
IMAGES OF THE LAND - CANADIAN BLOCK PRINTS 1919 - 1945 (refer to GLEN84)
A MODERN LIFE: Art and Design in British Columbia 1945-1960 (refer to VAG04)
OUR CHANGING LANDSCAPE (2008) (refer to BAG08)
SHORE, FOREST AND BEYOND - ART FROM THE AUDAIN COLLECTION (refer to VAG11)
B.C. College of Arts Prospectus 1933
ART AS YOUR CAREER
Canadian Institute of Associated Arts Prospectus, 1938
WHO'S WHO IN NORTHWEST ART (refer to WWNA41)
VANTECH 1946 - TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
Printed by the students of the Vancouver Technical School
90 pages, stapled, illust. colour/b&w.
Includes a number of original student linocut prints.
Includes staff photograph with Macdonald, head of Design Workshop.
Heralding a New Group by J.W.G. Macdonald
Canadian Art magazine, Vol. 5
No. 1, October-November 1947, p. 35-36; 2 illustrations
BRITISH COLUMBIA - A CENTENNIAL ANTHOLOGY (refer to BCCA58)
PERMANENT COLLECTION (refer to AGGV64)
THE FINE ARTS IN VANCOUVER, 1886 - 1930 (refer to THOM69)
CREATIVE CANADA - Volumes One & Two (refer to CC71)
Includes 1-1/2 full columns of concise information about Macdonald.
CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN PAINTING by William Withrow
1972, ISBN -07710-9029-3, publisher McClelland and Stewart Limited
224 pages, hardcover, extensively illustrated
Chapters on 24 artists, list of bibliographies and galleries
Western artists include J.W.G. Macdonald,
Jack Shadbolt
PUBLIC ART IN VANCOUVER (refer to UBC72)
FROM DESOLATION TO SPLENDOUR (refer to FDTS77)
ROYAL CANADIAN ACADEMY OF ARTS - EXHIBITIONS & MEMBERS 1880 - 1979 (refer to RCA81)
ARTISTS IN CANADA 1982 - UNION LIST OF ARTISTS' FILES (refer to AIC82)
MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS - SPRING EXHIBITIONS 1880 - 1970 (refer to MM88)
A DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN ARTISTS (refer to M)
An extensive eight-page biography.
CANADIAN ART - FROM ITS BEGINNINGS TO 2000 (refer to CAN00)
THE CANADIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA (refer to CE00)
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (refer to EBC00)
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF ARTISTS IN CANADA (refer to BIAC03)
At least 25 references cited for Macdonald.
THE FECKLESS COLLECTION (refer to FECK18)
GREATER VANCOUVER ART GALLERIES 1954-2020 (refer to GVAG20)
1 reference to Macdonald.
"Other contributors include: ... J.W.G. Macdonald ... "
From "The Paint Box Is Annual of Vancouver Art School"
unknown newspaper, June 1927
"First prizes for the best costumes were awarded to Miss Theresa Lefurgey in the dress of a
boy herald of the time of Charles I, and Mr. Bert Quinn in
eccentric costume. Mr. F. Horsman Varley and
Mr. J.W.G. Macdonald of the Art School staff were the judges,
and the affair was pronounced one of the most original ever staged in the city."
From "Ogopogo Yawns On Gay Crowd At Bal Masque"
unknown newspaper, October 20 1927
"Those who dislike modernism won't like Mr. Macdonald's
"Garibaldi Park," in which his glacier is very fine; nor his snow scene on Grouse Mountain."
From "B.C. Artists Reveal Talent at Show"
unknown newspaper, October 1932
" ... nearly all our present painters of any distinction are also teachers.
They include ... J.W.G. Macdonald, the teacher of design in the same institution ... "
From "BRITISH COLUMBIA ART - Significance of First "All British
Columbia Show" by Harold Mortimer Lamb
Saturday Night December 10 1932
"J.W.G. McDonald (sic), another Vancouver artist whose work is well known throughout
Canada, has an unusual winter waterfront scene as well as a landscape and some prints."
From "'West End' Show Of Art Works" by D.S.M.
Vancouver Sun, February 15 1933
"Many other well-known artists are represented, including ... J.W.G. MacDonald ... "
From "Bargains in Art" by D.S.M.
Vancouver Sun, December 1 1933
"F.H Varley,
R.C.A., and J.W.G. Macdonald, directors of the
B.C. College of Art, will take their pupils up 5,000
feet into this country which they declare has marvellous possibilities from
an artist's point of view. Those who remember Mr. Macdonald's "Black Tusk" will
agree that British Columbia will gain much when her artists can give to the
world such canvases."
From "In The Domain of Art" by Reta W. Myers
Vancouver Province, May 5 1934
"Among other pictures coming to Chilliwack are works
by C.H. Scott, F.H. Varley,
A.R.C.A., J.W.G. Macdonald and other noted artists."
