David Hunt, Principal, Pine River Institute
Staff, Principal, Pine River institute
Brenda Caron Yates, Cultural Attachee, Canadian Embassy
Paula Bossa, Art Writer
Peter Field, Chief Executive, Risk Waters Group
Keith Muller, Muller Design Group
Greg Murphy, Dean of Visual Arts, Ontario College of Art


March 18, 1998

To whom it may concern,

   I am writing to endorse Sarah Merry's application to your graduate program in Fine Arts. I have known Sarah for four years; she was a student in one of my advanced painting classes at the Ontario College of Art and Design three years ago and we have stayed in touch since her graduation. While at OCAD, Sarah focused her learning on the history and methods of painting, enrolling in figure drawing and figure painting studios, and various other technical courses. Since then, she has consolidated her formal education and life experience, and found a nascent language of her own in a much more personal and poetic imagery.

   As a student, Sarah was diligent and self-motivated: she earned the respect and affection of her instructors and colleagues at OCAD because of her sincerity of purpose and her dedication to learning. She was curious and opinionated but took criticism well and was generous and thoughtful when criticizing the work of other students. Sarah is now well prepared for the increased critical rigour of graduate studies and I recommend her to you with great enthusiasm. If you have need of additional information, please contact me at the College or by email.

Sincerely,

Greg Murphy