In March 2018, Canadian artists Spring Hurlbut and Wyn Geleynse received Governor General Awards in Visual and Media Arts. Both Spring and Wyn have connections to the Embassy Cultural House community.

Spring Hurlbut exhibited at the ECH in 1987 and her permanent installation in the Beaver Room of the Embassy Hotel became an iconic part of the hotel for years to come. Wyn was an active member of the board and was involved in many aspects of ECH's programing from its tabloid newspaper to curating exhibitions.  

Including Spring and Wyn at least eleven artists and curators, who were involved in the Embassy Cultural House between 1983 and 1990, have received Governor General Awards. The recipients include: Jamelie Hassan, Liz Magor, Murray Favro, Wyn Geleynse, Spring Hurlbut, Michael Fernandes, Shelagh Keeley, Andy Patton, Jayce Salloum, Robert Fones, Stephen Andrews and curator Marnie Fleming.

That’s an impressive list and something to celebrate and make London proud.   

It is with the sad news, that our good friend and independent curator and writer, Bob McKaskell died on June 30, 2020. ago from cancer.

He was living between Port Dover, Ontario and Oaxaca, Mexico. While in Oaxaca he decided to study Spanish and he had just initiated a program of curating exhibits of Oaxacan artists in his apartment located in the centro historico of Oaxaca. He was a great cook, an excellent gardener and his pursuit of knowledge was startling wide-reaching. Anyone who knew Bob, understood that his sometimes stubborn nature contributed to his ability to intensely focus in a very particular and detailed way to whatever subjects grabbed his interest.
 
Bob taught Contemporary Art History for many years at Western University. He was a huge supporter of both Canadian and international artists and had a commitment to challenging art practices including conceptual art, performance works and independent artists' projects. While in London, he was involved in programming at The Embassy Cultural House, the Forest City Gallery, Museum London and the McIntosh Gallery. 

He was one of the curators at the Windsor Art Gallery  He also worked at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and and the Glenbow Museum in Calgary where he built strong friendships and made contributions to the arts community across Canada.
 
There are so many fond memories of Bob - especially close to our hearts is the survey exhibition he curated Embassy Cultural House - 1983 - 1990  at Museum London in 2012.