During the First and Second World Wars, the Canadian government commissioned artists to document the events, people and machinery mired in the horrors of war.  However, aviation art from the First World War period is limited, since artists concentrated mainly on the activities of the army and navy.  The use of aircraft in combat was still in its infancy at that time.

Aviation art from the Second World War is more common, since the various air forces played a more decisive role in this conflict.  The glamorous image of the air force was heightened by the work of war artists, and the demand for images of aerial activities resulted in many stunning pieces of artwork which are now housed in museums and galleries throughout the world.

In the post-war period, public interest in war art waned.  Aviation art was largely limited to promotional material for aircraft manufacturers and illustrations for books and magazines.  But the enthusiasm among artists for aviation art did not disappear and they continued to produce and exhibit their works.

In 1984 an exhibition of aviation art was mounted during an airshow at Mirabel Airport at Montreal, Quebec.  Twelve Canadian artists submitted a total of seventy pieces to this exhibition.  Besides providing the opportunity for public display of aviation art, the exhibition brought together, for the first time, several artists who would become the founding members of the Canadian Aviation Artists Association.

In June 1989, another major exhibition of aviation art was mounted for the inauguration of the Robert W. Bradford Gallery at the National Aviation in Ottawa, now known as the Canada Aviation Museum.  (Bradford was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996.)

The efforts of the Canada Aviation Museum to promote aviation art in Canada continued after the successful exhibition of Bradford's work.  In 1992 the Museum launched the first Artflight Competition, a juried competition which provides aviation artists the annual opportunity to display their work and have it evaluated by their peers.  Since 1992, more than 850 pieces have been submitted to the competition, and of these, over 300 have been chosen for exhibition.  In addition, more than 100 aviation artists have had their work displayed at the Canada Aviation Museum.

The growing number of aviation artists, as well as the popularity of aviation art further demonstrated the need for an organized aviation artists association.  Following the 1996 Artflight Competition, the Canadian Aviation Artists Association (CAAA) was formed with a clearly stated objective: "To promote and advance the cause of aviation art in Canada."

The CAAA provides aviation artists with opportunities to exchange information and ideas, to display their work to a wide audience and to have it evaluated by their peers.  Advancement and improvement of artists' skills through information exchanges and mentor programs is an important goal of the CAAA.  In addition, the CAAA promotes greater access and awareness of aviation art to the public.

Since 1996 the CAAA has mounted five full-scale juried exhibitions and four regional shows in addition to participation in the Artflight Competitions.  CAAA artists receive commissions from a variety of groups, including the Canadian Armed Forces, museums, galleries, the aviation industry and individuals.  It is a national organization, with chapters throughout the country and a growing membership from Canada, the United States and Britain.  The CAAA produces a quarterly newsletter entitled "AerialViews."  This informative publication provides members with technical information, aviation art news and a venue for them to express their views.

In 2001, the CAAA embarked on two ambitious projects.  The Millennium Project aims to create and display fifty paintings of the most significant aircraft from its members.  To date, the Association has collected thirty works, which are currently on display at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario.  Also in 2001, the CAAA hosted the American Society of Aviation Artists in a joint week-long convention.  This event coincided with the tenth anniversary of the Artflight Competition, and members of both groups were invited to select works for the competition.  This resulted in an exhibit of eighty-four works, the largest aviation art exhibit held in Canada.  Several CAAA artists' works received high honours at this event.

Future plans include hosting the Annual Convention and exhibitions in different locations throughout Canada.  By establishing stronger ties with museums, galleries, historical groups and the aviation industry, the CAAA hopes to reach a wider audience across the country.

With the formation of the CAAA, opportunities or the promotion of and advancement of this unique art form are numerous.  Aviation art enjoys increasing popularity thanks to the dedication of organizations such as the CAAA.  From its origins as war art, aviation art now reaches out to an enthusiastic and growing audience.

Website: www.aviationartists.ca

Back to: Awards for Excellence