The Durham West Arts Centre is a 'hub' organization working to establish links with artists, arts groups and arts lovers. We host exhibitions, activities and events at the Centre as attractors. We want to meet and talk to the groups and individuals who are willing to help build the infrastructure for a permanent arts centre in Ajax-Pickering.

Size 8+ --an exhibition with art works to fit everyone
From July 22 to September 10th, seven artists display 33 works at the Durham West Arts Centre. Ruth Abernethy, after whose three laser-laced steel shoes, this exhibition is named, is best known for her sculpture of Glenn Gould sitting outside CBC in Toronto. "Emily's Bounty", a bronze inspired by her grandmother's challenge raising ten children during the 1930's, "Willow Vessel" an homage to senior women and "Mobius Stripper", a tribute to a mathematical construct are the other three works on exhibit.

Local sculptor, Edward Falkenberg, whose works are internationally known, brings four works from his Paradise Revisited Series. These constructions of wood and aluminum will seem familiar to local residents as they are reminiscent of "Dreamscape" an imposing sculpture at the eastern entrance to the Pickering Shopping Centre. Gail George, Joan Attersley and Wayne T. Headley are the other artists connected to Durham Region. Award-winning Quad colorist, Gail George, has nine mixed media works in the show; Joan Attersley, another award-winning Quad colorist from Whitby, is showing six works-acrylics, mixed media and an oil monotype called "To Seek Within". Patricia Whittle, currently a Bracebridge resident, lived in Durham for 30 years. Four of her displayed works are silk screen monotypes with her fifth work "Autumnal Spirits - Georgian Bay" being created with fluid acrylics. The three sculptures by Wayne T. Headley demonstrate that talent runs in the family. Wayne is the grandson of renowned West Indian sculptor Sir Alvin Marriott. Finally, Wesley Rickert, whose sculpture series The Metamorphoses almost sold out in New York, installs two of his Metamorphoses in the terrace area of the Durham West Arts Centre.

Mr. Rickert, like Mr. Falkenberg a member of the Sculpture Society of Canada, will take his works out of their concrete bases and home to Breslau when the show closes Sept. 10th. Size 8+ previews from July 22 to 26th. Members of the public may meet the artists, free of charge, on Opening Night July 27th between 7-9 p.m.

The Durham West Arts Centre is at 72B Old Kingston Road in Pickering Village. Please click here for Directions and Hours of Operation