Celebrating 50 years at the art gallery
A lineup of several events planned throughout the year, including gala in August
The Art Gallery of Peterborough celebrated its 50th anniversary on Friday, by announcing a lineup of special events that will be held throughout the year.
The AGP was founded on March 15, 1974, and has been an integral part of the community, explained Mayor Jeff Leal.
“On behalf of Peterborough City Council, I want to thank all the staff, the innovative volunteers and the board members who have contributed to making the gallery an organization that reflects the talents of Peterborough region,” he said. “It inspires ideas and conversations about art and is a leader in Peterborough’s exceptional cultural community.”
In addition to preserving the past through its collection, the AGP has always provided a welcoming space to tell stories and share ideas, explained Debby Keating, member of the board of directors for AGP.
“This is a chance for us to recognize and thank our community, our artists, our volunteers, our talented staff and our partners who have been supporting the art gallery of Peterborough for 50 years,” stated Keating in a press release.
AGP has become one of the most distinguished art galleries in the province of Ontario, stated Leal.
“We’ve seen how the art gallery has been built up over the last five decades, starting with a passionate and dedicated group of artists and volunteers who had a vision — an important vision — of enshrining an art gallery in the City of Peterborough,” he said.
“I want to recognize the art gallery
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It inspires ideas and conversations about art and is a leader in Peterborough’s exceptional cultural community. JEFF LEAL MAYOR
and the community for over 50 years of exceptional service to our community.”
In honour of the 50th anniversary, the AGP has a packed itinerary for 2024, explained Celeste Scopelites, gallery director. This includes two exhibitions by local artists, Antoine Mountain’s Ets’ehchi’l and Stan Olthius, along with the 40th annual Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour running Sept. 28-29.
“This two-day event offers the public a unique opportunity to connect with local artists and makers from Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” she said. “Learning about their artistic practice right in the artist’s studio. In 2023, artists recorded total sales just short of $100,000 over our two-day event, generated just over that one weekend.”
Meanwhile, a formal event will be held on Aug. 20, where members of council, sponsors and affiliated groups will celebrate the AGP’s 50th anniversary.
“We want to create a time for true reflection, one that acknowledges the commitment of the many volunteers who established the gallery of Peterborough, not aiming at just sustaining it, but insisting on achieving excellence in every way,” she said. “On August 20th, we will gather special guests, which include representatives from our founding organizations.”