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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 13, 2013) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Partners in Art (PIA) - the volunteer-based, not-for-profit group of Toronto contemporary art supporters - was honoured this evening at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) 2013 Award gala. The biennial gala award ceremony was established by MOCCA in 2007 to honour Canadian leaders in contemporary visual art.

Upon receiving the award PIA co-chairs Yvonne Fleck and Mimi Joh announced: "In the continued spirit of collaboration, we're pleased to announce that the generous $25,000 award from MOCCA will be 're-gifted' to the National Gallery of Canada's Venice Biennale fundraising committee in support of the 2013 Canadian artist representative, Shary Boyle."

About Shary Boyle

Shary Boyle is a Canadian artist who works with sculpture, painting, drawing and performance. She is best known for her porcelain figurines. Last year, Boyle was chosen by the National Gallery of Canada to represent Canada at the 55^th Venice Biennale. Boyle's project "Music for Silence" will be installed in the Canadian Pavilion next month in preparation for the official opening of the 2013 Venice Biennale.

"Being chosen as the Canadian representative to Venice Biennale is the highest honour a Canadian contemporary artist can achieve," add Fleck and Joh. "PIA is pleased to be able to assist with the fundraising efforts for the Canadian exhibition by offering this generous award."

About Venice Biennale

Founded in 1895, the Venice Biennale www.labiennale.org is the oldest and most widely recognized cultural event and exhibition in the world of contemporary art. The exhibition occurs once every two years in Venice, Italy. In 2013, the 55^th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale will take place from June 1 to November 24, 2013 with more than 80 countries showcasing official entries.

"PIA has lots to celebrate during its tenth anniversary year and receiving and 're-gifting' the MOCCA Award in Contemporary Art to Shary Boyle was especially important to the organization," add Fleck and Joh. "As we look ahead to the next ten years, PIA plans to continue to build on its current work as well as undertake a greater role in advocacy, with a goal of influencing public policy around contemporary visual arts and supporting our cultural legacy both in Toronto and nationally."

About Partners in Art

Founded in 2002, Partners in Art (PIA) is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit corporation of Toronto art supporters with an interest in promoting the visual arts in Canada in two ways: first, by partnering with established arts organizations on collaborative fund-raising projects; and secondly, by furthering members' own understanding and knowledge of the visual arts through an active education program. For a brief video vignette about PIA click here.

The group cultivates alliances among artists, curators, educators, businesses, and the public to develop vital and exciting contemporary art projects that raise the awareness of Canadian art and artists nationally and internationally. In the past ten years PIA has raised more than $1 million in sponsorship dollars. The group solicits sponsors to fund its activities, organizes fundraising events, and accepts donations from the public.

Last week, PIA announced that it would sponsor the installation of Ai Weiwei's Snake Ceiling (2009) at the AGO. Beginning April 13^th, Snake Ceiling (2009) will hang from the ceiling of the Margaret & Jim Fleck Gallery at the AGO to help promote the upcoming Ai Weiwei: According to What? exhibition, which is slated to appear at the AGO from August 17-October 27, 2013.

For more information visit us at www.partnersinart.ca, follow us on Twitter @partnersinart1 or 'Like' us on Facebook.

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