July Updates with the Embassy Cultural House: Bill Exley, Not/For The Money, and Art Speaks

The Embassy Cultural House remembers Bill Exley (1939-2025) and the spirited "noise" of the Nihilist Spasm Band.

View this email in your browser Embassy Cultural House remembers Bill Exley (1939-2025) Bill Exley at 514 Pall Mall Street on August 20, 2024. Left to right: Norma Exley, Jamelie Hassan, Bill Exley, Robin Askew and Marta Méndez. Photo credit: Ron Benner Bill Exley was one of my grade 13 high school teachers where he taught English at Westminster Secondary School in London in 1967 when I attended there briefly for one semester. When I left Westminster and London, Bill generously wrote a letter of reference for me regarding my desire to study art.  While Bill and Norma Exley made a move to Elmira where they taught for 34 years, they kept their strong connection to London’s cultural community. A few years later, on my return to London, we reconnected at a film screening of L’étranger at the former International Cinema. We were among the few people in attendance at the film and we sat together. (At that time, I continued to call Bill–Mr. Exley). After the film, Bill and Norma suggested that I come along with them to an art event at the 20/20 Gallery–a block down the street from the cinema house–on King and Ridout. From that first visit to the gallery, I was introduced to many of the city’s artists, cultural provocateurs and their families, who would become my friends (and often my critics). During those years, my friendship with Bill and Norma involved meeting up at many Nihilist Picnics and Nihilist Spasm Band Monday night performances, at the York Hotel and later at the Forest City Gallery when it was founded in 1973. A number of other mutual friendships developed. Bill and Norma had a connection with Julie Burnett and Chris Gittings, as Julie had also taught in the same high school in Elmira for a number of years. Julie and Chris had moved to London and lived in our building. Like many people, I have good memories from over the years with Bill and Norma. Bill’s keen curiosity about whatever work we were doing was always encouraging and supportive. I truly feel fortunate to have had such a thoughtful and caring person in my life. Sending my sincere condolences to Norma, Laura, Sylvia, his extended family, his bandmates, friends, and community. His energy, good humour, and perseverance will always be an example to so many. Bill, may you rest in peace but also know that a younger generation of fans will continue your example and make a spirited “noise” around us.    - Jamelie Hassan - Plastopolis by Bill Exley. Photo by Robin Askew, 2017. Image courtesy of Exley family I will miss Bill immensely. Of all the people of his generation in London, Ontario, he was the only one with a “critical consciousness.” Our dialogues over the decades were informed by the same sources for “news,” information, and analysis, be it Le Monde Diplomatique, The Guardian Weekly–Bill cancelled his subscription in disgust as it towed the neoliberal line–or the Toronto Star which also became symptomatic of a general move to the right. Bill’s legacy will live on with his unwavering, unambiguous, “un-American” lyrics and commentary. My sincere condolences to Norma and their daughters, Laura and Sylvia, who Bill loved deeply.    - Ron Benner -  Obituary of William Arthur Exley Museum London’s tribute to Bill Exley   Not/For The Money presented by Embassy Cultural House Alistair MacKinnon, Missing the Point, mixed media, 2025. Image courtesy of the artist Online: Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 10AM EST Zoom Launch: Friday, August 8, 2025 @ 11AM EST embassyculturalhouse.ca   The Embassy Cultural House is pleased to present Not/For The Money, a group exhibition that highlights work by artists and cultural workers that examines themes related to money, capital, and value.   Money is a very urgent issue for many artists. An aspect of this issue is the general public’s inability to value the arts and cultural workers’ vital role and impact within any community. There is a lack of understanding in the way cultural workers survive and build meaningful lives, often with a minimum of resources. The issue of money, the impact of economic disparity, and insecurity dominates many of our lives. Without a stable income, most people struggle to afford basic necessities that are required for quality of life. The theme of money is addressed frequently within the art world, but usually it is in the context of the art “market,” commercial auctions, and wealthy collectors. Many artists work to imagine and engender new relationships, value systems, and ways of being. As journalist Eric Reguly wrote in The Globe and Mail business section, “You don’t necessarily need buckets of money to succeed. Sometimes imagination and the courage to break the rules can do the trick.” Not/For the Money includes contributions by Ron Benner, Karl Beveridge, Lily Cho, Matthew Dawkins, Holly English, Soheila Esfahani, Kelly Greene, Jamelie Hassan, SF Ho, Michael Maranda, Alistair MacKinnon, Patrick Mahon, David Merritt, Mohamed Monaiseer, Sheri Osden Nault, Wanda Nanibush, Shelley Niro, Ruth Strebe, and Jeff Thomas. The project has been organized by Ron Benner, Jamelie Hassan, Olivia Mossuto, and Mireya Seymour. Art Speaks: Bridging Cultures Fundraiser presented by Across Languages August 19 - August 24, 2025 TAP Centre for Creativity 203 Dundas St, London, ON Reception: Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 5PM to 8PM Silent Auction: August 14 - August 24, 2025 Across Languages is proud to present Art Speaks: Bridging Cultures, a special exhibition and fundraising event that brings together