Our friend and colleague Jean Johnson was one unstoppable force.  A force to be reckoned with.  A force of nature.  A driving force.  A tour de force.
She was one totally remarkable human being.

 I first met Jean almost exactly 40 years ago when I was a young upstart in the art world and she was the grand dame of the Merton Gallery.  In fact, Jean sold me my first work of art, a spectacular ceramic slab by Angelo di Petta, that I could ill afford but fell in love with.  I think that, and Jean’s prodding, kick-started my passion for the world of craft.  From the outset, Jean was always a champion of craftspeople, advocating the breaking down of barriers between the worlds of art and craft and she worked tirelessly for this cause throughout her illustrious career.  She took no prisoners when it came to the issue of the importance of craft and the pre-eminence of our home grown Canadian talent. One could not have found a more vocal and passionate and persistent advocate.

Back in those Merton Gallery days I made sure that I attended every opening, even though at each and every one I would always have to reintroduce myself to Jean because for some reason she could never remember my name (Bill being so complex I guess).  In her best doyenne manner, she would always politely but firmly say: “And what was your name again?”  Finally, after the umpteenth repetition of this question at every opening over several years, in complete frustration, I said: “My name is Herman”… and from then on that was what Jean called me.  For four decades we have sent each other notes and left phone messages… to Herman she’d say, love Henrietta.  I was always Herman to Jean and she’ll always be Henrietta to me.

 Jean and I worked together at Harbourfront Centre for more than 25 years.  In fact she was close to the normal retirement age back in the early 1980’s when I started here and from that point on, every year like clockwork she would say to me, ” Herman, if you make me retire it will kill me!”.  Finally at age 84, as the oldest Harbourfront staff member by 20 years, she decided to let go of the reins and retire from her Craft Studio position.  But then, in the flash of an eye, she became even busier with all of her other interests.  As many of you know, we hosted celebrations of Jean’s 60th birthday, her 70th birthday, her 80th birthday as well as her Order of Canada party right here so I know she is with us tonight celebrating in spirit.  And she would love being the center of attention.

In April and May this year she was here in all her glory for two parties, the opening of our revitalized Craft and Design Studio and the dedication of this building and, as always, she was right in the heart of the action.  On May 5th she wrote to me: “That was one of the very best Harbourfront parties ever.  Thank you for your support in my work for Canadian craft and most importantly the artists.”  After the opening of the new Studio premises in April she wrote: “It was a BLAST!  The Studio today is an amazing miracle.  It takes my breath away.  Harbourfront is the BEST.  I’m speechless and so thrilled by the possibilities for the future.”  That was Jean.

All of us gathered here tonight know Jean’s incredible contribution over so many decades to the advancement of Canadian craft and Canadian artists.  The Harbourfront Craft and Design Studio would simply not be here without her driving passion and relentless persistence from its very beginning.  Age or time never diminished her commitment and enthusiasm for Canadian craft and our Craft Studio.  How incredibly lucky we were to have captured her attention and her imagination.

Tonight I am proud to announce that we have dedicated a bench in Jean’s honour, in our newly christened Ontario Square, set amid the trees and the wild flowers, directly outside of her beloved Craft Studio.  I know that would please her.  And each and every year, to carry on her pioneering work at Harbourfront Centre, we will be featuring the Jean Johnson Annual Memorial Lecture, presenting a thought provoking presentation on current issues facing craft in Canada.

Jean’s presence and unwavering support and commitment have formed a bedrock for craft at Harbourfront Centre. Jean Johnson. Henrietta.
May her force always be with us.