From "Vancouver Pictures Come to Chilliwack"
Vancouver Art Gallery Press Release, October 1934
"Notably among the oils are J.W.G. Macdonald's "Lagoon Mouth, Nootka", a
study of mountain scenery with a certain rhythmic quality ... "
From "Christmas Exhibition At Art Gallery"
Vancouver Art Gallery Press Release, November 1935
"Two Vancouver Artists, J.W.G. Macdonald and W.P. Weston, have had the honor
of having their work selected for the Coronation Exhibition in London. ...
Two oils by Mr. Macdonald, instructor of Canadian Institute
of Art, have been chosen - "Indian Funeral and Pacific Commerce."
From "Vancouver Artists In Coronation Show: J.W.G. Macdonald
and W.P. Weston Honored"
Vancouver Province, August 19 1937
"There are exceptions. ... A possible third was J.W.G. Macdonald, who showed
a group of four semi-abstract designs, which will at least arouse curiosity."
From "Fine Showing By B.C. Artists Follows Conventional Lines" by E.N.B.
Vancouver Province, April 30 1938
"J.W.G. Macdonald has some excellent work in the exhibition,
the leading picture being "Drying Herring Row" (sic) which has been exhibited at the
Tate Gallery. When it first appeared it was assured of being a "career" picture,
and such it has proved. There are three modelaties (sic) from his brush, "Edge of the
Sea" being unusual. ... Mr. Macdonald's "Paradise Valley" is also a commendable example
deserving careful scrutiny."
From "Leading Provincial Artists Exhibit at Show" by T.H.W.
News-Herald, June 10 1939
"Vancouver Artists' Work in Hemisphere Art Exhibition"
Vancouver Sun, July 18 1941
"Among the large canvases accepted for this year's R.C.A. exhibition are
J.W.G. Macdonald's strong decorative oil of the
Rockies entitled "Mount Hungabie," shown here a few weeks ago in the
B.C. Artists annual exhibition ..."
From "Western Artists Capture Interest At Toronto Show"
by Palette
Vancouver Province, November 20 1941
"J.W.G. Macdonald's "8000 Feet Up" reveals an unexpected
variation to his usual style. ..."
From "B.C. Society of Fine Arts
Display Sets New High Mark" by Palette
Vancouver Province, May 16 1942
"... J.W.G. Macdonald was elected president ..."
From "B.C. Artists' Display To Calgary
For Exhibition" by Palette
Vancouver Province, May-June 1942
"Among those contibuting paintings and drawings are: ... J.W.G. Macdonald, ARCA ... "
From "Noted Artists Offer Paintings For Red Cross"
Vancouver Province (presumed), November 1942
""Modality Spring Awakening," by J.W.G. Macdonald, stands out
in its lovely quality, sensitive rhythm and sequence of interesting forms."
From "Fine Creative Spirit Marks Exhibition By B.C. Artists"
Vancouver Province, May 21 1943
"Paintings by well known artists include ... J.W.G. Macdonald ... "
From "Summer Show at Gallery Major Event
for Art Lovers" by Palette
Vancouver Province, July 7 1943
"J.W.G. Macdonald's impressive mountain landscape "Mount
Lefroy" is very strong and convincing ... "
From "Notable Exhibits of Artists' Work"
by Mildred Valley Thornton
Vancouver Sun (presumed), May 1944
"As a result of a ballot taken in respect of nominations
previously secured by public announcement, three artist members,
Mr. Lawren Harris, Mr. C.H.
Scott, A.R.C.A., and J.W.G. Macdonald, headed
the poll by large majorities."
From "Re: 13th Annual B.C. Artists' Exhibition" by
A.S. Grigsby.
"Another interesting art event scheduled over CBR will be a
talk, on Monday January 29, by a noted Vancouver painter,
J.W.G. Macdonald. The subject of
the talk will be chiefly on the children's free Saturday
morning classes at the gallery."
From "Collection of Eastern Artist
Features Art Gallery Display" by
Palette
Vancouver Province, January 24 1945
"Among the more unusual efforts are J.W.G. Macdonald's
delightfully imaginative water-colors, Jessie Faunt's
entertaining and bright compositions and Lilias Farley's
wood-carving, "Fronds.""
From "B.C. Art Exhibit Non-Experimental"
News Herald, May 12 1947
"Summer University courses "Painting for Pleasure" have been followed during the
past month with enthusiasm by an evergrowing number of amateur painters. The
instructors are B.C. Binning, Orville
Fisher, J. MacDonald, and Lionel Thomas."
From "Stanley Park Paintings On Exhibition at Gallery"
by Palette
Vancouver Province, August 2 1947
"Gazing at J.W.G. Macdonald's painting "Bird and Environment," which had just
arrived from Ontario ... "
From "For and about WOMEN"
Vancouver Province, April 22 1950
"... A persuasive Canadian instance can be found in the automatic paintings
of J.W.G. Macdonald, a pioneer whose experiments date back at least
into the early thirties. Shuttling constantly back and forth between the figurative
and non-figurative, he has, in his water colours, produced an extraordinary
profusion of forms with no slackening of inventiveness."
From "Is Non-objective Art Non-objectionable?" by Colin Graham
Canadian Art magazine, Spring 1957, Vol. 14 No. 3