Abraham Jedidiah Rogatnick

Abraham Jedidiah Rogatnick, B.A., M. Arch., (Harvard), M.A.I.B.C., F.R.A.I.C.

November 27, 1923 – August 28, 2009

Abraham Rogatnick’s involvement with the Emily Carr University of Art and Design (formerly, the Vancouver School of Art) spanned over five decades.

Upon arriving in Vancouver in the early 1950’s, Abraham, accompanied by Alvin Balkind, visited the Vancouver School of Art to determine how they might make contact with Vancouver artists.  They were instantly ushered upstairs by then principal Fred Amess to meet faculty members Jack Shadbolt, John Koerner, Peter Aspell, Donald Jarvis and Lionel Thomas.  Following discussions with these distinguished faculty members they learned that artists had no venue to show their work in Vancouver.  As a result of this discovery, Alvin and Abraham established the “New Design Gallery,” the first fully active and long-lasting commercial gallery for contemporary art in Vancouver.

Abraham’s passion and support of the University has been constant.  Over the years, he has delivered inspirational and memorable talks to Emily Carr students; sponsored lectures; and established the Alvin Balkind Memorial Scholarship (for the visual arts) and the Abraham Rogatnick Scholarship (for industrial design). When asked why he established these scholarships, he replied  “since childhood I have been fascinated with industrial design and fine graphics, and I wanted to commemorate Alvin’s profound support of artists in all the visual arts.  Emily Carr’s excellent reputation in the teaching of these disciplines made it the inevitable recipient.” These scholarship endowments will dramatically alter the lives of four to eight students each year – forever!  What a legacy from somebody we are proud to call friend.

Abraham came to Vancouver to stay a month.  He was here for over fifty years.  He stayed because of the enthusiastic welcome of artists he never forgot, and he chose to return the favour of a life well lived, through a legacy supporting education at the University.

In 1999, Emily Carr recognized Abraham’s outstanding contributions to education, architecture, and arts and culture by awarding him an Honorary Doctorate. On November 27, 2007, Abraham’s birthday, the Emily Carr community recognized Abraham’s friendship and support by naming the media gallery the Abraham J. Rogatnick Media Gallery in his honour.

Abraham will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Works featured on the homepage are by student recipients of the Alvin Balkind Memorial and Abraham Rogatnick Scholarships.