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PHILLIPS, Mary Martha

Born
Montreal, 1856
Died
Montreal, 1937
Biography synopsis
Mary Martha (May) Phillips studied at the Art Association of Montreal and then at the Art Students League in New York City, after which she taught at St. John’s School before returning to Montreal. From 1890-1909 she exhibited at the Art Association of Montreal, the Ontario Society of Artists, the Women's Art Association and the Royal Canadian Academy. The Royal Canadian Academy sent one of her works to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. In 1892 Phillips and Harriette J. MacDonnell were co-principals of Victoria School of Art in Montreal. By 1895 Phillips was the sole principal of the newly named School of Art and Applied Design. In 1894, Phillips was a key founder of The Women's Art Association (Montreal Branch), and its successor, the Women's Art Society (1907), serving as president for ten years. She worked with Mary Ella Dignam of Toronto on the sub-committee of Arts, Handicrafts, Drama and Music to produce the NCWC book, Women of Canada, for the Paris International Exhibition of 1900. She and Dignam publicly split over handicrafts promotion in Canada. In 1905 Phillips and Alice Peck co-founded the Canadian Handicrafts Guild (CHG) in Montreal, with Phillips its first president. For over thirty years, Phillips worked to foster Canadian arts and crafts by establishing a sales shop in downtown Montreal and a national, annual crafts exhibition at the Art Association of Montreal. She traveled throughout western Canada in 1910 promoting new branches of the CHG and collecting crafts for the annual exhibition. In the 1920s she supervised craft classes for immigrant children in Montreal, and headed the CHG education committee. Honored in her obituary for founding the Junior Red Cross, today Phillips is recognized for her leadership in several arts organizations and her significant contribution to the Canadian Handicrafts Guild. (Special thanks to Ellen Easton McLeod for researching this artist.)
Memberships
Women's Art Association of Montreal
File & Archive locations
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts / Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, QC
Canadian Women Artists History Initiative Documentation Centre, QC
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Writings about
"Art Exhibition: Water Colours, Statuary and Miniatures." Montreal Daily Witness 6 Apr. 1897
"Art Notes." Week (Toronto) 13 Apr. 1894: 470
"Bright Scene at Art Gallery: Auspicious Opening of the Spring Exhibit Last Night." Star (Montreal) 5 Apr. 1898
"Exhibition: Some of the Striking Pictures of the Exhibition." Star (Montreal) 2 Apr. 1897
"Junior Red Cross Founder is Dead." Daily Star (Montreal) 19 Apr. 1937
"La Kermesse: Galérie des Beaux-Arts." La Presse (Montreal) 16 Oct. 1895
"Le Salon de L'Art Association." Les Nouvelles 11 Apr. 1897: 5-6
"Les Petites Expositions." La Patrie (Montreal) 19 Nov. 1925: 18
"Montreal Society." Toronto Saturday Night 23.10 (18 Dec. 1909): 19
"Mrs. Jas. Peck, Noted Social Worker, was Associated with this Community." Lachute Watchman 11 Nov. 1943: 7
"The Art Gallery: Further Review of the Exhibition's Pictures." Herald (Montreal) 30 Apr. 1892
"The First Studio Day." Gazette (Montreal) 4 Nov. 1895: 6
"The Spring Exhibition." Gazette (Montreal) 28 Feb. 1895: 2
Alfoldy, Sandra. Crafting Identity: The Development of Professional Fine Craft in Canada. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2005
Alfoldy, Sandra. "An Intricate Web(b): American Influences on Professional Craft in Canada, 1964-1974." Artichoke 13.4 (2002): 16-20
Arcadia Magazine. "Victoria School of Art." Arcadia Magazine 1.3 (Nov. 1892): 260
Bannerman, Jean. Leading Ladies Canada 1639-1967. Galt, Ontario: Highland Press, 1967
Bell, Celina. "McCord Exhibition Celebrates a Century of Fostering Feminist Artistic Achievement: 100 Years of Women in Art." Gazette (Montreal) 8 Jan. 1994
Bertrand, Magdeleine. Les Femmes artistes du Québec de 1875 à 1925. Montreal: Université de Montréal, 1990
Black, Alexander. "Women Artists in Canada, With Original Illustrations by the Women's Art Association of Canada." Monthly Illustrator 2.6 (1894): 178-82
Bottomley, Mrs. H. "Report from Mrs. H. Bottomley on the Winnipeg Exhibition, and Her Visit to the Doukhobor Settlement". Canadian Handicrafts Guild Annual Report for the Year 1911. 1911
Broadhurst, Maura Lesley. Strategic Spaces: towards a Genealogy of Women Artists' Groups in Canada. Montreal: Concordia University, 1998
Collard, Edgar Andrew. "City's First Apartment Building in Danger." Gazette (Montreal) 14 Feb. 1987: B2
Dignam, Mary Ella. "Art, Handicrafts, Music and Drama." Women of Canada: Their Life and Work. Ottawa: Minister of Agriculture, 1900
