WAG is at its 3rd location; currently at 449 Dundas
Florence Carlyle collection important asset for local gallery
By
Mark Schadenberg
I
was born on August 14 in the year 1966 in Woodstock, so I will celebrate my 50
years later in the summer.
The
Woodstock Art Gallery (WAG) opened its doors on June 5, 1966 and has just –
therefore – marked its 50th birthday.
I
recall when the art gallery was in the basement of the Woodstock Public Library
and then it moved next door to the library in 1983 in a former manse on Hunter
Street.
In
July of 2011, the WAG moved to its current location at 449 Dundas Street (539-6761)
in a former pharmacy (Shoppers Drug Mart / Big V). The expensive renovation was
made possible through fundraising, City tax payers and a grant from Build
Canada.
The
works of Florence Carlyle (1864-1923) have always been among the focus of the
gallery, and her works and Joe Lima’s (Born 1963) are part of a program
announced last month. (Read the Heart FM story below). According to the WAG
website, they own about 75 pieces of original Carlyle works.
The
WAG has something for everyone. I realize this is a cliché or an old adage, but
my children have attended summer camps at the gallery. A fun idea for your
child’s next birthday party is to book the big studio room they have.
If
you want to be a sculptor, or learn how to draw or paint, contact the WAG today
as they also operate courses, which are taught by many area artists such as
Debbie Thompson Wilson, Tracey-Mae Chambers, Wesley Bates and Paulina Szczesny.
The
group Friends Of The Woodstock Art Gallery were recently recognized with a
volunteerism award by the June Callwood foundation and the provincial
government. If you know someone who should be recognized province-wide, the
deadline for this year’s nominations is Dec. 15.
I’m
not sure if this is a unique offering from an art gallery, but at WAG you can
rent pieces of art so you may display it at your home or office, or your home
office. It is commonly understood that art galleries always have an abundance
of world-class art in storage, so this is an opportunity for WAG to gain some
revenue and for you to promote local artists as well. Rental rates range from
$10 to $80 per month and are based on the value of the art.
Lots of additional details can be watched in this Tourism Oxford video as posted on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Sp--8MoL8
Mary Reid is the current curator and the staff includes Stephanie Porter as education officer and Roberta Grosland as head of collections and exhibits. Similar to all City facilities, the WAG has an advisory board.
Lots of additional details can be watched in this Tourism Oxford video as posted on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Sp--8MoL8
Mary Reid is the current curator and the staff includes Stephanie Porter as education officer and Roberta Grosland as head of collections and exhibits. Similar to all City facilities, the WAG has an advisory board.
Reid
says the Dundas Street location has been important to the gallery.
“We’re
on the main street, and fully accessible,” she said in the What’s On Woodstock
edition of June. “There are no barriers here. I think this makes a difference
in how we serve our clientele.
“It
is the art gallery’s mission to make it a place for everyone to enjoy, from
taking in our programs, experiencing our exhibitions, and purchasing works by
local artists in our gift shop,” Reid added.
The
gallery is planning a large birthday party for itself, but not until Canada’s
150 celebrations occur as the art gallery was a Centennial project, so the cake
will be served on April 29, 2017.
LINKS:
Promoting everything Woodstock;
Promoting living in Woodstock too!
Mark Schadenberg, Sales
Representative
Senior Real Estate Specialist
(SRES designation)
Royal LePage Triland Realty
Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
(519) 537-1553, cell or text
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland
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