Malta’s visiting Artist in Residence donates 50 percent of proceeds from sale of paintings

VALLETTA, Malta – “It has always been an honor and privilege for me to be an artist in the community, and to be a part of it.” These are the words of Malta’s visiting Artist in Residence Tom F

VALLETTA, Malta – “It has always been an honor and privilege for me to be an artist in the community, and to be a part of it.” These are the words of Malta’s visiting Artist in Residence Tom Forrestall.

Tom, considered by many art critics to be one of the “Pillars of Canadian Art,” announced that he would donate 50% of the proceeds from the sale of his Malta watercolor paintings to Din l-Art Ħelwa, The Malta Heritage Institute. Forrestall made the announcement at a VIP Artist Salon hosted in his honor by Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa on Friday, April 15.

malta2 | eTurboNews | eTN

Tom Forrestall Painting of The Siege Bell Memorial, in Valletta from Barakka Gardens Photo Credit- Monica Forrestall

The Artist Salon, under the Patronage of Michelle Muscat, spouse of the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, was hosted by David Woodward, General Manager of the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, joined by Michelle Buttigieg, US Representative, Malta Tourism Authority and Maria Grazia Cassar, Executive President, Din l-Art Ħelwa, The Malta Heritage Institute.

Forrestall, during his Artist in Residence in Malta, will create a collection of watercolor paintings featuring the diversity that is Malta, “18 Days on Malta: Closer Look at 7,000 Years of History in Words & Paint”. The painting sites around Malta will include historic buildings and landscapes in Valletta, Mdina, and the sister island of Gozo.


Tom Forrestall Malta Watercolor Paintings Displayed at a “Meet the Artist” Exhibit & Sale at Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa April 23

The Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, hosting Tom Forrestall during his Malta Artist in Residence, will organize an exhibit of Forrestall’s collection of watercolor paintings of Malta on Saturday April 23, 2016, together with photos of their sketching outings by his journalist daughter Monica Forrestall. During the exhibit, the artist will also hold two public salons, one at noon and one at 5pm, where he looks forward to meeting local art enthusiasts and members of the artistic community to talk about his stay and discuss the collection of watercolor paintings he has created during his two week stay in Malta. Half of the proceeds from the sale of the paintings in Malta, as well as any exhibits that will take place in the coming year in the US, will be donated back by Forrestall to Din l-Art Ħelwa the Malta Heritage Institute.

Forrestall noted “Throughout my career as a professional painter, for over 65 years, I have given donations to great and worthy causes which have been an integral aspect of my life. This project in Malta is one of these great causes, and I’m honored and delighted with my daughter Monica’s collaboration and vital assistance in order to realize this project together.

“Thank you Malta.”

Michelle Buttigieg, US Representative, Malta Tourism Authority, applauded this initiative, noting “We greatly appreciate that such a renowned Canadian Artist as Tom Forrestall, has shown his appreciation for this opportunity to paint the many historical sites and beautiful landscapes of Malta & Gozo, by generously supporting an institution whose focus is to protect and preserve the rich history and culture that is Malta.”

“The Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is proud to have played an instrumental role in luring this well-respected artist to Malta,” said David Woodward, Corinthia’s General Manager. “We are pleased to facilitate Forrestall’s generous gesture by hosting the final exhibit and sale of his collection of Malta watercolor paintings. His Artist in Residence certainly highlights the Corinthia’s ongoing commitment to support the arts and culture of Malta.”

Din l-Art Ħelwa, National Trust of Malta, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, voluntary organization founded in 1965 to safeguard the historic, artistic and natural heritage of Malta. Since its foundation, Din l-Art Ħelwa has restored and managed numerous cultural sites of immense historic and environmental importance. Din l-Art Ħelwa promotes the preservation and protection of historic buildings and monuments, the character of Malta’s towns and villages, and places of natural beauty and importance and the flora and fauna of such places, especially in relation to the problems arising from modern urban development. They stimulate the enforcement of existing laws and the enactment of new ones for the protection of Malta’s natural and built heritage.

Forrestall is one of the leading painters associated with the contemporary realism movement of Canada and of the Maritime provinces. Forrestall was born in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, in 1936 and grew up in Middleton and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where he currently resides and maintains his studio. Forrestall’s career has spanned over fifty years, during which he has received awards including the Order of Canada and several honorary doctorates. His works have been exhibited in museums and public galleries both nationally and internationally in solo and group exhibitions.

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

The Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is the original flagship of Corinthia Hotels, opened in 1968. Located in the heart of the island of Malta, adjacent to the Presidential Palace, the 147-room five-star Corinthia Palace exudes grace and historic charm. It is positioned between the island’s capital Valletta and Mdina, the picturesque medieval silent city that is still inhabited till this day. This opulent hotel offers the leisure guest an extensive range of facilities, including the Athenaeum Spa and Health Club, complete with a wide range of revitalizing treatments and indoor and outdoor pools. With a century-old restored villa as its main dining venue, this hotel is all about warmth, personal attention, and traditional elegance. The hotel boasts top-class restaurants, including Rickshaw, offering Asian-fusion dishes, and the al fresco Summer Kitchen. For corporate guests, modern business facilities are available, with a large conference room easily accommodating 450 delegates, and six syndicate rooms including two boardrooms for smaller groups. Corinthia Palace is a 21st-century stately hotel, created by experts with a passion for craftsmanship and an understanding of world-class service. Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is an award-winning member of Corinthia Hotels’ collection of five-star hotels founded by the Pisani family of Malta.

For more information, visit corinthia.com/palace or visit Twitter or Instagram

PHOTO: Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa hosted VIP Artist Salon for Artist in Resident program: From Left to Right – Monica Forrestall; Maria Grazia Cassar, Executive President, Din l-Art Ħelwa; Corinthia Palace Hotel in Partnership with Malta Tourism Authority’s Artist in Residence, Tom Forrestall; Michelle Muscat, spouse of the Prime Minister of Malta; Michelle Buttigieg, US Representative, Malta Tourism Authority & David Woodward, General Manager, Corinthia Palace Hotel

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...