Dowsett, Kathleen. The Women's Art Association of Canada and its Designs on Canadian Handicraft. Kingston, Ontario: Queen's University, 1998
Doyle, Lynn C. "Art." Saturday Night 9.21(11 Apr. 1896): 9
Flood, Sandra. Canadian Craft and Museum Practice, 1900-1950 Hull: Canadian Museum of Civilization, 2001
Flood, Sandra. "Craft in Canada: Overview and Points from 'Canadian Craft and Museum Practice 1900-1950' " Exploring Contemporary Craft. Toronto: Coach House Press and Harbourfront Centre, 2002
Gauld, Norma. "Histoire marquée au Coin de l'Art (Alice Peck and May Phillips: The Women Who Founded the Canadian Handicrafts Guild, Montreal 1905, Séminaire de la Série Savoir Faire Présenté par Ellen McLeod)." Nouvelles: Bibliothèque Nationale 30.5 (May 1998): 11
Harper, J. Russell. Early Painters and Engravers in Canada Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1970
Haskins, Heather Victoria. Bending the Rules: The Montreal Branch of the Woman's Art Association of Canada, 1894-1900. Montreal: Concordia University, 1995
Holowach-Amiot, Elaine. The Women's Art Society of Montreal: A Century of Commitment to the Arts. Montreal: McCord Museum of Canadian History, 1994
Kassis, Marie-Paule. "Une Association Culturelle au Feminin." L'Express d'Outremont/Mont-Royal 24 Feb. 2005
Lash, Rochelle. "Circling the World in a Night." Gazette (Montreal) 9 Feb. 2000: F5
McCord Museum and McGill University. The End of an Era: Montreal 1880-1914. Montreal: McCord Museum and McGill University, 1977
McLeod, Ellen. Enterprising Women and the Early History of the Canadian Handicrafts Guild, 1905-1936. Ottawa: Carleton University, 1995
McLeod, Ellen. "A Legacy of Female Leadership." Inuit Art Quarterly 14.3 (Fall 1999): 18-22
McLeod, Ellen. "Alice Peck, May Phillips and the Canadian Handicrafts Guild." Framing Our Past: Canadian Women's History in the Twentieth Century. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001
McLeod, Ellen Mary Easton. In Good Hands: The Women of the Canadian Handicrafts Guild. Ottawa: Carleton University Press, 1999
McLeod, Ellen; Translated by François Beaudin. "La Société Canadienne des Métiers du Terroir: A l'Origine de la Guilde Canadienne des Métiers d'Art Québec." Paroles, Gestes et Mémoires 3.2 (Atmn. 1996)
McMann, Evelyn de Rostaing. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Formerly Art Association of Montreal: Spring Exhibitions, 1880-1970. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1988
McMann, Evelyn de Rostaing. Royal Canadian Academy of Arts/Académie royale des arts du Canada: Exhibitions and Members 1880-1979 Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1981
Morgan, Henry James. The Canadian Men and Women of the Time: A Handbook of Canadian Biography. Toronto: William Briggs, 1898
Peck, Mrs. James. "From the Canadian Handicrafts Guild Through Mrs. James H. Peck." Royal Society of Canada Proceedings and Transactions 11.2 (1905): 130-4
Peck, Mrs. James. "The Canadian Handicraft Movement." NCWC Yearbook. Winnipeg: National Council of Women of Canada, 1904
Petteys, Chris, et al. Dictionary of Women Artists: An International Dictionary of Women Artists Born Before 1900. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1985
Savage, Anne. "Address by Mrs. Savage." Canadian Handicrafts Guild Annual Report for the Year 1911 1911
Simmins, Geoffrey. "Arts and Crafts in Canada." The Canadian Encyclopedia Historica. Toronto: Historica Foundation of Canada, 2001
Watt, Virginia. "The First National Craft Organization in Canada." A Treasury of Canadian Craft. Vancouver: The Canadian Craft Museum, 1992: 33-8

Writings by
Burns, Elizabeth Rollit; Illustrated by Mary M. Phillips. Little Canadians. unknown: Desbarats & Company, 1899
Phillips, Mary M. "Are Handicrafts a Factor in National Up-Building?" Ottawa Journal 2 Mar. 1912
Phillips, Mary M. "Diary of Trip Around the World, October 15, 1903 - May 3, 1904." Deligny, Armstrong, Phillips, Bentham Collection 1722-1937 (Mrs. W.A. Phillips Papers). Montreal: McCord Museum, 1904
Phillips, Mary M. "Fumes from Cars." Times 1 Apr. 1932: 8
Phillips, Mary M. "History of the Handicrafts Movement in Montreal, January 23, 1906." Women's Art Society of Montreal Files (Box 6). Montreal: McCord Museum, 1906
Phillips, Mary M. "Home Arts and Handicrafts." NCWC Yearbook London, Ontario: National Council of Women of Canada, 1901: 138-40
Phillips, Mary M. "Memoranda Diary and Ledger of 1910 Trip West." Canadian Guild of Crafts Archives Montreal: Canadian Guild of Crafts, 1910
Phillips, Mary M. "Report of the Educational Committee for Year Ending... (various)." Canadian Handicrafts Guild Annual Report for the Year... (various) place unknown: Canadian Guild of Crafts Archives, 192?
