Virgil Hammock

2025—Literary Arts

Virgil Hammock

Born in California, Virgil Hammock has been a Canadian citizen since 1973. As a Fine Arts Professor, he taught at the University of Alberta, the University of Manitoba, and at Mount Allison University, where he was Head of the Fine Arts Department, from 1975 until retirement in 2004.

Virgil began writing art criticism in 1968 when he became the critic for the Edmonton Journal. Since then, he has been prolifically published in important Canadian and International Art journals, books and magazines. He has also been deeply involved in the International Association of Art Critics (AICA), as President of the Canadian section for eight years and eventually Vice-President International of AICA.

As an Atlantic Region art critic, Virgil has written many reviews highlighting the work of Maritime artists including indigenous, francophone, the “up and coming” and the “national treasures.”

Starting a blog in 2009, Virgil writes his reflections on the nature of art, on the essence of beauty, and on the importance of the creative act.