artists, community members, and language lovers in celebration of the many ways art transcends barriers and builds understanding. This inspiring event is made possible through the generous collaboration of TAP Centre for Creativity and the Embassy Cultural House, two pillars of London's arts community. Together, we are creating space for stories to be shared, cultures to be celebrated, and voices—often unheard—to be amplified. Join us for an unforgettable night of visual art, silent auction, and conversation. Funds raised will support Across Languages' interpretation and translation services that help newcomers access vital services and fully participate in our shared community life. Let’s come together to celebrate what connects us—art, food, and community. Congratulations to Dr. Anahí Gonzalez! On July 23, 2025, Dr. Anahí González successfully defended her thesis, Depicting Mexican Labour for/within Contemporary Canadian Imperialism: Photography, Participation, and Power. Congratulations to Anahí on her impressive doctoral lecture and the inspiring work that she has accomplished at Western University and within her exemplary artistic practice. As The Crow Flies: Garden Tours with Ron Benner Ron Benner, As The Crow Flies, photographic garden installation, 2005—present. Image courtesy of Museum London Join local artist Ron Benner for special garden tours through As the Crow Flies this summer! This longstanding, living artwork blends art, ecology, and cultural history. Experience its evolution and meaning firsthand at this guided outdoor event, rain or shine! These events are a celebration of As The Crow Flies' 20th anniversary at Museum London.  As the Crow Flies is an outdoor photographic/garden installation by London, Ontario-based artist, writer, and gardener Ron Benner (b. 1949). Installed on the western side of the Museum, overlooking the Deshkan Ziibi (Thames River), Benner’s work consists of an elliptical or egg-shaped reflecting pool. The pool is surrounded by a rich assortment of plant life, which the artist has cultivated for regeneration every year since 2005. It also supports migrating waterfowl and is an ecosystem for amphibians, insects, and fish. The flowers and vegetables that make up As the Crow Flies all grow along the 81.14th meridian leading from Benner’s home of London, south to far-flung locations such as Cape Sable, Florida, and the Bay of Pigs, Cuba. A series of 22 black-and-white photographs document seemingly disconnected landmarks situated along the same meridian. They include colonial monuments, military infrastructure, and industrial remnants. Benner studied agricultural engineering before becoming an artist. He considers the tension between the human imposition of order on the natural world—through mapping, trade, settlement, and colonization—and the rich cultural knowledge that plants embody. As the Crow Flies illustrates Benner’s longstanding commitment to investigating the history and political economics of food cultures. The work embodies his think-globally, act-locally approach to creative practice. For more information, please visit Museum London's website.  Tours are offered on Sunday July 27, August 3, and August 24. Registration is required.  Tom Hill Catalogue published by Woodland Cultural Centre Celebrate the remarkable life and artistic legacy of Thomas V. Hill with this comprehensive exhibition catalogue, accompanying the acclaimed retrospective Thomas V. Hill: A Retrospective of an Artist (April 10 – July 31, 2021). This richly illustrated publication offers an intimate look into Hill’s incredible journey from childhood artist and performer to influential curator, arts administrator, and champion of Indigenous arts in Canada. Featuring exclusive essays and reflections, including "Tom Hill, In His Own Words" from an interview with Woodland Cultural Centre Curator Patricia Deadman, and heartfelt tributes by Janis Bomberry, Rick Hill, Kelly Greene, Trudy Nicks, Lee-Ann Martin, and Patricia Deadman, this catalogue provides deeper insight into Hill’s creative spirit, leadership, and enduring influence on Indigenous art and culture. Buy Now Relevant and Related Links From Democracy Now!: “War on Children”: Doctor Tarek Loubani in Gaza on Massacres, Starvation and Israel’s Plan for Concentration Camps From Democracy Now!: “I’m a Genocide Scholar. I Know It When I See It”: Prof. Omer Bartov on the Growing Consensus on Gaza From The New Democratic Party of Canada: NDP intends to nominate UN Special Rapporteur for the Nobel Peace Prize  From CounterPunch: Unmasking Fascism: Edward Said’s Pedagogy of Wakefulness in an Age of Educational Repression by Henry Giroux From The Guardian: I’m a queer Palestinian. Stop using my identity as cover for the destruction of Gaza by Jad Salfiti From CBC London: Westland Gallery bids adieu to its current home as owner searches for the ideal buyer by Isha Bhargava From CBC London: St. Paul's Cathedral reopens with a bold transformation and a message for London by Travis Dolynny Visit the ECH Website Embassy Cultural House is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton peoples, at the forks of Deshkan Ziibi (Antler River), an area subject to the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum and other treaties, colonized as London, Ontario. The ECH strives to create meaningful relationships between the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island and our contributors. The ECH honours the stewardship of the many Indigenous peoples who have resided on these lands since time immemorial. Copyright © 2025 Embassy Cultural House. All rights reserved. Our mailing address: 514 Pall Mall Street, London, ON, N5Y 2Z6, Canada Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.