Phillips, Mary M. "Report of the Expenditure of Grant." unknown place unknown: Canadian Guild of Crafts, Dec. 1910
Phillips, Mary M. "School of Art and Applied Design (List of Classes)." Deligny, Armstrong, Phillips, Bentham Collection 1722-1937 (Mrs. W. A. Phillips Papers). Montreal: McCord Museum, ?

Full text pdfs of exhibition reviews
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "At the Art Gallery. Many Prominent People Present at the Opening Last Night."  Montreal Herald  .  p.8.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) W.M..  "Canadian Art. To the Editor of the Gazette."  Gazette (Montreal)  .  p.7.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "The Art Gallery. Further Review of the Exhibition's Pictures."  Montreal Herald  .  p.5.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - Sketch Club Exhibition: (89 Canada Life Building, ) "General News of the City. Interesting Exhibition by the Women's Art Club"  Globe  .  p.8.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, ) "Ontario Society of Artists."  Globe (Toronto)  .  p. 4.   Full-text pdf
Royal Canadian Academy Annual Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "The Art Gallery. The Exhibition of Watercolors a Good One."  Montreal Star  .  p.3.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, ) "Ontario Art Exhibition. The Annual Collection of the Society of Artists- a Splendid Showing of Oils and Watercolours."  Globe  .  p. 17.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - Sixth Annual Spring Exhibition: (89 Canada Life Building, ) "Art Notes"  Toronto Saturday Night  .  p.6.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - Sixth Annual Spring Exhibition: (89 Canada Life Building, ) "The Woman's Art Association"  The Week (Toronto)  .  p.472.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Mtl) - Sketch Exhibition: (YMCA Studio, ) "Women's Art Association"  Gazette (Montreal)  .  p.3.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "The Spring Exhibition. Many Fine New Pictures will be Hung this Year in the Art Association Gallery."  Gazette (Montreal)  .  p.2.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "The Art Gallery. Oil and Water Color Paintings on Exhibition. Some of the Best Pictures Described."  Montreal Herald  .  p.8.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - 3rd Annual Sketch Club Exhibition: (89 Canada Life Building, ) "Untitled"  Toronto Saturday Night  .  p.9.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - 9th Annual Spring Exhibition: (Robert's Art Galleries, ) "Woman's Art Association. Annual Exhibition of Paintings by Members of the Association-Other Cities Represented."  Globe and Mail (Toronto)  .  p.6.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "The Spring Exhibition. Some of the Striking Pictures of the Exhibition."  Montreal Star  .  p.5.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "Art Exhibition. Water Colors, Statuary and Miniatures."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  .  p.12.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) G. de Werthemer.  "Le salon de L'"Art Association." Aquarelles."  Les Nouvelles (Montreal)  .  p.7.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, ) James Mavor.  "Ontario Artists. Notice of Exhibits at the Annual Display. Several Good pictures."  Globe (Toronto)  .  p.10.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - Annual Sketch Exhibition: (89 Canada Life Building, ) "Studio and Gallery"  Toronto Saturday Night  .  p.15.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "Bright Scene at Art Gallery. Auspicious Opening of the Spring Exhibit Last Night."  Montreal Star  .  p.4.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - Tenth Annual Spring Exhibition: (Robert's Art Galleries, ) "Art and Artists. Tenth Annual Exhibition of the W.A.A. Water Colors the Feature. Some Noted Canvases by Distinguished Artists. Contributions from Montreal, Hamilton, Brockville and Kingston - Toronto Well Represented - The Trend of Art."  Globe and Mail (Toronto)  .  p.5.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "Ladies Contribute. Much Clever Work Sent to Art Exhibition by Gentler Sex."  Montreal Star  .  p.22.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Mtl) - Exhibition of Arts & Handicrafts: (Morgan's Colnl. Art Galry, ) "Interesting Show. Arts and Handicrafts Exhibition Opened Yesterday. The Exhibits are Varied. Lace, Needlework, Wood and Metal Work, Ceramics, Jewellery, Bookbinding and Illustrating Are All Represented."  Gazette (Montreal)  .  p.6.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - Thirteenth Annual Exhibition: (Confederation Life Bldng, ) "Work of Lady Artists. Exhibition of the Woman's Art Association. Choice and Attractive Studies of Life and Scenery - "Private View Day" a Great Success."  Globe and Mail (Toronto)  .  p.12.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "The Spring Exhibition. A Good Average Showing of Pictures by Canadian Artists."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  .  p.6.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "The Spring Exhibition. Final Notice."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  .  p.4.   Full-text pdf
Royal Canadian Academy Annual Exhibition.: (Toronto, ) "Royal Academy Exhibition."  Montreal Witness  .  p.2.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, ) "Exhibition of Art. High Water Mark Reached in This Year's Spring Showing in Art Galleries. Stricter Standard Set."  Gazette (Montreal)  .  p.9.   Full-text pdf

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