HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Blyth Festival 2000, 2000-06-21, Page 36PAGE 12. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2000.
Festival Gallery marks 25 years of showing area’s art
Bev and Ron Walker, gallery co-founders, and their daughter
Tammy enjoy the opening of the first show in the Bainton Gallery
in 1990.
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
covered the gamut of artwork,
offering visitors a glimpse of others’
visions.
Having begun with a simple knock
on the appropriate door. The Blyth
Festival Art Gallery is celebrating its
25th anniversary this season.
It is a quarter century of exhibiting
renown Canadian artisans as well as
providing first time artists an
opportunity to display their work.
From fabric creations, delicate oils
and water colours to photography,
sculpture and pottery, the gallery has
Ron and Bev Walker of the Blyth
area, were there at the beginning and
moved with the gallery as it grew.
Back in 1975 the Blyth Festival’s
had been formed when festival
founding artistic director James Roy
approached the Walkers one spring
day.
“He just knocked on our door and
said, ‘You want to start a gallery?’ ”
Ron Walker remembers.
In 1989 Gallery visitors enjoyed exquisite quilts in what, the Walkers
say, is one of the most memorable of the gallery’s shows.
Based on that request, the first
exhibit was prepared for showing in
the basement ot Memorial Hall in
I975.
The Walkers remember that first
show, which displayed local artists
as well as the works of Toronto
friends.
“We sent someone into the street
with a bottle of wine, offering
drinks, to get people to come inside,”
they laughed.
The gallery eventually moved to
Stewart’s grocery store, once in the
building where the theatre
administration is housed, then to the
loading dock area of the theatre, now
the Blyth Library.
In the early years, the gallery was
supported by the Ontario Arts
Council through grants.
By 1977, the gallery committee
was bringing in extension shows
through the auspices of The Art
Gallery of Ontario. Workshops were
hosted and secondary and
elementary school art displays were
featured.
In 1979, the committee was able to
organize workshops themselves,
held a juried show and brought in
exquisite quilts created by local
women.
The co-founders are also proud of
the aboriginal artists' exhibits which
have been shown at the gallery over
the years. Many of those shown 20
years ago, such as Leland Bell and
Carl Bean, have gone on to
impressive careers.
During the 1980s, the gallery
opened its doors to community
displays and the first photographic
show was held.
Betty Battye of Blyth also became
involved with the gallery during
these years. She was the driving
force behind the huge elementary art
show which was held in 1983.
It wasn't until 1990 that the
gallery moved to its permanent
home in the newly-constructed
connecting link between the
administration offices and Memorial
Hall. It was rededicated as The
Bainton Gallery the following year.
“We did it all by the seat of our
pants,” said Ron.
“It was a lot of fun when we were
in Stewart’s store,” added Bev. “The
theatre had the box office at the back
of the building so people had to walk
through the gallery to purchase their
tickets.”
That concept was carried over
when the gallery relocated to the
loading dock in an effort to
maximize visibility for the exhibits.
Throughout its entire history, the
gallery has worked under the
umbrella of the Blyth Centre for the
Arts, maintaining the same mandate
as the theatre by providing an
opportunity for Canadian artists
whether established or just
beginning.
“We encourage the visual arts, but
specifically for area artists,” said
Ron.
Themes of gallery seasons have
often been tied to the general theme
of the theatre season as well, said
Ron.
As the current chair of the
exhibition committee, Jerry
McDonnell said he became involved
with the committee because of a
personal interest.
Whether seeking out works by
known artists or looking at
submissions, McDonnell said the
committee looks for work that would
appeal to the theatre audience, but
not something they see every day.
“We have to remember many of our
patrons are theatre-goers first. They
don’t visit galleries regularly.”
Though he said landscapes are
always a favourite, they look for art
forms which may have not been
displayed for some time or are
unique.
For the first show of the season,
the gallery will celebrate its
anniversary by inviting back several
artists who have displayed work in
the past. The show, which opens
June 23, will feature works which
have been purchased through the
gallery.
McDonnell said, “This
retrospective will be very special.”
“The gallery is a cultural icon.”
said Ron. “It is prestigious to have
work hung here and be seen by
thousands of people.”
“Being involved with the gallery
has been a wonderful experience for
everyone. It has been a growing
experience for us as individuals and
for the community. It has brought a
new aspect of culture to Huron
County which should be celebrated,
nurtured and enhanced.”
It is also important to note that all
the work undertaken by the gallery
committee is strictly on a voluntary
basis.
The Bainton Gallery is not
considered permanent as it does not
have its own’collection to display. It
operates through a series of shows.
It is the only non-profit public
gallery in Huron County.
Don, Lenore & Staff
Blyth Festiva
26th Season
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