Scotiabank's fine art donation marks official opening of "Cities: John
    Hartman," a touring exhibition of works by the renowned Canadian artist

    HALIFAX, March 5 /CNW/ - In celebration of Scotiabank's 175th
anniversary, Scotiabank President and CEO Rick Waugh this morning presented a
gift of a major new fine artwork by Canadian painter John Hartman to the Art
Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS). The painting, which was commissioned by
Scotiabank, will become part of the AGNS permanent collection after an
international touring exhibition, "Cities: John Hartman", which opens to the
public tomorrow in Halifax.
    Entitled "Halifax", the 16.5-foot oil on linen triptych provides a
breathtaking bird's-eye panorama of the city, offering viewers a vivid
retrospective of the port's growth and evolution, including major historical
events such as the 1917 Halifax Explosion.
    In addition to the artwork gift to the AGNS, Scotiabank is the presenting
sponsor of the "Cities: John Hartman" touring exhibition, which brings
together 18 new Hartman works from a variety of public and private
collections. As one of Canada's leading contemporary painters, Hartman is
known for his large-scale expressionistic landscape paintings animated with
the imagery of local historic events and personal narratives.
    "To help us mark our 175th year, we felt that the bold and energetic
urban images of John Hartman offered a unique way for us to create a permanent
tribute to Halifax, Scotiabank's city of origin, and all of the communities in
which we share a long and rich history," said Mr. Waugh, who is in Halifax for
Scotiabank's milestone 175th Annual General Meeting on March 6th. "Hartman's
work also reminds us of the important economic and cultural role our cities
have played on our national identity."
    "Cities: John Hartman" will run at the AGNS from March 6 to April 23,
2007, before traveling to other major galleries, including those in Toronto,
Montreal, Calgary, New York and London, England. The exhibition is curated by
Stuart Reid, Curator and Director of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen
Sound, Ontario, and circulated nationally with the assistance of the AGNS.
    "This magnificent new artwork is an important addition to our collection
because, through Hartman's unique imagery and visual storytelling, all Nova
Scotians will be able to enjoy a vibrant and thought-provoking depiction of
our history," said Jeffrey Spalding, Director and Chief Curator, AGNS. "We
thank Scotiabank for their gift and exhibition sponsorship, which continues
their leadership role in championing Canadian arts and culture, including
public art and exhibitions for all Canadians to experience and share."
    To complement the art tour and to help chronicle the works of one of
Canada's most respected contemporary Canadian artists, Scotiabank has also
sponsored an accompanying book, "Cities: John Hartman," published by Altitude
Press. The fully-illustrated book features essays by Noah Richler,
award-winning author and journalist, Dennis Reid, Chief Curator of the Art
Gallery of Ontario, and Stuart Reid.

    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With close to 57,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12 million customers in some 50
countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and
services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking.
With $379 billion in assets (as at October 31, 2006), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.

    /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
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    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
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