Left to right: Chris and Mary Ann Turnbull, OAG Director and Chief Executive Office, Alexandra Badzak, Member of the OAG Capital Campaign Committee, Tom Houston. Photo courtesy of David Barbour.
The Ottawa Art Gallery has received a major gift of $100,000 by Chris and Mary Ann Turnbull for the Art Now – L’art ici Capital Campaign at OAG Annex Gallery. The gift will be used towards the Art Studio in the new gallery. The Art Studio and the programming in its space aim to inspire innovation and creativity in students and youths. The gift represents the Turnbull’s family dedication to youth, education and the importance of arts in the community.
“We are pleased to be directing our gift to the new Art Studio, where children and youth can pursue their creativity, their knowledge and their enjoyment of art,” said Chris and Mary Ann Turnbull. “We all know the value of art in children’s development. Art is a wonderful expression of creativity and emotions, and it can develop a contemplative and keen sense of observation in the growing minds of our children and grandchildren! Through strong arts education, we learn how to appreciate art, to reflect on our humanity, our culture, and our history.”
In honor of the generous gift, the OAG has collaborated with grade 7 and 8 Ottawa students from the Turnbull School, as well as youth participants from the OAG’s Creative Sunday’s program, to create artwork inspired by the Coast to Coast: Features from the Firestone Collection of Canada Art exhibition.
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The vernissage featuring the students’ work took place on January 28th, with students, proud teachers and parents, along with Mayor Jim Watson in attendance. The evening also celebrated the previously mentioned Coast to Coast exhibition, as well as the Lament of the Natural World exhibition by Ottawa artist Gayle Kells.
“The Ottawa Art Gallery Annex is one of the City’s premiere cultural sites and I am thrilled to once again see that they have put together a great set of winter exhibitions. These exhibitions are always a great showcase for our City’s art and I look forward to seeing future exhibitions soon at the new Arts Court and Ottawa Art Gallery currently under construction,” said Mayor Jim Watson.
Launched in 2015, the Capital Campaign goal was set at $3.5 million for the OAG’s expansion. With the generous donation by the Turnbull family, the campaign is now over the $2 million mark.