Born in 1935, Glenn Lewis graduated from the Vancouver School of Art in 1958 (now Emily Carr University of Art + Design) with honors in painting, drawing, and ceramics. Subsequently, he received a teaching certificate from University of British Columbia (1959) and studied ceramics under Bernard Leach in St. Ives (Cornwall, England) (1961-1964). Lewis has worked in video, performance, film, ceramics, photography, sculpture, and writing. He was an active member of the avant-garde art scene in Vancouver during the 1960s, producing work that blurred the boundaries between media and between viewer and artist. He has taught widely, including ceramics and art teaching methods in the Education Department at the University of British Columbia (1964-1967), media workshops at the National Film Board in Vancouver (1968-1970), and ceramics, sculpture, and drawing in the Fine Arts Department at the University of British Columbia (1971-1974).

As one of the co-founders of the Western Front, Lewis initiated and administered the Video Program (1974-1976), curated the Performance Art Program (1977-1979), acted as arts administrator and program coordinator (1979-1987), initiated and coordinated the Computer-Integrated Media Program (1985-1987). In addition, Lewis was head of the Media Arts Section of the Canada Council (1987-1990). Lewis has served on countless boards, including the Intermedia Board of Trustees (1970-1972), the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Board of Directors (1973-1976, 1986-1987), the Western Front Board of Directors (1974-1987, 1991-present), as well as serving on various Canada Council juries (1978-1985). Performances and groups exhibitions include Floor Piece (1968), Japanese Pickled Cabbage (1969), Taping of the International Art Critics (with Michael Morris, 1970), participation in international correspondence activity (1970-1972), The Intermedia Society (1995), Thrown (2004). Solo exhibitions include the Douglas Gallery, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Belkin Satellite. Lewis lives and works in Vancouver.

Excerpted from Ruins in Process - Vancouver Art in the Sixties

• Pamela Ritchie, jewelry artist, Halifax (Saidye Bronfman Award)

• Michèle Cournoyer, animation filmmaker, Montreal

• Mike Hoolboom, filmmaker, Toronto

• Shelagh Keeley, visual artist, Toronto

• Glenn Lewis, visual artist, Vancouver

• Landon Mackenzie, painter, Toronto

• Philip Monk, curator, writer, Toronto (Outstanding Contribution Award)

• Shelley Niro, multimedia artist, Brantford, Six Nations Of The Grand River